Procedures and Tips for Applying for Independent Tourist Visas to Australia in Detail

Applying for a self-guided tourist visa to Australia can be quite a headache for most first-time travelers, as the process requires many documents and complex registration procedures. Therefore, this article will summarize all the useful information related to applying for a tourist visa to Australia, helping you complete it more smoothly and easily.

1. What type of visa should you apply for when traveling to Australia?

If you want to apply for a visa for independent travel to beautiful Australia, you need to apply for an Australian Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) under the Tourist Stream. This is a type of visa that allows citizens from other countries to enter Australia for a certain period for purposes such as tourism, vacation, visiting relatives, and more.

2. Conditions for applying for a tourist visa to Australia

To ensure a smooth visa application process to Australia, you need to meet all the following important criteria:

Clearly demonstrate the purpose of your trip, along with specific dates and itineraries.
Provide all required government-issued identification documents.
Prove that you have sufficient financial means to cover all expenses in Australia, including accommodation, food, and entertainment.
Demonstrate that you have stable employment in your home country.
Do not enter Australia (or have the intention to enter) before the government grants you a tourist visa.
Enter and exit Australia within the specified visa duration.

conditions for applying for an Australian tourist visa

Citizens from other countries need to meet the criteria of personal identity, finances and travel plans in Australia to successfully apply for a visa.

3. What documents are required for a tourist visa application to Australia?

If you want to successfully apply for an Australian self-guided tourist visa, you must prepare the necessary documents below:

3.1 Personal documents

When providing information for your visa application, you will need the following basic documents:

Birth certificate.
National ID card or citizen card.
Passport.
Household registration book.
Personal resume (with confirmation from the relevant authorities).
Marriage registration or marital status confirmation.
Passport-sized photos (4x6 cm).

For children under 18 traveling with their relatives:

Birth certificate.
Personal resume (with confirmation from the relevant authorities).
School enrollment confirmation from the current school.
Leave permit from school.
Passport-sized photos (4x6 cm).

For students aged 18 to 22 traveling with parents or relatives:

Birth certificate.
Personal resume (with confirmation from the relevant authorities).
National ID card or citizen card.
Student enrollment confirmation from the current school.
Leave permit from school.
Passport-sized photos (4x6 cm).

3.2 Financial Proof Documents

In addition to personal documents for your visa application as mentioned above, another mandatory requirement for an Australian tourist visa application is to prove your financial capability to the Australian government. You can do this by providing:

Bank savings account statement or balance confirmation (minimum of 350 million VND and a deposit period of at least 4 months).
Certificate of land or property ownership (if applicable).
Certificate of ownership of a registered vehicle (if applicable).
Recent bank statements or credit card statements showing the current balance (if applicable).

These documents help increase your credibility with the Australian government and confirm that you are only traveling for tourism, vacation, or visiting purposes.

3.3 Employment Proof Documents

Alongside financial proof documents, if you are currently employed in Vietnam, you need to include additional documents such as:

Employment contract.
Salary increase/promotion/tenure decision letter (if applicable).
Leave application for the travel period.
Salary confirmation with a company-validated seal (within the last 3 months) or bank statements (if receiving salary through bank transfers).
Social insurance.

3.4 Proof of Travel Plans to Australia

If you are traveling to Australia for tourism, you must provide detailed proof of your travel plans:

If traveling with a tour group, you can contact the service provider to obtain a detailed itinerary.
In the case of independent travel, you should plan your itinerary yourself, including details about the duration, destinations, activities, departure and return dates, etc.
If using an Australian tourist visa for visiting relatives, you need to prove your relationship with them (through household registration), provide an invitation letter, and a copy of their passport.

Please note:

Depending on individual circumstances, visa application officers may request additional documents beyond those mentioned above.
Missing any required documents or providing inaccurate information can result in an immediate visa rejection and may affect future visa applications.
All documents must be scanned in color to upload to the online Australian visa application system.

4. Detailed Procedures for Applying for an Australian Tourist Visa

The process for applying for an Australian tourist visa includes four basic steps:

4.1 Prepare Your Documents

Before submitting your visa application, you must complete several important tasks:

Check your passport: Your passport must have a remaining validity that covers your entire stay in Australia (at least 6 months). If you need to renew or extend your passport, you should do so at least 5-8 working days before submitting your visa application.
Complete a health check: Australia has strict health requirements for incoming travelers, so you should proactively undergo a general health check to provide proof if required.
Translate your documents: All documents for the Australian visa application must be translated into English and scanned into image files as required.
Verify accuracy: All information provided in your Australian tourist visa application must be validated for accuracy (through supporting documents, invoices, etc.).

4.2 Submit Your Application Online

Currently, you can complete the process of applying for an Australian tourist visa online in six simple steps:

Step 1: Visit the link https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login.
Step 2: Log in to your ImmiAccount (IMMI) if you already have one. If not, you can register for an ImmiAccount.
Step 3: Select "Lodge New Application" and then choose "Visitor" and "Visitor Visa (600)" to start completing your application. You will need to provide information such as trip details, personal information, Australian visa history, contact information, employment details, financial information, health declaration, and upload documents (e.g., photos, ID card, passport, household registration, etc.).
Step 4: If you are traveling with friends or family, create separate applications for them. The process is similar to Step 3.
Step 5: Make the online payment for your Australian tourist visa fee using international credit cards, PayPal, UnionPay, or BPAY.
Step 6: Click "I confirm that I have provided all necessary documents as required" and wait for further instructions.

Please note:

The Australian government may request additional documents, so it's essential to regularly check your ImmiAccount for updates and submit any required documents as soon as possible.
The maximum file size for attachments is 5MB, and PDF files or encrypted files are not accepted.
Do not travel to Australia until your Australian visa is confirmed by the Australian government.
If you discover any incorrect information and wish to make changes (or update new information), access your ImmiAccount, select "Update Details," and follow the instructions to report the error accurately.

4.3 Schedule an Appointment and Collect Biometric Data

Typically, after about 1 day of submitting your Australian visa application online, IMMI will send you an email requesting additional biometric data (including fingerprints and a digital facial photo). You need to print this file and follow these steps:

Step 1: Schedule an appointment to collect biometric data at the VFS Australia Center at a time that suits you, using this link: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/vnm/vi/aus/register.
Step 2: Bring your original passport, appointment sheet, and the biometric data collection request to the VFS Australia Center at the specified time and location. After providing your fingerprints and taking photos, you will need to pay the fee and await the visa result.

Please note:

The fee for biometric data collection is 439,000 VND per appointment.
Each passport can only schedule one biometric data collection appointment.
You can change appointment information up to two times.
It's essential to schedule the biometric data collection appointment within 14 days from the date of your visa application.

4.4 Monitor Your Application and Receive Results

Once the Australian government receives your information, they will review, verify, and notify you of the results as soon as possible. You can track the status of your application on the ImmiAccount website.

Australian tourist visa application process

As soon as you have prepared all the necessary documents, you can start applying for a visa online on the ImmiAccount website.

5. Scenarios Leading to Australian Visa Rejection

If your Australian tourist visa application falls into any of the following scenarios, there is a high likelihood that it will not be accepted:

Poor travel history (such as not meeting the entry and exit requirements specified on the visa, traveling to prohibited locations in Australia, engaging in disruptive or destructive behavior at previous travel destinations, etc.).
Incomplete documentation as per Australian government requirements.
A criminal record or pending criminal charges.
Use of false information or misrepresentation regarding travel history, travel duration, savings account, financial capability, etc.
Expired visa/passport.
Appearing hesitant or unprepared when questioned about personal information, travel plans, the purpose of the trip, etc.

6. Frequently Asked Questions About Australian Tourist Visas

Regarding the process of applying for an Australian tourist visa, many people have questions:

6.1 What is the validity period and duration of stay for an Australian tourist visa?

The validity period of an Australian tourist visa for Vietnamese citizens can be up to 12 months. The duration of stay in Australia depends on the type of visa issued by the Australian government. For example, with a single-entry visa, you can choose any period within the 12-month visa validity to travel to Australia for a maximum of 3 months. If you have a multiple-entry visa, you can travel to Australia an unlimited number of times within the 12-month visa validity, but each stay is limited to a maximum of 3 months.

6.2 How much is the fee for an Australian tourist visa?

The fee for an Australian visa (applicable to citizens outside Australia) starts at AUD 190 (approximately 3,040,000 VND per application). If there are any changes, the Australian government will inform you directly through the registered email.

6.3 How long does it take to process an Australian visa?

The processing time varies from 3 to 22 days depending on the status of each application. You should plan your travel schedule accordingly when choosing the appropriate time to apply for an Australian visa.

6.4 Is it difficult to obtain an Australian tourist visa?

If you meet all the conditions and follow the procedures correctly, the process of obtaining an Australian tourist visa is straightforward.

After completing your Australian tourist visa application and receiving a confirmation notification, the next step is to promptly visit the official Vietjet website and find the most suitable flight to Australia. Currently, Vietjet operates a variety of routes from Vietnam to major cities in Australia such as Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, with very affordable prices for customers to choose from.

Popular flights from Australia to Vietnam by Vietjet Air:

Additionally, remember to keep an eye on ticket prices, promotions, and travel-related information for your journey to Australia through all Vietjet channels to enjoy attractive benefits and offers.