To the Land Down Under: How to Apply for an Australian Tourist Visa

Welcome to sunny Australia, mate! Often referred to as the Land Down Under due to its location in the Southern Hemisphere, the country is known for its relaxing beaches, diverse landscapes, and welcoming cities. 

If you’re planning to visit the world’s smallest continent, you need to know how to apply for an Australian tourist visa. As long as you prepare the complete documents, you'll find the whole process relatively easy and simple. 

Let’s start!

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What is an Australian Tourist Visa? 

An Australia tourist visa, otherwise known as a Visitor Visa (subclass 600), is a document that allows you to visit Australia for tourism purposes or to see family and friends. If you’re entering the country during a cruise, you’ll still need the said visa. 

Generally, this temporary visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to three months. But in certain circumstances, authorities may grant a stay of up to 12 months.^[1]

Work, business, and medical treatment are not covered by this visa. You can study or train for up to three months using this tourist visa, but get a student visa if your main purpose of visiting Australia is to study. 

❓ What is the Validity of an Australian Tourist Visa? 

Most tourist visas are valid for one year. If you’re granted a multiple-entry visa, you can enter Australia as many times as you wish. However, each stay shouldn’t exceed three months. 

Wondering how to extend your tourist visa in Australia? Unfortunately, the Australian tourist visa is not extensible. You need to apply for another visa once the existing one expires. 

Australia Tourist Visa Requirements in the Philippines

What documents are required for an Australia tourist visa? Check out the following: 

• Philippine passport (you’ll need to scan the bio page, old visas, plus entry or exit stamps)
• PSA-issued birth certificate 
• Certificate of Employment
• Bank statement for the last six months
• Bank certificate 
• Flight ticket reservations
• Hotel reservations
• Itinerary 

Travelers who are at least 75 years old or who have requested to stay for a period of up to 12 months also need to provide valid health insurance with comprehensive coverage (PhilHealth is not accepted). 

Notes: 

• Depending on your visa, additional documents may be required.
• Render the scanned documents in JPG, PNG, or PDF. The size shouldn’t exceed 5MB.   

Read more: Prepare These Requirements for Travel Abroad Before You Fly Out

How to Apply for an Australian Tourist Visa in the Philippines

How to apply for an Australian tourist visa for Filipino travelers? You can easily do so through ImmiAccount, an online platform where applicants can lodge the required documents. 

The Australian Embassy encourages visa and citizenship applicants to use the platform. After all, it’s available 24/7 for everyone’s convenience. The embassy will not admit clients for the lodging of visa or citizenship applications unless in cases of genuine emergency only.^[2] 

Take note of the following steps: 

Step 1: Create Your ImmiAccount

Visit the ImmiAccount portal^[1] to create your ImmiAccount. Other than visa applicants, a family member acting on behalf of an applicant or a friend assisting with the application process can create an individual ImmiAccount. 

Follow these steps: 

1. Input your email address.
2. Input the verification code sent to you.
3. Input your user details
4. Input your account details. 

Step 2: Fill Out the Online Application Form and Attach the Requirements

Once you’ve created an ImmiAccount, fill out the online application form. Fields and questions are usually related to your family background, employment, and travel history, among others. 

At this point, attach the required documents. As mentioned above, make sure that your documents are rendered in JPG, PNG, or PDF. Avoid upload-related problems by submitting files that don’t exceed 5MB. 

Step 3: Pay the Australia Tourist Visa Fee

How much is the tourist visa to Australia? Each applicant will have to pay AU$190 or almost ₱7,000 as of this writing. 

However, you need to factor in other possible costs, such as health checks, biometrics, and police certificates. To estimate your visa cost, use the Australian government’s Visa Pricing Estimator.^[3]

You can pay your visa fee via credit card or PayPal. 

Step 4: Submit Your Application 

After double-checking your requirements and settling the payment, submit your application. You’ll then receive an email acknowledging that your application has been received. 

Step 5: Submit Your Biometrics

After submitting your application, you’ll receive an email request for biometrics collection. Schedule an appointment with the Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (ABCC).

Currently, two ABCCs are operated by VFS Global. One is in Manila and the other is in Cebu. 

Bring your passport and a copy of the emailed request. Once at the ABCC, complete the biometric collection, which consists of a face photograph and fingerprint scan.

Step 5: Wait for the Visa Notice 

What is the Australian tourist visa processing time? How many days to process an Australian tourist visa? 

The processing period varies. Results may arrive in as fast as two days or as long as a month. 

Once you receive the Visa Grant Notice, print it. This will be the document you’ll show when you enter and exit Australia.  

Note: You can also course through your application via an authorized travel agency that processes Australian visa applications. 

Related: Need Help With Your Passport? These Travel Agencies Offer Assistance

How to Apply for an Australian Tourist Visa: FAQs

Got more questions on how to get a tourist visa for Australia from the Philippines? Check out the following:

1. How much is the show money for a tourist visa in Australia? 

There isn’t a specific required amount of show money for a tourist visa in Australia. However, your bank statement and certificate should indicate there’s enough cash to support you throughout your stay. 

2. How soon should I apply for an Australian tourist visa? 

Given the processing time, apply for an Australia tourist visa three months before your travel date. Factor in the time needed for procuring and verifying the required documents.  

3. What should I do if my Australia tourist visa application has been denied?

The good news is you can reapply for an Australian tourist visa if you’re rejected. But take the time to understand the possible reasons you’re rejected. Double-check your documents and always be honest with your answers. 

4. Are flight and hotel reservations required? 

No, they aren’t required. But they can serve as proof that you have the financial means to pay for this trip. Moreover, reserved flights prove that you have an intention to go back to the Philippines.  

5. I want to know the status of my Australia tourist visa application. What should I do?  

Just log into your ImmiAccount to track the progress of your Australia tourist visa application. In case the embassy requires further information, they will contact you via phone, email, or snail mail. 

6. I’ve heard about the work and holiday visa. What exactly is it? 

Last year, the Australian Embassy announced that the work and holiday visa would be available this 2024. 

This visa type will allow eligible Filipinos between 18 and 30 years old to do the following: 

• Go on an extended holiday in Australia and engage in short-term work to fund their stay
• Study for up to four months
• Engage in three months of “specified subclass 462” work to be allowed to apply for a holiday visa or second work 

The visa costs AU$635 or around ₱23,000 as of this writing. Check the official website of Australia’s Department of Home Affairs for more details.^[4]

7. Can I fast-track my application? 

According to the Australian Embassy, visa applications are queued for finalization in date order. Nevertheless, they can prioritize cases based on “compelling or compassionate” reasons. 

Also, note that the embassy will prioritize applications that have been relayed to them by the Migration Review Tribunal or Ministerial Intervention. To avoid delays and situations that warrant fast-tracking, submit your application as early as possible. 

Related: 

• Traveling Abroad? Here’s a List of Visa-Free Countries for Filipinos
• To the Land of Sand and Gold: Dubai Tourist Visa in the Philippines
• Europe, Here I Come: Schengen Visa Requirements in the Philippines

Final Thoughts 

Before you get to the Land Down Under, you need to know how to apply for an Australian tourist visa. The best thing about the process is that you can do it even without a travel agency, thanks to ImmiAccount. Plus, you can easily provide the requirements. 

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Sources: 

• ^[1] Australia Subclass 600 Visa
• ^[2] ImmiAccount Page
• ^[3] Visa Pricing Estimator
• ^[3] First Work and Holiday Visa