Australia Visitor Visa 600: Applying Onshore or Offshore and Where You Must Wait

Australia’s Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream has separate onshore and offshore application arrangements. The Department of Home Affairs says an onshore applicant must be in Australia when they apply and when a decision is made. An offshore applicant must apply outside Australia and remain outside Australia when the Department decides the application. Plan both the lodgement location and where you will be while the application is pending.

Onshore Tourist stream: apply and wait in Australia

Eligible applicants can apply for the Tourist stream while in Australia, but the location rule applies at lodgement and decision. This does not mean every Visitor visa holder can lodge another application. First check the current visa expiry date, the conditions attached to the visa, and whether a condition such as 8503 prevents a further stay application.

Home Affairs says that if you apply for another visa in Australia before your current visa expires, it will grant a Bridging visa A (BVA) so you can stay while the new application is processed. Check when the BVA comes into effect and what conditions apply to your case. An application receipt, a BVA that has not started, or a pending visa application is not permission to work, travel overseas and return, or remain indefinitely.

Offshore Tourist stream: apply and wait outside Australia

The offshore Tourist stream requires the applicant to be outside Australia when they apply and when the Department decides the application. If you plan to travel to Australia after lodging, do not assume you can enter and continue waiting onshore. Check the current location rule and wait for written grant notification before arranging travel.

Leaving Australia during an onshore application

Whether you can leave and return while an onshore application is pending depends on your bridging visa and travel permission. Home Affairs says a person holding a BVA who wants to return after leaving Australia may need to check eligibility for a Bridging visa B (BVB). Multiple entry on your existing Visitor visa does not automatically give you permission to travel during a new application or return on a bridging visa.

If your current visa has a condition such as 8503, Home Affairs says a waiver is available only in limited circumstances. Check the condition, waiver process and your lawful stay before lodging. Other subclass 600 streams can have different application location rules; this comparison is about the Tourist stream only.

Neither Tourist stream permits work

The Visitor visa is for tourism, visiting family or friends and related permitted purposes; it does not allow work in Australia. The visa may allow study or training for up to 3 months, but a person whose main purpose is study should consider an appropriate student visa. Applying onshore, applying offshore or waiting for a decision does not change these limits or guarantee a grant.

Before lodging

• Confirm that you are applying for the subclass 600 Tourist stream, not another visitor stream.

• Check the onshore or offshore page and plan where you will be at lodgement and decision.

• Read your current grant notice and VEVO conditions, especially expiry date, condition 8503 and stay limits.

• For an onshore application, check your lawful status and when any BVA would take effect.

• If you need to travel while a decision is pending, check BVA, BVB and return eligibility first.

• Confirm the stay period, entry allowance and other conditions in the grant notice before buying non-refundable travel.

Official sources: Home Affairs: Tourist stream, apply in Australia; Home Affairs: Tourist stream, apply outside Australia. Checked 21 October 2026.