For Indian travellers planning a trip to Australia, selecting the correct Australia visitor visa category is the first step toward a smooth application. Because Australia offers multiple short-stay visa options for different travel purposes, applicants should understand each type before applying. As a result, you can move forward with confidence and avoid unnecessary delays.
In the sections below, you will find a clear overview of the main Australia visitor visa categories available to Indian passport holders.
Australia Visitor Visa Categories
1. Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)
This is the main visa used by Indian citizens travelling to Australia for tourism, family visits or limited business activities. It includes different streams depending on your reason for travel.
Tourist Stream (Apply outside Australia)
This stream remains the most popular choice for leisure travel.
Purpose: Travellers use this option for holidays, sightseeing, visiting relatives or going on cruises.
Stay: Authorities may grant stays of three, six or twelve months. In each case, officials decide the length and number of entries individually.
Key Requirement: Applicants must prove genuine visitor intent, show sufficient funds and demonstrate strong reasons to return to India.
Business Visitor Stream
This stream supports short professional visits.
Purpose: Travellers attend meetings, conferences or negotiations through this option. However, the visa does not allow employment or the sale of goods and services.
Stay: In most cases, approvals allow travel for up to three months.
Sponsored Family Stream
Applicants with eligible relatives in Australia may apply under this stream.
Purpose: This option allows visits to close family members.
Key Feature: Sponsors who hold Australian citizenship or permanent residence may need to lodge a security bond to ensure visa conditions are followed.
2. Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)
Each year, Australia offers this limited-quota visa to young Indian citizens.
Purpose: It allows an extended holiday of up to twelve months while also permitting temporary work.
Eligibility: Applicants must meet education and English requirements. Because places remain limited, competition stays high.
3. Transit Visa (Subclass 771)
Travellers stopping briefly in Australia while heading to another country may need this visa.
Purpose: This option permits transit through Australia for up to 72 hours.
Requirement: You must hold a confirmed onward ticket. Moreover, if you plan to leave the airport transit area, you must obtain this visa.
4. Visas Not Available to Indian Citizens
However, Indian passport holders cannot currently use certain electronic travel options, so applicants should avoid confusion when selecting a visa type.
Electronic Travel Authority – ETA (Subclass 601)
eVisitor Visa (Subclass 651)
Australia Visitor Visa Fees
Mandatory Government Charges
Visa Application Charge: AUD 190
Approx. INR: ₹10,500–₹11,500
Biometrics Fee
Approx. ₹2,000–₹2,500
Health Examination (If Required)
Approx. ₹4,000–₹6,000
Travel Insurance (Recommended)
Approx. ₹10,000 onwards
Visa Consultant Fees (Optional)
Approx. ₹3,000–₹8,000
Estimated Cost Summary
Applicants usually spend around ₹13,200 in mandatory charges. If immigration authorities request a medical examination, the total may rise to approximately ₹18,200.
Documents Required for Australia Visitor Visa
To proceed smoothly, applicants should prepare the following documents in advance.