Subclass 600 · 602

Visitor & Medical Treatment Visas

The Visitor visa (subclass 600) lets you come to Australia for tourism, to visit family and friends, or for short business activities. The Medical Treatment visa (subclass 602) is a separate visa for people coming for treatment, organ donation or to support someone who is. We help with straightforward trips and with sponsored, medical or higher-risk applications that need extra care.

Overview

The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is Australia's main visa for short stays. Depending on the stream, it can be granted for 3, 6 or 12 months, and it comes in several streams for different purposes.

The Medical Treatment visa (subclass 602) is a distinct visa for people coming to Australia for medical treatment or consultation, to donate an organ, or to support someone doing either of those things - it is not a tourism visa, even though it is also a temporary visitor-type visa.

Most visitor applications are simple, but some - such as sponsored family visits, medical treatment cases, or applicants who have been refused before - benefit from careful preparation. That's where we can help most.

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Key facts

Subclasses: Subclass 600 (Visitor) · Subclass 602 (Medical Treatment)
Purpose: Tourism, visiting family, short business, or medical treatment
Stay period: Usually 3, 6 or 12 months (varies by subclass and stream)
600 streams: Tourist · Sponsored Family · Business Visitor
Work: Generally not permitted on either visa
Sponsor: Available in the 600 Sponsored Family stream

Your visa options

There is usually more than one way forward. Here are the main pathways within visitor & medical treatment visas.

General Visitor Visas

The subclass 600 visa, in its three main streams, for tourism, family visits and short business trips.

Tourist

Up to 12 months

Tourist stream

For holidays, cruises, or visiting family and friends. The most common visitor stream.

Family

Family visits

Business Visitor stream

For short business activities such as meetings, conferences or negotiations - not for working.

Medical Treatment Visa

Subclass 602, for people coming to Australia for medical treatment or consultation, to donate an organ, or to support someone doing either - not an ordinary tourism visa.

602

Treatment · Donor · Support person

Medical Treatment visa

For people who seek medical treatment or consultation in Australia (arrangements and costs must generally be organised beforehand), people donating an organ for transplant here, and support people accompanying either. Some onshore categories also cover applicants who are medically unfit to depart after a refused permanent visa application.

Is this pathway right for you?

This may suit you if:

You want to holiday, sightsee or take a cruise in Australia
You want to visit family or friends
You need to attend short business meetings, conferences or negotiations
You have a family member in Australia who can sponsor your visit
You need to come to Australia for medical treatment or consultation, or to donate an organ
You want to accompany and support someone who holds a Medical Treatment visa
You genuinely intend to stay temporarily and leave before your visa ends
You have enough funds to support your stay

Why it's worth it

Explore Australia

See the country as a tourist, on your own schedule, within your visa period.

Visit loved ones

Spend time with family and friends who live in Australia.

Short business visits

Attend meetings, conferences and negotiations (the visa doesn't allow you to work).

Access to treatment

The Medical Treatment visa lets you come for genuine treatment, consultation, or to donate an organ, with a support person if needed.

Help with tricky cases

We give extra care to higher-risk, sponsored or medical applications, or where a previous visa was refused.

This may not be the right fit if…

You intend to work or study long-term in Australia - these visas don't permit this
You have a history of visa non-compliance that may need to be addressed first
You're hoping to use a visitor visa as a stepping stone to a different visa without a genuine visit intention
You are seeking treatment for surrogate motherhood, which is specifically excluded from the 602 medical treatment category

These are general pointers, not a determination about your case - book a consultation for advice specific to your situation.

General requirements

Every case is different, but you'll generally need to:

Show a genuine intention to visit Australia temporarily
Have enough money to support yourself during your stay
Not intend to work - visitor and medical treatment visas do not generally permit work
Meet health and character requirements
For the 600 Sponsored Family stream, have an eligible sponsor (a security bond may be required)
For the 602 medical treatment category, have concluded treatment arrangements and evidence of how costs will be covered
For the 602 organ donor or support person categories, meet the specific requirements for that category

How we help

Our step-by-step process

We keep things clear and calm, so you always know what's happening and what comes next.

Choose the right visa and stream

We help you identify whether a 600 stream or the 602 Medical Treatment visa (and which of its categories) matches your purpose.

Gather supporting evidence

We help you show your funds, ties to home, genuine intention to visit, or - for medical treatment - your treatment and cost arrangements.

Address any risk factors

Where there's a previous refusal or other sensitivity, we prepare the application carefully.

Lodge your application

We prepare and lodge a clear, well-evidenced application.

Await the decision

We help you respond to any requests and understand your visa conditions once granted.

Documents you'll typically need

A general guide - we'll give you a tailored checklist for your situation.

Passport and identity documents
Evidence of funds to support your stay
Evidence of ties to your home country
Travel and accommodation details
Invitation or sponsor documents (for family visits)
For medical treatment: evidence of the treatment arranged and how costs will be paid
Health examinations or police clearances, if required

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to what people ask us most.

How long can I stay on a visitor visa?

It depends on the visa, stream and what the Department grants. Subclass 600 stays are commonly 3, 6 or 12 months; the Tourist stream can allow up to 12 months, the Sponsored Family stream usually a shorter stay. Subclass 602 grants depend on the treatment or purpose.

Can I work on a visitor or medical treatment visa?

No, generally not. Neither the subclass 600 nor the subclass 602 permits work in the ordinary course. If you want to work in Australia, you'll need a different visa - we can talk you through the options.

Can I extend or apply for another visa while I'm here?

Sometimes, but many visitor visas carry a 'No Further Stay' condition (8503) that prevents applying for most other visas while you're in Australia. We can check your specific conditions before you travel.

My visa was refused before - can you still help?

Yes. A previous refusal makes a new application more sensitive, so careful, honest preparation matters. We'll give you a realistic view of your prospects.

What is the Sponsored Family stream?

It lets a family member in Australia sponsor your visit. The Department may ask the sponsor to provide a security bond as a condition of the visa.

Is the Medical Treatment visa the same as a tourist visa?

No. Subclass 602 is a separate visa for genuine medical treatment or consultation, organ donation, or supporting someone doing either - it is not intended for general tourism, and surrogacy treatment is specifically excluded from the medical treatment category.

Can a support person come with me for medical treatment?

Yes - a support person can apply for their own subclass 602 visa to accompany and support someone who holds (or is applying for) a Medical Treatment visa on medical or organ-donor grounds.

Can I study on a visitor or medical treatment visa?

Only short study - generally up to three months. For longer study you'll need a Student visa (subclass 500).

This page is general information only, not migration or legal advice. Visitor and Medical Treatment visa streams, conditions and stay periods are set by the Migration Act 1958 and Migration Regulations 1994 and can change. Book a consultation for advice specific to your circumstances; we never guarantee a visa outcome.

Free eligibility check

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This is a guide, not a legal determination.