Australia Visa Guide

Australian Visa Types We Support

Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)

For tourism, visiting family or friends, or short business visits. Grant periods and stay limits depend on stream and your circumstances — visitor grants are often up to 12 months validity where applicable.

Student Visa (Subclass 500)

For full-time study at a registered Australian institution. You must meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement and maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Skilled Worker (Subclass 482)

Temporary Skill Shortage visa for skilled workers nominated by an approved Australian employer. Occupation, skills, and English requirements apply.

Working Holiday (Subclass 417)

For young adults from eligible countries to holiday and work in Australia for up to 12 months (extensions may apply in limited cases). Passport and eligibility rules are strict.

Department of Home Affairs, ImmiAccount & Application Centres

Department of Home Affairs assesses most Australian visa applications and publishes official requirements, fees, and processing times on homeaffairs.gov.au.

ImmiAccount is the online portal where you create an account, lodge many visa applications, upload documents, pay the visa application charge, and track your application status.

VFS Global operates Australian Visa Application Centres (VACs) in India for biometrics and, where required, document submission — always confirm your checklist on ImmiAccount for your specific subclass.

Australian visa-related services in India are commonly available at VACs in major cities, for example:

New Delhi
Mumbai
Chennai
Hyderabad
Kolkata
Bengaluru

Need Help With Your Australia Visa?

Our experts can help you choose the right subclass, prepare your ImmiAccount application, and align documents with Department of Home Affairs expectations.

Get Expert Help

GTE, OSHC & Document Review

Students and visitors often need clear GTE statements, insurance proof, and consistent financial evidence. We review your bundle before you lodge.

Book a Review

Australian Visa Application — Dos & Don'ts

Do's

Arrange adequate health cover

Students need OSHC for the full course period; visitors should consider travel or visitor-appropriate insurance for medical costs in Australia.

Meet the GTE requirement (students)

Write an honest GTE statement explaining study goals, ties to home, and why Australia — not copy-paste templates.

Demonstrate genuine temporary entrant intent

For visitor streams, show employment, family, assets, or study commitments that support a real temporary visit.

Complete health exams when requested

Use panel physicians listed by Home Affairs and upload results through the correct channels before deadlines.

Keep ImmiAccount answers consistent

Match dates, employment history, and travel history across forms and uploaded documents.

Students: secure CoE before applying

Obtain a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your CRICOS-registered provider and check course dates align with your application.

Don'ts

Don't overstay your visa

Unlawful status can affect future Australian applications and may lead to exclusion periods.

Don't misrepresent GTE or visitor intent

Claiming tourism while planning to work full-time without the right visa undermines credibility across the system.

Don't submit forged documents or bank statements

Home Affairs may verify evidence; fraud can result in refusal and long-term bans.

Don't ignore biometrics or health requests

Missing appointments or deadlines can stall or jeopardise your application.

Don't work beyond what your visa allows

Visitor visas generally do not permit work; student and WHV holders must follow work-hour and condition rules.

Don't assume “no interview” means low scrutiny

Decisions are based on your application, documents, and immigration history — quality and honesty still matter.

Document Checklist for Australian Visa

Use this interactive checklist to track your document preparation. Check off items as you gather them. Exact requirements depend on subclass and your profile — confirm on ImmiAccount.

Step-by-Step Australian Visa Application Process

Step 1

Check the Correct Visa Subclass

Use the Department of Home Affairs visa finder on homeaffairs.gov.au to confirm whether you need subclass 600, 500, 482, 417, or another category. Each stream has different eligibility, fees, and conditions.

Tip: note document and English requirements for your subclass

Step 2

Create an ImmiAccount

Register at online.immi.gov.au (ImmiAccount). This is where you start most applications, receive messages from the department, and upload evidence. Keep your login secure and use an email you check daily.

One account can hold multiple applications

Step 3

Complete the Online Application

Fill in every section accurately — travel history, family, employment, health, and character declarations. For students, prepare your GTE narrative; for sponsored or employer-nominated visas, align details with nomination paperwork.

Step 4

Upload Documents & Pay the Visa Charge

Attach clear scans per the checklist (passport, finances, CoE, OSHC, sponsor letters, etc.). Pay the visa application charge online; retain proof of payment. Visitor base fee is commonly AUD $190 — other subclasses differ.

Step 5

Health Examination & Biometrics

If requested, complete your medical with a panel physician and follow instructions to link results. Attend VFS Global (or as directed) for biometrics when required for your country and subclass — book only after ImmiAccount guidance.

Pro tip: complete health and biometrics promptly to avoid processing delays.

Step 6

Await the Decision

Monitor ImmiAccount for requests for more information. Typical processing often falls in the 2-8 week range but varies by subclass and caseload. If granted, check visa conditions (work, study, stay period) before you travel.

Interview: not typically required — decision is usually document-based

Frequently Asked Questions — Australia Visa

GTE means you must genuinely intend to stay in Australia temporarily for study. Case officers assess your circumstances, immigration history, course choice, and ties to your home country. A clear, honest statement and consistent evidence (employment, family, finances) strengthen your application more than generic templates.

Yes. Subclass 500 holders must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire proposed stay in Australia as required by your visa conditions. You arrange OSHC with an approved Australian provider and attach evidence with your application.

Processing commonly ranges around 2-8 weeks but depends on stream, caseload, and completeness of your application. Stay periods and visa validity are decided case by case; visitor grants may allow stays up to three months per visit in many scenarios, with visa validity sometimes up to 12 months — always read your grant notice.

For many subclasses, no routine interview is held; decisions are usually based on your ImmiAccount application and documents. In rare cases the department may contact you for more information. You must still attend biometrics or health appointments when instructed.

Overstaying puts you in unlawful status, which can lead to detention, removal, and difficulty obtaining future Australian visas. Depending on how long you overstay, a re-entry ban or exclusion period may apply. Always depart before your visa expires or apply for a new visa before your current one ends if eligible.

Australia