Australia Visa for Indians: Types, Requirements, Fees and Application Process

Yes. Indian citizens holding ordinary passports must obtain an appropriate Australian visa before travelling. Australia does not offer general visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival facilities for Indian passport holders.

The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA Subclass 601) and eVisitor (Subclass 651) are restricted to eligible passport nationalities. Ordinary Indian passports are not included in these eligibility lists.

Indian travellers visiting for a holiday, family visit or qualifying short business activity generally need to consider the Visitor visa (Subclass 600). Those travelling for education, employment or skilled migration must select the corresponding visa category.

The purpose of travel should match the activities permitted under the visa. A Visitor visa, for example, does not provide general employment rights in Australia.

Australia offers different visa pathways depending on the applicant’s reason for travelling and intended duration of stay. Some categories are designed for temporary visits, while others allow eligible students and professionals to remain in Australia for education or employment.

The main visa options for Indian citizens are:

1. Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)

The Visitor visa allows eligible applicants to travel to Australia for tourism, family visits or qualifying business activities. It has different streams depending on the purpose of travel.

• Tourist stream: For holidays, cruises and visits to relatives or friends. The permitted stay can be up to 12 months, depending on the grant. Employment is not allowed. Read the detailed Australia Tourist Visa Guide for Indian applicants.
• Business Visitor stream: For short business activities such as business enquiries, contract negotiations and conferences. It does not permit ordinary employment or the provision of services to an Australian organisation. Read the Australia Business Visa Guide for Indian applicants.
• Sponsored Family stream: For eligible family visits involving a formal sponsor who meets Australian sponsorship requirements. A security bond may be requested, and the stay is determined by the visa grant.

The correct stream depends on the actual activities planned and whether formal family sponsorship is required.

2. Student Visa (Subclass 500)

The Student visa is for Indian applicants enrolling in an eligible course at an Australian educational institution. Applicants generally need a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), must satisfy the Genuine Student requirement and meet applicable English, financial, health and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) requirements.

The visa can allow a stay of up to six years, depending on the course. Students can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session, with different conditions for eligible postgraduate research students.

Important 2026 change: From 2 October 2026, new rules affect where Student visa applications can be lodged and whether family members can be included. Most applicants cannot include partners or dependent children unless an applicable exemption is met. Family members can no longer apply later as subsequent entrants under the new rules. Applications lodged before the change continue to be assessed under the previous rules.

3. Employer-Sponsored Work Visas – Subclasses 482 and 494

Indian professionals with an eligible Australian employment opportunity may consider an employer-sponsored visa.

The Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) allows an approved employer to sponsor a skilled overseas worker for an eligible position. Its Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement streams have different occupation, salary and eligibility requirements.

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (Subclass 494) is intended for eligible skilled workers nominated by employers in designated regional areas. It can allow a stay of up to five years and generally requires relevant work experience, a suitable skills assessment, English proficiency and compliance with the applicable age and employment conditions.

Both routes require more than simply having an Australian job offer. The employer, nominated occupation and proposed employment arrangements must satisfy the relevant requirements.

4. Skilled Migration Visas – Subclasses 189, 190 and 491

Australia’s points-tested skilled migration programme provides pathways for eligible professionals whose occupations and qualifications meet the country’s skilled migration requirements.

Applicants generally need a suitable skills assessment, an eligible occupation, English proficiency and the required points score. For the points-tested routes, 65 points is the minimum threshold, but reaching it does not guarantee an invitation.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) submitted through SkillSelect is an initial selection stage, not a visa application. Applicants must receive an invitation before proceeding with the relevant application.

5. Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

The Temporary Graduate visa is for eligible international students who have completed qualifying studies in Australia and wish to remain temporarily to work or study.

The available streams depend on the applicant’s Australian qualification. The Post-Higher Education Work stream is available to eligible degree-level graduates, while the Post-Vocational Education Work stream applies to certain eligible vocational qualifications.

Indian nationals may benefit from the stay periods provided under the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA). These periods vary by qualification, with some eligible doctoral graduates receiving up to four years.

The visa has separate age, recent-study, insurance, English and application requirements. It is a temporary pathway and does not automatically provide permanent residence.

6. Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) and MATES (Subclass 403)

Australia also offers two temporary mobility pathways relevant to eligible young Indian nationals.

The Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462) allows eligible Indian citizens aged 18–30 to spend up to 12 months in Australia while undertaking permitted short-term employment. First-time Indian applicants must participate in the pre-application ballot and be randomly selected before lodging their visa application.

The MATES programme under Subclass 403 is designed for eligible Indian graduates and early-career professionals in selected fields. Applicants must meet the qualification and institution criteria and be selected through the MATES ballot. The visa can allow eligible participants to live and work in Australia for up to two years.

These are separate programmes with their own eligibility and selection procedures. Neither should be confused with an ordinary Tourist or employer-sponsored visa.

7. Transit Visa (Subclass 771)

The Transit visa is for eligible travellers passing through Australia while continuing to another country. It can permit transit for up to 72 hours, subject to the conditions granted. Indian passport holders should check the transit requirements for their specific itinerary rather than assuming that an airport connection is automatically visa-free.

Australian visa application charges depend on the subclass and stream. The following table shows selected main-applicant government charges currently published for relevant routes.

The charges above do not represent the complete cost of every application. Additional applicant charges, dependent fees, health examinations, police certificates, skills assessments, English tests, translations and other expenses may apply.

The Sponsored Family stream may also involve a security bond if requested. The first Subclass 462 and MATES ballot registrations have separate registration charges.

The document checklist depends on the visa category, stream and individual circumstances. Applicants should prepare evidence that establishes their identity, purpose, eligibility and ability to meet the visa conditions.

Applicants should not assume that every item in one category’s checklist applies to another visa. For example, an employer nomination is relevant to an employer-sponsored route, while a Confirmation of Enrolment is central to a Student visa application.

Documents issued in a language other than English should be accompanied by translations that meet Home Affairs’ requirements.

Most Australian visa applications are lodged online through ImmiAccount. Some categories require additional preliminary steps, such as an employer nomination, Expression of Interest or ballot selection.

The general application journey is as follows:

Step 1: Identify the correct visa category. Determine the actual purpose of travel and check the relevant subclass, stream and eligibility conditions.

Step 2: Complete any preliminary selection or nomination process. This may include obtaining a Confirmation of Enrolment, receiving an employer nomination, submitting a SkillSelect EOI and receiving an invitation, or being selected in an applicable ballot.

Step 3: Create or access ImmiAccount. Complete the online form using accurate passport, identity, employment, education and travel details.

Step 4: Prepare and upload supporting documents. Follow the checklist applicable to the selected visa. Make sure the information in the application matches the supporting records.

Step 5: Pay the visa application charge. Complete the payment in Australian dollars and retain the confirmation.

Step 6: Complete additional requirements. Follow any biometrics, medical examination or further-document request issued by Home Affairs.

Step 7: Monitor the application. Check ImmiAccount and the registered email address for correspondence and respond within the given deadline.

Step 8: Review the decision. If approved, check the visa grant notice for entry dates, permitted stay, number of entries and any conditions before travelling.

The Australian Government expanded its biometrics collection programme in India from 26 October 2026.

Under the new arrangement, applicants lodging new Australian visa applications in India on or after this date may be required to provide personal identifiers, including fingerprints and a facial image.

This requirement applies to new applications lodged from the effective date. It does not retrospectively affect visas already granted or applications lodged before that date.

Applicants who need to provide biometrics will receive instructions from the Department of Home Affairs. Depending on their circumstances, they may be asked to:

• Attend an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre in India managed by VFS Global.
• Use the Australian Immi App, if eligible and permitted under the instructions received.

Applicants should wait for the official biometrics requirement letter before booking an appointment or attempting to use the app. The collection method and deadline stated in the letter should be followed.

Australian visa processing times vary according to the subclass, stream, application completeness and assessment requirements. Home Affairs publishes processing indicators based on recently decided applications, rather than a guaranteed timeframe for each applicant.

When reviewing the processing guide, applicants should understand two figures:

• 50th percentile: The time within which half of the recently decided applications were processed.
• 90th percentile: The time within which 90% of the recently decided applications were processed.

Visitor, Student, employer-sponsored and skilled migration applications should be checked under their respective categories. The processing period for a skilled visa may also be affected by an earlier nomination, EOI invitation or ballot process.

Applications requiring additional evidence, health examinations, character checks or verification may take longer. Applicants should apply well before their intended travel or course commencement date and avoid making non-refundable arrangements based on an estimated decision date.

Financial requirements depend on the visa category. There is no single minimum bank-balance figure applicable to every Australian visa applicant.

Visitor visa applicants

Applicants must demonstrate that they have, or can access, enough money to support their stay and departure from Australia. Relevant evidence may include personal bank statements, payslips, tax records, audited business accounts or financial support documents from another person.

The amount required depends on the proposed trip, accommodation arrangements and who will pay for the expenses.

For example, someone staying with relatives who provide accommodation may have a different financial arrangement from someone independently funding flights, hotels and daily expenses.

If a sponsor is paying for the visit, the applicant should explain the relationship, the expenses covered and the sponsor’s ability to provide that support.

Student visa applicants

Students must demonstrate financial capacity for travel, the applicable course fees, living expenses and any eligible accompanying family costs.

The published 12-month living-cost figures are:

These figures are only part of the overall calculation. Tuition fees, travel expenses and applicable school expenses must also be considered.

The October 2026 Student visa changes mean that most applicants cannot include family members unless they qualify for an exemption.

Work and skilled migration applicants

Employer-sponsored applicants must meet the applicable occupation and salary requirements. Personal savings do not replace an employer’s nomination or salary obligations.

Skilled migration applicants should concentrate on demonstrating their qualifications, skills assessment, English proficiency and the points claimed in their Expression of Interest. Any additional financial conditions imposed by a relevant state or visa pathway should be checked separately.

• Health and insurance requirements depend on the visa category.
• Student visa applicants are generally required to maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the applicable visa period, unless an exemption applies.
• Visitor visa holders are generally responsible for their own healthcare expenses in Australia. The Australian Government recommends adequate private health insurance for visitors who may not be covered by Medicare.
• Applicants may also be asked to complete medical examinations depending on the visa category, their health circumstances and the Department’s assessment requirements.
• Do not treat travel insurance as a universally mandatory document for every Australian Visitor visa application.

• Choosing the wrong visa category: The purpose and activities stated in the application must match the permissions offered by the selected visa. A Tourist visa cannot be used as a substitute for an employment visa.
• Providing inconsistent information: Passport details, employment information, travel dates and supporting documents should be accurate and consistent.
• Using an incorrect document checklist: Visitor, Student, employer-sponsored and skilled migration applications have different evidence requirements.
• Leaving funding arrangements unclear: Where another person is supporting the trip or education, explain the arrangement and provide appropriate supporting documents.
• Ignoring additional requests: Biometrics, medical examinations and requests for further evidence should be completed within the instructions and deadlines issued by Home Affairs.
• Relying on outdated information: Fees, eligibility, application conditions and government procedures change. Applicants should check current instructions before lodging and paying.

Applying for an Australian visa starts with identifying the category that matches your purpose of travel. Indian passport holders visiting for tourism or business generally need to consider the appropriate Visitor visa (Subclass 600) stream, while those planning to study, work or explore skilled migration have different eligibility and application requirements. Choosing the correct route is important because the permitted activities, supporting documents and visa conditions vary between categories.

Australia's visa requirements and application procedures can also change, as seen with the updated Student visa rules and the expanded biometrics process for applicants in India. Reviewing these requirements before lodging an application can help you avoid incorrect submissions and prepare the relevant documents.

Need assistance with your Australia visa application? BTWVisas can help you understand the applicable visa requirements and organise your supporting documents based on your intended travel purpose. Contact our team to discuss your application.