Visitor visa (subclass 600) - Agent Training Manual

1. Overview

Know these facts cold before the first client conversation - they are also what the exam below tests. No - a temporary visitor visa only.

Visa typeTemporary

LodgementOnshore or offshore

StayUsually up to 3, 6 or 12 months per entry

Work rightsNo work permitted

Study rightsUp to 3 months

Government charge~$210 (Tourist stream)

Processing time~2 weeks to several months

2. Process flow

The handling sequence for a 600 file, from first consultation to decision. Each step assumes the one before it is genuinely finished - not "mostly done".

Purpose and stream
Tourist, family-sponsored or business visitor - pick the stream that matches the actual purpose. Business visitors must not do hands-on work.
Genuine-visitor evidence
Funds for the stay plus incentives to return home: employment, property, family, studies. Weak home ties are the main refusal driver for risk-profile passports.
Lodge and manage
Lodge with full evidence; some caseloads decide in days, others take months.
Grant briefing
Check conditions on grant - especially 8503 'no further stay', which blocks most onshore applications later. Never let a client overstay.

3. Eligibility checklist

Every box must be confirmable with evidence, not the client's say-so, before you advise that the 600 is viable.

A genuine intention to visit temporarilySufficient funds for your stayHealth and character requirementsSometimes evidence of incentives to return home

Your ticks save in this browser so you can work through the manual across sessions.

4. Document checklist

The lodgement pack. Aim for decision-ready: a case officer should be able to grant without asking for anything further.

Valid passport biodata page for every applicant - check expiry against expected processing timeCertified identity documents: birth certificate, national ID, any change-of-name evidencePolice certificates for every country the client lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years (since turning 16)Health examinations with an approved panel physician when requested (record the HAP ID)Form 956 appointing you as the registered agent, signed before you deal with the DepartmentFunds evidence for the stay (statements, payslips or sponsor support)Ties to home: employment letter and approved leave, property, family, ongoing studyItinerary and invitation letter where visiting family (plus sponsor documents for the sponsored stream)

Your ticks save in this browser so you can work through the manual across sessions.

5. Cost checklist

Quote the full stack, in writing, before the client signs. Surprise costs are the fastest way to lose a client's trust (and earn a complaint).

Item	Indicative amount
Base visa application charge (2025-26, indicative)	~$210 (Tourist stream)
Health examinations (only if requested)	~$300-500
Biometrics collection (some countries)	Small fee at the collection centre
Your professional fee	Per your agency's schedule - quote in writing before Form 956
Rule of thumb	Government charges usually change every 1 July - re-quote any file that lodges after 30 June

6. Qualification checklist

Run this in the first consultation, before taking a retainer. It screens the client, not the visa: history, hard stops and honesty come first.

Your ticks save in this browser so you can work through the manual across sessions.

7. Case studies - eligible cases

Illustrative composites showing what a grantable 600 file looks like in practice.

Grant: Isabella from Malaysia

Background: Isabella, a farm-work backpacker from Malaysia. People visiting Australia for tourism, to see family, or for certain business visitor activities.
Why it qualified: (1) A genuine intention to visit temporarily. (2) Sufficient funds for your stay. (3) Health and character requirements.
What made the file strong: Dates, names and figures matched across every document - no internal inconsistencies to trigger checks.
Outcome: Granted within the indicative processing window (~2 weeks to several months).

Grant: Wei from Nigeria

Background: Wei, a retired engineer from Nigeria. People visiting Australia for tourism, to see family, or for certain business visitor activities.
Why it qualified: (1) A genuine intention to visit temporarily. (2) Sufficient funds for your stay. (3) Health and character requirements.
What made the file strong: Every claim was evidenced before lodgement - nothing was left 'to follow'.
Outcome: Granted within the indicative processing window (~2 weeks to several months).

8. Case studies - refusal cases

The same visa, handled badly. Every one of these failure modes is screenable at the first consultation.

Refusal: Elif from Indonesia

Background: Elif, a university student on a semester break from Indonesia, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 600.
What went wrong: Not satisfying the 'genuine visitor' / genuine temporary entrant requirement
Outcome: The refusal went to review: another year, more cost, and no certainty the outcome changes.
Lesson for the agent: Front-load the file - address the weakness squarely in a submission instead of hoping the case officer will not notice.

Refusal: Kwame from Kenya

Background: Kwame, a marketing professional from Kenya, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 600.
What went wrong: A condition 8503 'no further stay' on grant
Outcome: The application was refused, and the refusal must now be declared on every future application, for any country.
Lesson for the agent: Screen for this at the first consultation, before money changes hands. It is cheaper to delay a lodgement than to fight a refusal.

9. Self-exam

10 questions drawn from this manual. Pass mark 80%. Answers are graded on the server and your result is recorded against your agent profile - retakes are unlimited and your best score is kept. Log in to the agent portal first so your result is saved to My trainings.

Back to all manuals