Visitor Visa Subclass 600

Purpose: To visit Australia temporarily for tourism, visiting family or friends, medical treatment, or business activities.

The Subclass 600 Visitor Visa allows individuals to stay in Australia temporarily for purposes such as tourism, family visits, medical treatment, or business activities. It includes five different streams, each catering to a specific purpose of travel. The visa can be applied for both onshore and offshore, depending on the stream and applicant’s location.

1. Tourist Stream (Onshore/Offshore)

Purpose: To visit Australia for a holiday, recreation, or to visit family and friends.

This stream is for people who want to come to Australia as tourists, for holidays, or to visit family or friends. It can be applied for both from within Australia (onshore) or from outside (offshore).

Criteria	Details
Visa Subclass	600 – Tourist Stream
Type	Temporary
Application	Onshore or Offshore
Stay	Up to 12 months
Work Rights	No work allowed
Study Rights	Up to 3 months
Family	Cannot include dependents

2. Sponsored Family Stream

Purpose: To visit family in Australia with formal sponsorship by an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

This stream is for applicants who want to visit their family in Australia and are sponsored by an eligible family member. A security bond may be requested. You must apply from outside Australia.

Criteria	Details
Visa Subclass	600 – Sponsored Family Stream
Type	Temporary
Application	Offshore only
Sponsor	Required – Australian PR or citizen
Bond	May be requested
Stay	Up to 12 months
Work Rights	No
Study	Up to 3 months

3. Business Visitor Stream

Purpose: To engage in business visitor activities such as attending meetings, conferences, or exploratory business trips.

This stream allows business people to visit Australia for short business visits. It does not allow working or selling goods or services.

Criteria	Details
Visa Subclass	600 – Business Visitor Stream
Type	Temporary
Application	Offshore only
Purpose	Business meetings, conferences
Stay	Up to 3 months
Work Rights	No – business visitor activities only

4. Approved Destination Status (ADS) Stream

Purpose: For citizens from certain parts of China visiting Australia in tour groups.

This stream is for Chinese citizens travelling in an organised tour group under a bilateral arrangement. You must apply from outside Australia.

Criteria	Details
Visa Subclass	600 – ADS Stream
Type	Temporary
Application	Offshore only
Tour Group	Required – Chinese tour groups only
Stay	Specified by itinerary
Work/Study	Not permitted

5. Frequent Traveller Stream

Purpose: For citizens of the People’s Republic of China who travel frequently to Australia for business or personal purposes.

This stream offers a long-validity visa (up to 10 years) with multiple entries and short stay periods for Chinese citizens who frequently visit Australia.

Criteria	Details
Visa Subclass	600 – Frequent Traveller Stream
Type	Temporary – Long Validity
Application	Offshore only
Nationality	PRC passport holders only
Validity	Up to 10 years
Stay Per Visit	Up to 3 months
Work Rights	No

Can I apply for a visitor visa while in Australia?

Yes, only the Tourist Stream allows onshore applications. Others must be applied for offshore.

How long can I stay on a Visitor Visa 600?

Depending on the stream, stay can be from 3 to 12 months, or multiple entries for Frequent Travellers.

Can I work on a Visitor Visa 600?

No, work is not permitted under any stream of the Visitor Visa.

What is the difference between Tourist Stream and Sponsored Family Stream?

Tourist Stream doesn’t require sponsorship, while the Sponsored Family Stream requires an eligible Australian sponsor and can involve a security bond.

Only the ADS and Frequent Traveller streams are exclusive to Chinese citizens.

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