How to Apply for an Australia Tourist Visa: A Step-by-Step Guide for Philippine Passport Holders
Imagine yourself strolling through Melbourne’s laneways, watching the sunset at Bondi Beach, or exploring the breathtaking landscapes of the Australian outback. The country is home to some of the most iconic travel destinations in the world, making it a dream trip for many Filipino travelers. But before you can pack your bags and book your flights, there’s one essential thing you need to take care of—getting your Australian tourist visa. The process might seem daunting at first, but with the right guidance, it can be straightforward and stress-free.
If you’re a Philippine passport holder, applying for an Australia tourist visa is done online, which means you can complete the process from the comfort of your home. However, it’s important to understand the specific requirements and ensure that you submit a strong application. In this guide, I’ll take you through the process step by step, helping you avoid common pitfalls and increase your chances of approval. Let’s get started and turn your Australian travel dreams into reality!
Australia Tourist Visa Application Process in the Philippines
Navigating the visa application process can be straightforward if you follow these steps:
Step 1: Determine the Appropriate Visa Type
Australia tourist visa is actually pretty straightforward. There’s only one type and that’s Tourism (subclass 600).
Step 2: Create Your Immi Account
Australia visa applications are done entirely online, making it super convenient. I suggest filling up the application form first before preparing your documents, so you have an idea what documents you need to prepare. Visa applications are done through online.immi.gov.au. Just go to this website, create an account, and go through the email verification process.
Step 3: Fill Up Your Application Form
Once your email has been verified, create a new application and fill up your application form. You’ll be asked questions about your current location, identification, purpose of stay in Australia and travel details, travel history in Australia and other countries, your family unit, relatives or friends in Australia, and employment and funding details. Don’t worry if you don’t have all the details with you right away, you can always save your progress and come back to it another day.
If you’re applying as a group, you have the option of using just one account for all applications, but you’ll need separate emails since all individuals will be notified separately. But if you want to use separate accounts, that’s okay, too! You’ll be assigned a group code you can share with your travel companions.
Once you’ve completed your application form, you will be asked to verify your information. Don’t forget to double check everything before moving on to the next step!
Step 4: Submit Your Documents
Once you’ve completed your application, you will be asked to submit some documents. Don’t worry if you don’t have them yet, you can always come back to this step another day!
Some documents will be required, while some will be recommended. But remember that submitting recommended documents may strengthen or weaken your application, so choose your documents wisely! Don’t be fooled by the term “recommended,” the general rule is still to submit at least one document for each category.
Here are the required documents for submission:
Travel Document a.k.a Passport: It is strongly recommended that your passport be valid for at least six months.
National Identity Document (other than Passport): You may submit any government ID such as a national ID, birth certificate, marriage certificate, driver’s license, or PRC license card. Only one is required but you may submit as many as you want.
Evidence of previous travel, if applicable: If you have prior history of travel, submit a photo of entry and exit stamps from your current and expired passports, and visa documents.
Here are the recommended documents for submission:
Family register and composition: Download Form 54 and fill it up.
Evidence of planned tourism activities in Australia: Submit an itinerary and include your daily activities and accommodations. There’s no template for this, unfortunately, so just type it out as clearly as you can.
Evidence of financial status and funding for visit: You can submit any financial document such as bank and/or credit card statements, title deed of your property, mortgage documents, tax document, payslips, retirement pension books, and other relevant documents as proof of financial status.
Evidence of current employment or self-employment: If you are employed, submit a certificate of employment, payslip, or evidence of approved leave. If you are a business owner, you may submit your business license or registration.
Invitation from family, friends, or organization: If applicable. You may also be asked to provide your inviter’s passport, proof of residence/home ownership, and certificate of employment.
Group tour details, if applicable: If you are traveling through a group tour, then submit the following documents: itinerary, group tour participant list, and letter or statement from the organization or educational institution sponsoring the tour.
Evidence of change of name, if applicable: If you indicated in your application that you have changed your name, submit documentary evidence in this category (e.g. marriage certificate, certificate of finality).
Step 5: Pay the Application Fee
After submitting your documents, you’ll be instructed to pay the visa application fee. As of this date’s publication, the application fee is AUD 195, which is equivalent to PHP ~7000. It’s pretty expensive! So you’ll have to make the most of your application!
Step 6: Biometrics
After payment, you will instantly receive an email requesting for biometrics. This is done in any of the three VFS Global centers in the Philippines (Manila, Cebu, Davao). This is the only step done face to face!
There is a fee of PHP 557 if you’re planning to have your biometrics done during office hours. But if going on weekends or after office hours is unavoidable for you, then there would be an additional charge of PHP 2350 (total of PHP 2907) per applicant. The process is super quick! You’ll be in and out in a matter of minutes.
Don’t forget to bring a printed copy of your biometrics request since it is required to enter the building, and they will need the barcode to process your biometrics.
I’ll make a separate guide on this so come back to check it out!
Step 7: Await the Results!
Once you’ve accomplished the biometrics requirement, then your part is done! All you have to do is to wait for the Department of Home Affairs to process your application. You can track the progress of your application through your Immi Account.
There is no set visa processing time since it frequently changes depending on the volume of applicants on the day of your application. You can check this our real-time through this link. Just enter your visa type, visa stream, and application date, and the website will provide the estimated processing time.
During the visa processing period, your assigned agent may ask you for additional documents. In case this happens to you, your visa processing period will fall under the “90% processed" category. If there are no issues with your application, your visa processing period will likely fall under the “50% processed” category.
Once your visa is granted, you will receive an email containing your visa. It will come in a pdf document which you will have to print out and bring with you on your flight to Australia.
Final Thoughts
You’re now one step closer to experiencing Australia’s stunning destinations, incredible wildlife, and world-famous attractions! Securing a tourist visa is just the beginning of an unforgettable adventure, and with this guide, you’re well-prepared to handle the application process with confidence.
If you’re still feeling unsure, take it one step at a time and double-check all your documents before submission. And remember, patience is key—visa processing can take time, but it’ll all be worth it when you finally set foot in Australia. Wishing you all the best with your application, and I can’t wait for you to experience the adventure that awaits you in the Land Down Under!
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Not sure what documents you need for an Australian visa? You’re not alone! Many Filipino travelers find the visa process daunting, especially because the application is done online without the help of travel agents. But with the right guidance, it doesn’t have to be stressful! Understanding the requirements ahead of time can make a huge difference in ensuring a smooth and successful application.