Australia Visa FAQs for Indians: 25 Questions Answered

The 25 answers below come from the Department of Home Affairs, its visa program reports and the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. Start with the snapshot table, then jump to your question. For a step-by-step application walkthrough, see our Australia visa guide for Indian citizens.

Can Indians travel to Australia without applying first?

1. Is there a visa on arrival for Indians?

No. Home Affairs says only New Zealand passport holders can get a visa on arrival. Indians, like all other passport holders, must hold the right visa before travelling.

2. Can Indians use the ETA or eVisitor?

No. India is not on the eligible-passport lists for the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) or the eVisitor (subclass 651). The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is the route for Indian tourists.

3. Which visitor stream should I choose?

Use the Tourist stream for holidays and family visits, the Business Visitor stream for business enquiries, contract negotiations and conferences, and the Sponsored Family stream if an eligible relative in Australia sponsors you. The Frequent Traveller and Approved Destination Status streams are not open to Indian citizens.

4. Do I need to visit a visa centre or get a visa label?

Usually not. You apply online, and Home Affairs tells you if biometrics are needed; India was not on its list of Australian Biometrics Collection Centre countries as of March 2026. A granted visa is digitally linked to your passport, with no label.

How much will you pay, and in which currency?

5. What is the Australia visitor visa fee for Indians?

AUD 250 for the Tourist stream applied for outside Australia, from 1 July 2026. The Business Visitor and Sponsored Family streams also cost AUD 250. Applying for the Tourist stream from inside Australia costs AUD 630.

6. Is the fee published in rupees?

No. Home Affairs charges in AUD and publishes no INR amount. Your application is not processed until the fee is paid online.

7. Can my spouse and children go on one application?

Not for a visitor visa. Family members cannot be included: each person, including each child, applies and pays separately.

8. Are there costs beyond the visa charge?

Possibly. Home Affairs lists health checks, police certificates and biometrics as other possible costs. You pay these only if the Department asks for them.

How long do Australian visas take for Indian applicants?

9. How long does a tourist visa take?

Home Affairs' global guide (all nationalities, recently decided applications) shows 50% in 21 days and 90% in 33 days. Its Visitor visa program report for Indian citizens granted tourist visas in October-December 2025 shows a median of 14 days, with 75% within 23 days.

10. How fast is a business visitor visa?

The global guide shows 50% of Business Visitor stream applications decided in 7 days and 90% in 19 days.

11. How long does a sponsored family visa take?

The Sponsored Family stream involves a sponsor, who completes Form 1149 and may be asked to pay a security bond. The global guide shows 50% decided in 40 days and 90% in 3 months.

12. Do I have to be outside Australia when I apply?

Yes, for the Tourist stream applied from outside Australia: you must be outside Australia both when you apply and when the visa is decided. A separate Tourist stream for applicants already in Australia costs AUD 630.

What evidence do Indian visitors need to upload?

13. How much bank balance do I need?

Home Affairs sets no fixed figure for visitors. It asks for proof of enough money for your stay and to leave Australia, such as itemised personal bank statements for a 3-month period, pay slips, audited accounts, tax records, term deposits or credit card statements.

14. How do I show I will come back to India?

Home Affairs suggests an employer letter stating you will return to your job, proof of study in India, immediate family in India, or ownership of a house or major assets.

15. Is travel insurance mandatory?

No, but you are liable for all your healthcare costs in Australia and the Department strongly recommends adequate health insurance. In some cases the visa is granted with Condition 8501, which requires you to maintain adequate health insurance.

16. What extra papers do children need?

A birth certificate showing both parents, Form 1229 consent or a statutory declaration from any non-travelling parent with signed photo ID, and Form 1257 if the child will not stay with a relative or guardian.

17. Do documents need translating?

Yes. Translate every non-English document into English with the translator's details. Scan or photograph documents in colour and upload multi-page documents as one file.

How long can you stay, and what can you do there?

18. How long can I stay on a tourist visa?

Up to 12 months, but generally 3 months, decided case by case. The grant letter shows your stay period and whether the visa is single or multiple entry; you can also check entries in VEVO.

19. Can parents of Australian citizens get a longer visa?

Yes. Parents or step-parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents may get a multiple-entry visa valid for more than 12 months, but they may stay no more than 12 months in any 18 months.

20. Can I extend my visitor visa in Australia?

No. Visitor visas cannot be extended; you must apply for a new visa. That is not possible if condition 8503 (No Further Stay) is attached, unless it is waived.

21. Can I study or work on a visitor visa?

The Tourist stream allows study or training of up to 3 months. The Business Visitor stream covers business enquiries, negotiations and conferences, not working for an Australian business.

What about grant rates, students and work routes?

22. How many Indian tourist applications are granted?

Home Affairs' Visitor visa program report gives a grant rate of 69.8% for Indian citizens' tourist visitor visas in October-December 2025, measured as grants as a share of grants plus refusals, down from 73.2% a year earlier. Sponsored Tourist was 61.0% and Business Visitor 80.9%. These are past outcomes, not predictions.

23. What is the student visa grant rate and fee?

For Indian citizens applying outside Australia, the student visa grant rate was 59.5% in October-December 2025 (79.9% in the same quarter of 2024). The main applicant pays AUD 2,500.

24. Are there work-holiday or graduate schemes for Indians?

Two, both by ballot. The Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) is for ages 18 to 30 with at least 2 years of post-secondary study, capped at 1,000 first visas a year for India; the visa costs AUD 840. MATES (subclass 403) offers up to 3,000 places a year to recent graduates of top-100 NIRF institutions in fields such as engineering, ICT and AI; the visa costs AUD 470. Each ballot charges AUD 25 to register and needs a valid PAN card.

25. What changed for student visas on 2 October 2026?

Most Student visa applications must now be lodged outside Australia, and most applicants can no longer include family members. Exemptions include PhD students, DFAT or Defence-sponsored students and fully funded foreign-government scholarship holders. Applications lodged before that date follow the old rules.

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Frequently asked questions

Who do I contact in India for an Australian visa question?

The Department of Home Affairs office at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi manages many visa services for citizens of India. Visa and citizenship enquiries go to the Home Affairs helpline on +61 2 6196 0196.

Can I nominate a migration agent or another person to receive my visa letters?

Yes. Home Affairs lists Form 956A for nominating an authorised recipient and Form 956 for appointing a migration agent. Upload the form with your application.

How old must I be for Australia's MATES scheme?

You must be aged 18 to 30, inclusive, when the ballot registration period opens. You also need a Bachelor degree or higher from a top-100 institution on India's NIRF Overall 2024 list, earned within 2 years before the ballot opens.

How much money do Australian student visa applicants need to show?

If the Document Checklist Tool asks for it, Home Affairs expects AUD 29,710 for 12 months of living costs plus the first 12 months' course fees and AUD 2,000 for travel. Parents' or partner's annual income of at least AUD 87,856 is an alternative.