VisaChief Visitor visa (subclass 600) — interview questions & preparation
Most subclass 600 visitor visas are decided on documents without an interview, but the Department may call you, your sponsor or your host to confirm you are a genuine visitor who will leave before your visa ends. Officers focus on your reason for the trip, whether you have enough money, and your incentive to return home. If your application raises questions about funds or ties, a verification call is more likely, so your answers should match what you submitted.
Common Visitor visa interview questions
1. What is the purpose of your visit to Australia?
How to answer: State a clear, single main purpose such as tourism or family visit that matches your itinerary and supporting documents.
2. How long do you plan to stay and what is your itinerary?
How to answer: Give specific dates and plans, since a vague or open-ended stay suggests you may not be a genuine temporary visitor.
3. Who is paying for your trip and how much have you budgeted?
How to answer: Show you can fund the visit with real figures and bank evidence, and be clear whether you or a sponsor is paying.
4. Do you have family or friends in Australia, and will you stay with them?
How to answer: Disclose any relatives or hosts honestly, including their address, as undisclosed connections undermine your credibility.
5. What ties do you have to your home country?
How to answer: Emphasise your job, family, property or studies that give you a strong reason to return before your visa expires.
6. What is your employment or study situation at home?
How to answer: Provide proof of ongoing work or study and any approved leave, which supports your intention to go back.
7. Have you travelled overseas before and did you comply with those visas?
How to answer: A good travel history helps; mention past trips where you returned on time to show you respect visa conditions.
8. Have you ever been refused a visa or overstayed anywhere?
How to answer: Answer truthfully, because prior refusals or overstays are easily checked and honesty is essential.
9. Where will you stay during your visit?
How to answer: Have accommodation details ready, whether a booking or a host's address, to show your trip is genuinely planned.
10. Do you intend to work or study while in Australia?
How to answer: A visitor visa does not allow work, so make clear your visit is for tourism or family and that you understand the conditions.
11. For a sponsored visitor, who is your sponsor and what is their relationship to you?
How to answer: Know your sponsor's details and be aware a security bond may apply, keeping your answers consistent with theirs.
12. What will you do when your visa ends?
How to answer: Clearly state you will return home, referencing the commitments and ties that require your return.
How to prepare
- Define one clear purpose for your trip and make your documents support it.
- Prepare proof of funds and be clear who is paying for the visit.
- Gather evidence of strong ties home such as employment, family or property.
- Have accommodation and itinerary details ready to show a genuine, planned stay.
- Disclose any relatives, hosts or previous visa refusals honestly.
- Understand that a visitor visa does not permit work, and say so if asked.
- Keep any sponsor briefed so their answers match yours.
Frequently asked questions
Do visitor visa applicants get interviewed?
Not usually. Subclass 600 visas are mostly decided on documents, but the Department may make a verification call if it needs to confirm your funds, ties or genuine intention to visit.
What does 'genuine visitor' mean?
You must genuinely intend to stay temporarily and leave before your visa expires. Officers assess your purpose, finances and incentives to return home to be satisfied of this.
Can a visitor visa be refused for weak ties to home?
Yes. Insufficient evidence that you will return, such as no stable job, family or assets at home, is a common reason visitor visas are refused.
How can I test if I look like a genuine visitor?
Run through the likely questions with VisaChief's free AI interview, which highlights weak spots in your purpose, funds or ties before you apply.
See more visa interview guides, or browse all Australian visas and visa forms.