What is a Subclass? The Australian immigration system uses a 3-digit numbering system called a “Subclass” to categorize every single visa they issue. For example, Student Visas are Subclass 500, and Skilled Independent Visas are Subclass 189. “Subclass 600” is the official legal code for the standard Visitor Visa.
Why is Subclass 600 the best (and often only) choice? For tourists from many countries (including Pakistan, India, and countries in the Middle East), the Subclass 600 is “better” because it is the only comprehensive visitor visa available to you.
The Alternatives: Australia has faster, cheaper tourist visas like the ETA (Subclass 601) and eVisitor (Subclass 651), but these are strictly limited to citizens of specific regions like the US, Canada, UK, and the EU.
The 600’s Flexibility: The Subclass 600 is incredibly versatile. It has different “streams,” meaning you can use the exact same visa subclass for a standard holiday (Tourist Stream), visiting relatives (Sponsored Family Stream), or attending a short conference (Business Visitor Stream). It can also be granted for up to 3, 6, or even 12 months.
Let’s look at the costs advertised in your image compared to the actual 2026 reality:
Official Visa Fee: The flyer lists ~$135 USD. This is accurate. The official government fee is currently AUD 195 (which fluctuates around $130–$135 USD). This is non-refundable, even if rejected.
Biometrics Fee: The flyer lists ~$55 USD. This is also accurate. You must pay VFS Global locally to take your fingerprints and photo.
Basic Travel Insurance: Not legally mandatory for short tourist trips, but strongly recommended. The flyer bundles this in.
The “Essential Bundle” (~$250 USD): This is a fair baseline cost for the absolute bare-minimum expenses of applying (Visa + Biometrics + Insurance).
You must provide high-quality, color scans of the following:
A. Core Identity
Valid Passport: Must have at least 6 months of validity left. Include scans of the bio-data page and every page with past stamps/visas.
National ID (CNIC): Front and back.
FRC (Family Registration Certificate): Proves your family tree in your home country.
Recent Photo: A 45mm x 35mm digital passport photo with a plain white background.
B. Proof of Income/Employment (Crucial for establishing “Ties to Home”)
If Employed: 3 to 6 months of salary slips, an employment letter stating your salary and role, and a Leave Approval/NOC letter stating you are expected back at work on a specific date.
If Business Owner: Business registration documents, tax returns (NTN/FBR records), and company bank statements.
This is where most visas are won or lost. The Australian government does not have a legally mandated minimum balance, but they have strict expectations.
How much do you need? Generally, immigration case officers look for a balance of AUD 5,000 to AUD 10,000 (roughly $3,300 to $6,500 USD) to ensure you can support a typical tourist trip without needing to work illegally.
The 6-Month Rule: You must provide stamped bank statements spanning the last 6 months.
Consistency is King: They are looking for a natural flow of money. Your salary or business revenue should be coming in regularly, and normal living expenses should be going out.
Processing times fluctuate based on the volume of applications and how cleanly you submit your documents.
Tourist Stream: Currently averaging 15 to 30 days.
Sponsored Family Stream: Tends to take a bit longer, averaging 30 to 60 days.
Business Visitor Stream: Usually the fastest, averaging 10 to 25 days.
If your Subclass 600 is approved, it comes with strict legal conditions. If you break them, your visa is canceled, and you are deported.
Condition 8101 (No Work): You absolutely cannot do any paid work while in Australia.
Condition 8201 (Max 3 Months Study): You can do a short course (like a 4-week English class), but you cannot study for more than 3 months.
Condition 8503 (No Further Stay): The government frequently attaches this condition to tourist visas. It means that once you are inside Australia, you cannot apply for a different visa (like a work or student visa) to extend your stay. You must leave the country before your visa expires.
Applying for the Australia Visit Visa (Subclass 600) can initially feel overwhelming, especially when faced with strict financial requirements and extensive documentation. However, the system is designed to be straightforward and accessible to anyone willing to put in the time.
The most important takeaway from this guide is honesty. Australian immigration has seen every trick in the book. Agencies promising “guaranteed visas,” offering fake bank statements, or selling dummy flight tickets are putting your future at risk, not theirs. A rejection based on fraud (PIC 4020) carries devastating consequences, including long-term bans from entering Australia and a permanent black mark on your global travel record.
You have the power to do this yourself. The ImmiAccount portal is user-friendly, and all the information you need is available for free on the official Department of Home Affairs website. If you do choose to hire a consultant, pay them for their time, expertise, and assistance in organizing your genuine documents—never pay them to invent a profile for you.
Start preparing early, let your bank statement build naturally, gather solid proof of your ties to your home country, and present a truthful, well-organized application. Australia is an incredible destination, and doing the paperwork right the first time is the best way to start your journey!