The Subclass 600 Visitor visa lets you come to Australia for tourism, to visit family and friends, or for short business activities. The two rules that catch people out: you generally cannot work on it, and you can only study for up to three months. Here's an honest answer to what visitors ask most.
Can I work or study on a visitor visa?
No paid work is permitted on a visitor visa — this is a strict condition, and working in breach of it can lead to cancellation and future visa problems. You can study, but only for up to three months. If your main purpose is to work, study long-term, or migrate, the visitor visa is the wrong visa and you'll need a different subclass.
How long can I stay on a visitor visa?
The visitor visa is typically granted for a stay of 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on your circumstances and the stream. It's important to understand the difference between the visa's validity (how long the visa is active) and your permitted stay per entry. Some visitor visas also carry condition 8558, which limits the holder to no more than 12 months in any 18-month period — so you can hold a valid visa and still be restricted from staying too long across repeated visits. Always check the exact conditions on your grant letter.
How do I prove I'm a genuine visitor?
This is the heart of a visitor visa application, and in 2026 the Department assesses it carefully. You need to satisfy them that you intend to visit only temporarily and will leave at the end of your stay. The strongest applications demonstrate genuine intent through clear evidence: strong ties to your home country (employment, property, family, ongoing commitments), sufficient funds to support your trip, a clear purpose and itinerary, and a history of complying with visa conditions if you've travelled before. A history of overstaying or weak home-country ties are the most common reasons for refusal.
Can I bring my parents to Australia on a visitor visa?
Yes — many families use the visitor visa (including the Sponsored Family stream) to bring parents over for an extended visit, often while waiting in the long parent-visa queue. It's a practical option for visits, but it's important to be clear-eyed about it: a visitor visa is for temporary visits only, with no work rights and no permanent stay, so it's a way to spend time together, not a migration outcome in itself.
Can I extend my visitor visa or apply for another visa onshore?
Sometimes — but extensions are not automatic, and you must meet all the requirements again. In 2026 the rules around switching from a visitor visa to other visas onshore have tightened (for example, visitor-visa holders generally can no longer move onto a student visa onshore). If you want to stay longer or change your status, get advice early rather than assuming an extension will be granted.
A note on streams and the ETA/eVisitor alternatives
The visitor visa has several streams (Tourist, Business Visitor, Sponsored Family, and others). Depending on your passport, you may instead be eligible for an ETA (Subclass 601) or eVisitor (Subclass 651), which can be quicker and cheaper for short tourist trips. If those aren't available to you, the Subclass 600 is usually the right pathway.
This article is general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Visitor visa conditions and processing times change — book a consultation with Sirat, especially if you have a complex travel history or a sensitive reason for visiting.