If you are an Indian living in Australia and you want to invite your parents, siblings, or relatives from India to visit you, there is one thing you need to plan carefully before anything else: the visitor visa. And in 2026, that planning just got a little more expensive. The Australian Government increased visitor visa fees from 1 July 2026, and if you are sponsoring a family visit, understanding exactly what changed and what it means for your application is essential.
This guide covers everything Indian families need to know about visitor visa Australia fees, from what the visa actually is, to who can apply, how much it now costs, how to apply correctly, and how to avoid the most common mistakes that lead to rejection.
What Is the Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)?
The Australia Visitor Visa, officially known as the Subclass 600, is a temporary visa that allows people from outside Australia to visit the country for a short period of time. It is designed for tourists, business visitors, or people who want to visit family for 3, 6, or 12 months.
The Subclass 600 is not a single visa with one set of rules. It is divided into several streams depending on the purpose of the visit:
- Tourist Stream: This allows the visa holder to stay in Australia temporarily for tourism or family visits. The visa does not allow the holder to work in Australia or study for more than 3 months.
- Business Visitor Stream: This stream is for people visiting Australia for short-term business activities such as attending conferences or meetings. It does not permit the holder to work or provide services to an Australian business.
- Sponsored Family Stream: This stream is specifically for people visiting family members who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. As the person in Australia, you act as the formal sponsor.
- Frequent Traveller Stream: This stream is for people who travel to Australia regularly and have a strong compliance history. It can grant a validity period of up to 10 years but is assessed strictly.
⚠️ The Sponsored Family Stream Security Bond Risk: While the Sponsored Family Stream sounds like the default choice for family visits, migration experts frequently advise Indian families to apply under the standard Tourist Stream (Offshore) instead. Under the Sponsored Family Stream, the Department of Home Affairs has the legal authority to impose a mandatory security bond, usually between AUD 5,000 and AUD 15,000 per person, n the Australian sponsor. This bond is held until the visitor departs. Applying via the Tourist Stream while simply providing a strong invitation letter avoids these strict formal sponsorship ties and heavy financial bond risks.
Who Can Apply for the Australia Visitor Visa from India?
Indian passport holders must apply for the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa to enter Australia. The cheaper eVisitor (Subclass 651) and ETA (Subclass 601) streams are restricted to passport holders of specific eligible countries, and India is not on either list. This means every Indian national must go through the full Subclass 600 application process.
Indian nationals who are eligible to apply for the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa include:
- Parents or in-laws of Indian professionals living in Australia on a work visa
- Parents or in-laws of Indian students currently studying in Australia
- Siblings, grandparents, or other close relatives of Indian permanent residents or citizens in Australia
- Relatives wanting to attend a family event such as a wedding, graduation, or the birth of a child
- Older relatives coming to help care for a newborn or young children
- Relatives wanting to experience Australia for tourism purposes
There is no strict age limit for applying, but older applicants, particularly those above 60 years of age, may be asked to undergo a medical health examination as part of the assessment process. The visa is assessed entirely on the individual circumstances of the applicant.
What Changed – New Visitor Visa Australia Fees 2026
Australia revised its visa application charges effective from 1 July 2026. For the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) Tourist stream applied for outside Australia, the base fee is now AUD 250 per applicant.
Here is the breakdown of the new visitor visa base application charges:
| Visa Stream | Purpose | Base Fee Before 1 July 2026 | Base Fee From 1 July 2026 |
| Tourist Stream (Offshore) | Relatives applying from India | AUD 200 | AUD 250 |
| Tourist Stream (Onshore) | Extending stay while inside Australia | AUD 500 | AUD 630 |
| Frequent Traveller Stream | Regular visitors (up to 10-year validity) | AUD 1,600 | AUD 1,845 |
What does this mean for Indian families?
If you are supporting two parents to visit from India, the combined government base application fee is now AUD 500 (2 x AUD 250). On top of that, you need to budget for:
- Biometrics collection at VFS Global India
- Health examinations if requested by the Department of Home Affairs
- Standard credit card surcharges and currency conversion fees
The visa application charge is non-refundable even if the visa is refused. This makes it essential to prepare a strong application the first time.
How to Apply for Australia Visitor Visa from India – Step by Step
The entire application process for the Subclass 600 is done online via ImmiAccount. There is no physical form to submit.
Step 1 – Log Into or Create an ImmiAccount
All visitor visa applications are submitted online through ImmiAccount via immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Important Note: The applicant in India does not need to create their own separate account. An individual sponsor or family member living in Australia can use their own personal ImmiAccount to complete the forms, upload documentation, track status, and pay the visa fee on behalf of their relatives.
Step 2 – Select the Correct Visa Stream
Select the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) Tourist Stream (or Sponsored Family Stream if providing a formal, legal sponsorship) and fill out all sections. You will need to provide personal details, travel plans, employment history, financial information, and health/character declarations.
Step 3 – Prepare and Upload Supporting Documents
The documents you upload must demonstrate the applicant’s intent to visit temporarily and return home. Key documents include:
- Valid Indian passport
- Recent passport-sized photograph
- Last 6 months of bank statements showing regular income and a consistent balance
- Proof of employment or business ownership in India (salary slips, employment letters)
- Proof of property ownership or other significant ties to India
- Travel itinerary showing intended dates and plans in Australia
- An invitation letter from you (the host/sponsor in Australia)
- Proof of your Australian status (passport copy, citizenship certificate, or visa grant notice)
Step 4 – Pay the Visa Application Charge
Pay the base charge online (AUD 250 for offshore applications) through ImmiAccount using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
Step 5 – Complete Biometrics or Health Checks if Requested
After lodging, the Department may issue letters requesting biometrics collection at a VFS Global center or a health examination. Respond promptly to avoid processing delays.
Step 6 – Receive the Outcome
The decision notification arrives via email and is updated in the ImmiAccount. If granted, the visa is electronic and digitally linked to the passport—no physical sticker is required.
How to Avoid Rejection – Understanding the “Genuine Visitor” Requirement
The single most critical factor in a Subclass 600 application is satisfying the statutory Genuine Visitor requirement. Case officers evaluate whether the applicant genuinely intends to maintain a temporary stay in Australia and return home.
Here is what makes an application strong:
- Strong Ties to India: Solid proof that the applicant has a stable life to return to, such as ongoing employment, a running business, property ownership, financial assets, or close family members remaining in India.
- Consistent Financial History: Bank statements should show a stable, regular pattern of income and savings over at least 6 months. Large, unexplained deposits made right before applying are a major red flag.
- Clear Travel Plans: A realistic itinerary outlining where they will stay and who they will visit helps establish genuine tourist intentions.
- Honesty Regarding History: Always disclose any past visa refusals for Australia or any other country. Failing to declare a past refusal is flagged as a character issue and frequently leads to automatic rejection.
Planning a family reunion doesn’t have to break the bank. If you want to reunite with your loved ones in India instead, Gaura Travel offers a special family sale to help you book promo flights to India and head home at a more affordable price.
FAQ – Visitor Visa Australia Fees and Application
The offshore application fee for the Subclass 600 Tourist Stream is AUD 250 effective from 1 July 2026.
Yes. You can log into your own individual ImmiAccount in Australia, fill out their application details, upload their documents, and make the payment for them.
While both allow family visits, the formal Sponsored Family Stream requires the sponsor to complete a legal sponsorship obligation and gives the Department the right to demand a mandatory security bond (often between AUD 5,000 and AUD 15,000). Because of this, many families opt for the Tourist Stream while simply providing an invitation letter and proof of support.
Visa processing times fluctuate wildly depending on application volume, seasonality, and individual case complexity. You should always check the live, updated processing times directly on the Department of Home Affairs website rather than relying on historical averages. Never book non-refundable travel until the visa is granted.
While not explicitly mandatory for standard shorter stays under the Subclass 600 Tourist stream, it is highly recommended. Medical care in Australia is expensive for non-residents, and holding comprehensive travel/health insurance strengthens the proof that the applicant can cover unexpected expenses.
