Australia is one of those dream destinations that I’ve been dreaming of visiting. This country undeniably offers the best of both worlds: vibrant cities, stunning landscapes, and a lifestyle that blends adventure and calm. If you’ve been dreaming of soaking in Sydney’s harbor views, exploring Melbourne’s café scene, or taking a road trip along the Great Ocean Road, your first step is getting an Australian tourist visa.
If you are a Filipino passport holder (like me), yes, you are required to apply for a tourist visa or Visitor Visa (subclass 600) to enter Australia. This type of visa allows you to travel for tourism or to visit family and friends.
The process might sound intimidating at first, but don’t worry, I’ve done it all myself. Thus, in this blog post, I will provide a step-by-step guide on how to apply for Australian tourist visa, most especially for Filipino travelers or those who want to visit Australia.
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Things to Know About Australian Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)
- Application Method: Online via ImmiAccount
- Processing Time: 10 to 30 working days (case-to-case basis)
- Visa Fee: AUD 190 (around PHP 7,000)
- Stay Duration: Usually 3 months (but can vary)
- Entry Type: Single or multiple (depending on approval)
How to Apply for an Australian Tourist Visa: Step-by-Step Guide
Create an ImmiAccount.
Head over to https://online.immi.gov.au and sign up for an account. Your ImmiAccount is where you’ll submit your Australian tourist visa application, upload documents, and track your visa status. Make sure your details match your passport exactly.
Start a new application.
After signing up, choose “Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)” under the Tourism stream. You’ll need to fill out details like your intended travel dates, purpose of visit, and personal background. You don’t need to have flights or hotels booked yet, just provide an estimated itinerary.
If you’re applying for a tourist visa for a visitor visa (subclass 600), make sure to tick off the “Tourist stream (tourism/visit family or friends)” option.
Fill out the tourist visa application form.
I believe that this is the most crucial part based on experience. Filling out the form would ask about your job, income, travel history, and your economic ties to the Philippines. Even if you’re unemployed or being sponsored, you can still apply. Just ensure that you can support your purpose with the appropriate documents.
You don’t need to finish filling out the form immediately. You can take your time, and everything is saved as you logged in and out of your account. If you want to ensure everything is being filled out correctly, you can take your time.
Gather all the necessary documents.
You can compile all the necessary documents for your Australian tourist visa application even before creating an ImmiAccount. Please note that all of these items need to be uploaded after completing the application form. To give you an idea, here’s a checklist of the documents that you can prepare for your Australian tourist visa application:
- Valid passport (bio page)
- Visa application form (can be filled out online or through ImmiAccount)
- Passport-size photo (white background)
- Bank statements (last 3 months)
- Bank certificate (with ADB)
- Payslips or certificate of employment (if employed)
- DTI/business permit and ITR (if self-employed)
- Approved leave of absence from work
- Business permits or registration
- Property titles or lease agreements (if applicable)
- Flight itinerary (tentative only)
- Hotel booking confirmations
- Sample day-to-day itinerary
- Travel insurance (optional but recommended)
- Cover letter (if necessary)
- Previous and current travel visas
- Scanned copy of all previous passport travel stamps and visas
- A Family Register and Composition Form (if necessary)
These are the documents needed for your Australian tourist visa application. Take note that when they are saved in files, they are categorized accurately and correctly. I think this can also help the consul check the uploaded documents easily.
In the case of my Australian tourist visa application experience, these are the following documents that I have submitted (as a freelancer):
- Visa Application Form
- Passport-sized Photo
- Bank Certificate w/ ADB
- Bank Statement (for 3 months)
- Travel Itinerary
- Income Tax Return
- Business Registration
- Previous and current visas (Korean tourist visa, Chinese tourist visa and Japan tourist visa, and New Zealand tourist visa)
- Previous passport stamps
- Confirmed hotel reservations (through Agoda)
- A photo of my driver’s license
- Sample day-to-day itinerary
- Property titles or lease agreements
- Flight itineraries (New Zealand and South Korea)
- Cover letter
- Proof of financial transactions with my U.S client.
- Travel insurance
I have submitted all the documents that I thought would help increase my chances of getting my Australian tourist visa approved. To be transparent with you, my first Australian tourist visa application got denied before, so I needed to make sure (this time) that my application would get approved. Hence, I gathered and attached all the documents that would demonstrate my strong economic ties in the Philippines (since that was the reason why they did not grant me a visa before).
Another tip: When creating your travel itinerary, make sure that all your daily activities can be supported by your financial documents. Make sure that everything that you do is appropriate for your declared budget.
Pay the visa fee.
The visa costs AUD 190 (which costs around PHP 7,000) and can be paid online using a credit or debit card. Note that this fee is non-refundable, even if your application is denied.
Book a Biometrics Appointment with VFS Global Group.
After paying for your tourist visa application, make sure to book an appointment with VFS Global Group right after. Create an account and set a date for your biometrics appointment. After submission, you’ll receive a Biometrics Instruction Letter via email. You’ll need to book an appointment at VFS Global in Makati or Cebu to have your biometrics taken (fingerprints and photo). Make sure to bring your passport and the instruction letter with you. The biometrics fee is as low as PHP 557.
The VFS Global Australia Biometric Collection Center is located at Circuit Corporate Center, H2F9+M95, Makati City, Metro Manila.
Wait for the visa result.
This is the hardest part, the waiting game. Take note that the visa processing can take anywhere from 5 days to over a month. But it’s still on a case-by-case basis. Others have said their visa was granted minutes or hours after their biometrics. But some took them weeks to get their visa results.
I received mine in about two weeks. I got the multiple-entry visa, which is valid for one year. Once approved, your visa grant notice will be sent via email. There’s no physical stamp on your passport, make sure to just print the visa and bring it with you when you fly to Australia, as this might be asked by the Immigration Officer.
Sample Itinerary for Australian Tourist Visa Application
It’s a good idea to include a simple itinerary in your application. This is a sample itinerary for your trip to Sydney. Here’s a sample you can tweak:
Day 1
- Arrival in Sydney
- Check in at the hotel
- Explore Darling Harbour
- Rest
Day 2
- Visit Circular Quay & The Rocks
- Sydney Opera House (Exterior & Free Views)
- Walk Across the Harbour Bridge
- Sunset at Observatory Hill Park
- Rest
Day 3
- Bondi Beach
- Coogee Coastal Walk
- Coogee Beach
- Return to City
Day 4
- Katoomba
- Three Sisters & Scenic Lookouts (Free)
- Return to Sydney
Day 5
- Manly Beach & Shelly Beach Walk
- Circular Quay
- Royal Botanic Gardens
Day 6
- Australian Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art
Day 7
- Paddy’s Market
- Marrickville Markets
- Hyde Park
- St. Mary’s Cathedral
Day 8
- Flight back to Manila
Tips to Increase Your Chances of Approval
- Be honest and consistent with your answers, especially when filling out the application form.
- Upload clear and complete documents.
- Show strong evidence and ties to the Philippines (job, business, property).
- You don’t need to book flights or hotels, estimated plans are enough.
- Travel history helps, but isn’t required.
- If once denied, write a cover letter and state why it happened and explain why they should grant you a visa this time.
Where to stay in Sydney, Australia?
If you’re visiting Sydney, Australia, you might consider staying at Mad Monkey Kings Cross. It’s a budget-friendly hostel that is near tourist attractions! This is where I stayed during my solo trip to Australia!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a sponsor to apply?
No, but you can have one. If you’re self-funded, just show enough financial proof. If you’re sponsored, your sponsor needs to submit financial documents and an affidavit of support.
How much should I have in my bank account?
While there’s no exact rule, the standard budget would be PHP 10,000 to PHP 15,000 per day since Australia is not a cheap destination.
Is travel insurance required?
It’s not required, but it’s highly recommended.
Do I need to buy a ticket before applying?
No. You can submit a dummy itinerary instead. Only book your flight once your visa is approved.
Applying for an Australian tourist visa as a Filipino can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time. To be transparent with you, this is one of the most challenging tourist visa applications I have encountered. But doing it yourself saves money and teaches you so much about the process. If you prepare well and submit honest, complete documents, you have a solid chance of getting approved.
Australia is such a dream country! I have always dreamed of visiting this place one day and thank God, it finally happened! If you are planning to visit Australia soon, I hope that this Australian tourist visa guide helps! Feel free to reach out to me via Instagram if you have any more questions or need more assistance.
Hey, my name is Ara Patria—a solo female traveler who is in her quest of traveling the world. I write and learn about life through the lenses of my camera, personal experiences, and adventures. Join me as I unravel the mystery of life through exploring the wanders of the world.
