Planning to visit Australia for a holiday, a family visit, a short business trip, a graduation ceremony, or a special event? The Visitor visa Subclass 600 is one of the most common visa options for people who want to visit Australia temporarily. However, one of the biggest questions applicants ask is about the Subclass 600 processing times & cost .
The answer depends on the visa stream, where you apply from, how complete your documents are, and whether the Department of Home Affairs needs extra checks. The official processing time guide is updated regularly and is based on recently decided applications. But it does not guarantee that every application will be finalised within the published timeframe.
Subclass 600 Processing Times and Cost
As of July 2026, the main Subclass 600 processing times & cost are:
Subclass 600 Stream | Government Visa Fee | Current Processing Time Guide |
Tourist stream — apply outside Australia | AUD 250 | 7 days to 24 days |
Tourist stream — apply inside Australia | AUD 630 | Check official guide |
Business Visitor stream | AUD 250 | 3 days to 15 days |
Sponsored Family stream | AUD 250 | 27 days to 8 weeks |
Frequent Traveller stream | AUD 1,845 | - |
Approved Destination Status stream | AUD 250 | - |
The Department of Home Affairs lists AUD 250 for several offshore Visitor visa streams, AUD 630 for the Tourist stream applied inside Australia, and AUD 1,845 for the Frequent Traveller stream. The stream-wise processing-time figures above are based on publicly available processing-time data sourced from the Department of Home Affairs.
What Is the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa?
The Visitor visa Subclass 600 allows eligible applicants to visit Australia temporarily for tourism, family visits, business visitor activities or approved visitor purposes. It can be useful for parents visiting international students, families attending graduation ceremonies, tourists, conference attendees and business travellers.
The basic eligibility requirements include:
- A genuine visitor
- Enough funds to support your stay and leave Australia
- Meeting the visa conditions attached to your grant.
The Department of Home Affairs describes the Subclass 600 visa as a visa for tourists, business visitors, or people visiting family for 3, 6, or 12 months.
Subclass 600 Visa Streams Explained
Tourist Stream - Apply Outside Australia
This stream is for applicants outside Australia who want to visit as tourists, go on a cruise, or visit family and friends. Parents, relatives and friends of students or residents in Australia commonly use it.
The current government visa fee is AUD 250 . The latest publicly available processing-time snapshot shows the Tourist stream at 7 days to 24 days , with a median of 16 days and 90% of applications finalised within 33 days, based on data verified from the Department of Home Affairs on 6 July 2026.
Tourist Stream - Apply Inside Australia
This stream is for people already in Australia who want to stay longer as visitors. The current government visa fee is AUD 630 . Applicants should be careful before applying from inside Australia, especially if their current visa has a “No Further Stay” condition or if they are close to visa expiry.
Business Visitor Stream
The Business Visitor stream is for short business activities such as attending conferences, making business enquiries, negotiating contracts or joining trade fairs. It does not allow paid work in Australia or the provision of services to the Australian public.
The current government visa fee is AUD 250 . The latest stream-wise processing data show the Business Visitor stream at 3-15 days , with a median of 6 days and 90% of applications finalised within 26 days.
Sponsored Family Stream
The Sponsored Family stream is for applicants sponsored by an eligible family member in Australia. It is often used when a family member wants to support the visit formally. In some cases, the Department may request a security bond.
The current government visa fee is AUD 250 . The latest stream-wise processing data shows the Sponsored Family stream at 27 days to 8 weeks , with a median of 42 days and 90% of applications finalised within 86 days.
Frequent Traveller Stream
The Frequent Traveller stream is designed for eligible passport holders who travel to Australia often. It can allow multiple visits over a longer validity period, with each stay usually limited to a shorter visit period. The current government visa fee is AUD 1,845 .
Why Subclass 600 Processing Times Can Vary
Visa processing time is not fixed. Processing times can vary according to:
- The application has all required supporting documents
- The system is lodged online
- How quickly the applicant responds to requests
- Character and national security checks
- Application complexity
- Changes in application volumes and changes to Ministerial Directions
This means two applicants applying under the same stream can receive outcomes at different times. A simple, well-documented tourist application may be decided quickly, while an application with missing documents, an unclear travel purpose, or additional health or character checks may take longer.
It is also important not to rely only on the broad “Visitor” category median.
Subclass 600 Cost Breakdown
The main cost is the Visa Application Charge , but it may not be the only cost. Applicants should budget for possible additional expenses.
Cost Type | Estimated Amount |
Visa application charge - Tourist offshore | AUD 250 |
Visa application charge - Tourist onshore | AUD 630 |
Visa application charge - Business Visitor | AUD 250 |
Visa application charge -Sponsored Family | AUD 250 |
Visa application charge - Frequent Traveller | AUD 1,845 |
Payment surcharge | Depends on payment method |
Biometrics | Depends on country/location |
Health examination | Depends on medical provider |
Document translation/certification | Depends on provider |
Migration consultation or application support | Depends on service provider |
Travel insurance | Depends on age, trip length and coverage |
Visa fees can change, and Home Affairs confirms that visa costs depend on the date the Department receives the application. The current visa pricing table was last updated on 1 July 2026.
Payment surcharges may also apply. Some applicants may also need biometrics or health examinations. Home Affairs says biometrics are incorporated into visa applications in certain countries, and temporary visa applicants may need health examinations depending on the visa, length of stay, country risk, planned activities and special circumstances.
What Documents are Needed for Subclass 600?
A decision-ready application is one of the best ways to reduce avoidable delays. Home Affairs advises visitor visa applicants to include a few items to help with the visa process.
For most Subclass 600 applications, useful documents may include:
- Passport biodata page
- National ID or birth certificate, if relevant
- Bank statements and income evidence
- Employment letter, business documents or study enrolment evidence
- Leave approval from employer
- Family ties or property evidence
- Invitation letter from family or friends in Australia
- Event registration, graduation invitation or conference letter
- Travel itinerary
- Previous visa and travel history
- Translated and certified documents, if required
Home Affairs also recommends submitting visitor visa applications well ahead of travel and booking flights only after the visa is granted.
Common Reasons for Subclass 600 Visa Delays
Subclass 600 delays often happen because the decision-maker needs more information. Common issues include incomplete financial documents, unclear source of funds, weak homecountry ties, inconsistent travel dates, missing invitation letters, delayed biometrics, delayed health examinations, prior visa refusals, previous overstays or unclear purpose of visit.
For Sponsored Family applications, delays may also occur if sponsorship documents are incomplete or if a security bond is requested. For Business Visitor applications, the purpose of the trip should be clearly supported by business invitations, conference details or employer letters.
When Should You Apply for a Subclass 600 Visa?
Apply as early as possible, especially if your travel is linked to a fixed event such as a graduation, family ceremony, medical support visit, conference or school holiday. Even if some visitor visas are processed quickly, you should not assume your application will be finalised in the shortest published timeframe.
A practical approach is to lodge your application only when the documents are complete, and the purpose of travel is clear. Applying early with weak documents is not better than applying with a decision-ready file.
Can PFEC Global Help With Visa Subclass 600?
Yes. PFEC Global can help applicants understand the correct Subclass 600 stream, review document readiness, identify possible risk factors and prepare a stronger visitor visa application. This is especially useful for parents of international students, family visitors, applicants with previous refusals. Long-stay visitors, business travellers and people applying from inside Australia will also get benefitted.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How long does a Subclass 600 visa take in 2026?
Current stream-wise processing data show the Tourist stream at 7 to 24 days, the Business Visitor stream at 3 to 15 days, and the Sponsored Family stream at 27 days to 8 weeks. These are indicative timeframes only and do not guarantee an outcome date.
2. How much does a Subclass 600 visa cost?
The current fee is AUD 250 for several offshore streams, including Tourist, Business Visitor and Sponsored Family. The Tourist stream applied inside Australia costs AUD 630, while the Frequent Traveller stream costs AUD 1,845.
3. Can I work in Australia on a Subclass 600 visa?
No. The Subclass 600 is a visitor visa, not a work visa. Business Visitor stream holders can do limited business visitor activities, but they cannot undertake paid work in Australia.
4. Why is my Subclass 600 visa taking longer than expected?
Your visa may take longer if documents are missing, extra checks are required, biometrics or health examinations are delayed, or the Department needs more information. Processing times also change based on application volumes and case complexity.
5. Should I book flights before my visitor visa is granted?
Home Affairs recommends booking flights after the visa is granted. This helps reduce financial risk if processing takes longer than expected or the application is refused.
6. Is the Subclass 600 visa fee refundable if refused?
Generally, the visa application charge is paid for processing the application, not for a guaranteed outcome. Applicants should prepare carefully before lodgement to reduce the risk of refusal.
