Visitor Visa Subclass 600
What is a visitor visa?
The subclass 600 visa is for people wishing to travel to Australia as tourists, to see family and friends, or for business reasons. This visa has four streams:
- Tourist stream: for people travelling to Australia on holiday, to study for a short time, or to visit family and friends.
- Business Visitor stream: for people visiting Australia for business reasons.
- Sponsored Family stream: for people who are sponsored, usually by a family member to come to Australia to visit their family.
- Approved Destination stream: for citizens from certain areas of China visiting Australia on a tour organised by an approved agent.
Can visitor visa holders work while in Australia?
All Visitor visa holders are subject to condition 8101 which means they cannot work in Australia. Work includes activity that a person would normally get paid for.
What if they want to undertake voluntary work?
Visitor visa holders on a Tourist stream visa can undertake voluntary work, if:
- The main purpose of their voluntary work is tourism
- The work would not otherwise be done by an Australian resident in return for wages
- The main beneficiary of voluntary work is not a commercial organisation
- Is genuinely voluntary (no cash or in-kind payment received)
- Voluntary work is short term, typically less than 3 months
- It is of benefit to the community
What is allowed under the business visitor stream?
This stream does not allow visa holders to work in Australia. They can only carry out “business visitor activities” which can include:
- Making general business or employment enquiries
- Investigating, negotiating, entering into or reviewing a business contract
- Activities relating to official government visits
- Participation in a conference, trade fair or seminar if there is no payment for participation
The purpose of this condition is to allow genuine business visitor activity. It also prevents visitors from entering the Australian labour market or undertaking work that might otherwise be undertaken by an Australian citizen, permanent resident or a temporary work visa holder.
What are the common conditions of a visitor visa?
8101
Visa holders must not work in Australia.
8115
Visa holder must not work in Australia other than by engaging in a business visitor activity.
8201
While in Australia, the visa holder must not engage, for more than 3 months, in any studies or training.
8207
Visa holder cannot undertake any studies or training in Australia.
8503
While in Australia, the visa holder is unable to make a valid visa application for any new substantive visa other than a protection visa.
8516
Visa holder must continue to satisfy the criteria for the grant of the visa
8527
Visa holder must be free from tuberculosis when travelling to and entering Australia.
8530
Visa holder cannot discontinue, or deviate from, the tour arrangements approved in writing by the Minister.
8531
Visa holder must not remain in Australia after the visa stay period ends.
8550
Visa holder must inform the Department of Home Affairs at least 2 working days before changing their:
- name
- address
- phone number
- email address
8558
Visa holder cannot stay for more than 12 months in any 18 month period.
8572
Visa holder must have a medical assessment by a doctor approved by the Department of Home Affairs if requested in writing
8573
Visa holder must not stay in Australia for more than 12 months in any 24-month period.
