What are the Requirements for a Tourist Visa with a Sponsor in Australia?

Australia is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. It is famous for its breathtaking scenery, stunning beaches, pollution-free environment, and welcoming community. 

According to the reports, approximately 5.8 million foreign visitors visited Australia as of June 2023. This is a noteworthy increase, suggesting that Australia’s tourism sector is steadily improving.

So, if you have family members in Australia who can sponsor you to visit Australia, this blog post is for you. It is important for you to be aware of the general requirements for a tourist visa with a sponsor in Australia.

What is a Sponsored Family Stream (Tourist Visa) in Australia?

A tourist visa (subclass 600) is designed for those individuals who are sponsored by their family members in Australia. With this visa, you can visit your family members, enjoy vacations, or study for up to three months in Australia. 

Important Information: If you don’t have any family members who can sponsor you, you must consider applying for the tourist stream of a visitor visa (subclass 600), as it doesn’t require a sponsor.

But if you have a sponsor in Australia and are planning to apply for a tourist visa, here are the eligibility criteria that you must meet.

What are the Requirements for a Tourist Visa in Australia?

Fulfill these requirements to be eligible for a tourist visa with a sponsor in Australia:

Health Requirements

In order to be eligible for a visitor visa (subclass 600) in Australia, you must meet certain health requirements. All applicants should go through a mandatory medical examination at the time of application submission. Moreover, if you are from a country with higher risk, you may also be required to undergo additional vaccinations.

Character Requirements

You must be of good moral character to apply for a sponsored family stream. You must not have had a substantial criminal record in the past. Moreover, you must not have been found guilty of a child-related sexual offense. For this purpose, you have to submit a police clearance certificate proving that you have not been involved in any criminal convictions. 

Sponsorship Requirements

Sponsorship is one of the mandatory requirements for a tourist visa in Australia. Therefore, you must have a sponsor to apply for this visa. However, your sponsor must fulfill following requirements:

• Your sponsor must be a family member.
• A sponsor can’t be a fiancé, in-law, cousin, friend, or New Zealand citizen.
• The sponsor must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• The sponsor must be at least 18 years old.

Financial Requirements

You must be financially stable enough to support yourself during your stay in Australia. 

Must be a Genuine Visitor

You must be a genuine visitor who wants to stay in Australia for a limited period of time. Moreover, make sure to obey all the visa conditions during your stay in the country. 

Other Requirements

If you or your family members owe any debts to the Australian government, it is mandatory for you to pay them back or make arrangements to do so before applying for this visa stream. It also implies that those family members who are not applying for a sponsored family stream visa with you but owe debts to the Australian Government. 

Are you still confused? Contact us now to get the answers to your questions and concerns.

Document Checklist for a Sponsored Family Stream (Subclass 600)

Here is the list of documents required for an Australian tourist visa:

Identity documents

• Your current passport showing your photo, personal details, passport issue, and expiry dates.
• A national identity card.
• Evidence name change (if applicable)

Genuine visitor documents

Provide as much evidence as you can to demonstrate that you are a temporary tourist to Australia. It includes the following:

Evidence that you have enough funds to stay and depart Australia. It can include:

• Personal bank statements 
• Pay slips 
• Audited accounts 
• Tax records or credit card limit.

An invitation letter from your sponsor. The letter might include the following details:

• Your relationship with your sponsor.
• Purpose of your visit to Australia.
• Length of stay and your plans during your stay in Australia.
• Accommodation details and financial stability information.

Evidence stating the reasons for your return to your home country, such as:

• A letter from your company stating you will return to your home country to continue your job.
• Evidence that you are enrolled at a school, college, or university in your home country.
• Evidence that you have immediate family or dependents in your home country.
• Evidence demonstrating that you own property or other major assets in your home country.

Character documents

You will be asked to provide a police clearance certificate or discharge papers as proof that you have good moral character.

Financial Documents

Provide the following documents demonstrating that you have enough money to support your stay in Australia:

• Copies of bank statements 
• Copies of documents showing property or any other assets you own.
• Taxation documents.
• Statutory declaration if your sponsor is paying for your stay in Australia. 

Important Note: Even if you have friends or family paying for your trip, it’s still important to submit documentation of your own financial situation. The Department of Home Affairs pays attention to your financial stability as an important factor while assessing situations that can encourage you to return to your home country.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it—a comprehensive guide to a tourist visa with a sponsor in Australia. By now, you have understood what a sponsored family stream is, its eligibility requirements, and the documents required to submit an application for this visa. So, what’s next? 

It’s definitely submitting a flawless visa application for a sponsored family stream. I would recommend seeking professional advice in this matter to avoid visa rejection or cancellation.  Therefore, schedule an online appointment now and allow us to help you navigate through the Australian visa application process. 

FAQs

Can you sponsor a friend for a tourist visa to Australia?

No, you cannot sponsor a friend for a tourist visa to Australia. You can sponsor family members, but there is no provision to sponsor a friend in Australia. However, an invitation letter from a friend for a visitor visa (subclass 600) can prove a helpful addition.

How much money do I need to sponsor a visitor to Australia?

The Department of Home Affairs may ask the sponsor to pay the security bond. The amount requested by the government usually ranges from AUD 5000 to AUD 15,000. However, this amount will be refunded if your visitor follows the terms of their visa and departs Australia before it expires. 

What documents do I need for an Australia tourist visa?

Here is the list of documents that you need to submit for an Australian tourist visa:

• A valid passport.
• Two recent passport-size photographs.
• Police clearance certificate.
• Medical examination.
• Bank statements for the last 3 months.
• Invitation letter from your family members.
• Genuine visitor documents

What are the steps to apply for a tourist visa with a sponsor in Australia?

Follow this step-by-step process to apply for a tourist visa with a sponsor in Australia:

• Check your eligibility.
• Gather and organize your documents.
• Create an online account on the ImmiAccount website.
• Download the application form and fill it out.
• Submit your application form.
• Wait for the visa outcome.