Family visiting me here always ask the same question before they even land: how long am I actually allowed to stay? The honest answer is that nobody can tell you for certain until the visa is actually granted, the length isn’t fixed by the visa type alone.
Quick answer: The Visitor visa (subclass 600) allows stays of 3, 6, or 12 months, but the exact length is decided by the Department of Home Affairs at the time of grant, not chosen by the applicant. Many nationalities can instead use the free eVisitor or low-cost ETA, which typically allow stays of up to 3 months per visit.
Do You Even Need a 600 Visa?
Before applying for a Subclass 600, check whether you’re eligible for something simpler. If you hold a passport from an eligible European country, the eVisitor (subclass 651) is free and covers stays of up to 3 months. If you hold a passport from certain other eligible countries (including the US, Canada, Japan, and several others), the ETA (subclass 601) works similarly for a small service fee. The Subclass 600 exists mainly for travellers who don’t qualify for either, or who need a stay longer than 3 months.
Why the Stay Length Isn’t Up to You
This is the detail that surprises most applicants: you don’t choose whether you get 3, 6, or 12 months, the Department decides based on your circumstances, travel history, and the stream you applied under. Two people applying under the same Tourist stream, with similar-looking applications, can be granted different stay lengths. Strong ties to your home country (a job, property, family obligations) generally support a longer or more confident grant.
The “Genuine Temporary Entrant” Requirement
Every Subclass 600 application is assessed against the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criterion, essentially, does the Department believe you genuinely intend to return home rather than use the visitor visa as a way to stay long-term. This isn’t a checkbox, it’s a judgment call based on your overall application: your immigration history, your ties at home, and how consistent your story is across your documents.
What You Cannot Do on This Visa
The Subclass 600 does not permit work of any kind, including casual shifts, remote work for an overseas employer while physically in Australia, or paid internships. It’s a genuine visitor visa, study is limited to short, informal courses (generally under 3 months) rather than a full qualification.
What It Costs
The Tourist stream starts from around $190 AUD for the base application. The Frequent Traveller stream, aimed at business travellers needing multiple entries over a longer period, costs significantly more (over $1,000 AUD) in exchange for up to 10 years of validity with each individual stay capped at 3 months.
Extending Your Stay While You’re Here
If you’re already in Australia on a Subclass 600 and want to stay longer, you can generally apply for a new Tourist stream visa from within Australia before your current one expires. Once you lodge that application, you’ll typically be granted a bridging visa that keeps you lawful while the new application is processed, but critically, this usually means you cannot leave and re-enter the country until it’s decided. For the full detail on what different bridging visas actually let you do, see our guide on bridging visas in Australia.
Processing Times Vary Enormously
Processing can range from around 11 days up to several months, occasionally longer, depending on your country of application, the completeness of your documents, and seasonal demand. Applying with complete, consistent documentation well ahead of your planned travel date is the single biggest factor within your control.
Final Thoughts
The most common mistake is assuming a visitor visa guarantees a specific length of stay before you’ve even applied. Check whether you’re eligible for the simpler eVisitor or ETA first, and if you do need the full Subclass 600, focus your application on clearly demonstrating genuine ties home rather than assuming the process is a formality.
—
*This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute migration advice. Visa conditions, fees, and processing times change periodically, always confirm current requirements directly with the Department of Home Affairs.*