TOURIST VISA SUBCLASS 600 - VISA CONDITIONS EXPLAINED

Visa Conditions Imposed on the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa in Australia

The Subclass 600 Visitor Visa allows genuine temporary entrants to visit Australia for tourism, family visits, or certain business activities. This visa often comes with several mandatory and discretionary visa conditions, which outline what you can and cannot do while in Australia. Understanding these conditions is essential for compliance and to avoid issues with future travel or visa applications.

Below is a clear overview of the most common visa conditions attached to the Subclass 600 visa.

1. Condition 8101 – No Work

Condition 8101 states that visa holders must not work in Australia.

This prohibits:

• Any form of paid employment
• Unpaid work that would normally be done by an employee

Acceptable activities include:

• Genuine volunteer work that is incidental to tourism
• Tasks where no wages are received (other than meals or accommodation)

Breaching this condition can result in visa cancellation and difficulties with future visa applications.

2. Condition 8201 – Study Up to 3 Months Only

Condition 8201 limits study or training to a maximum of 3 months.

Permitted:

• English programs
• Short courses or workshops
• Business or professional training lasting under 3 months

Anything longer requires a visa that permits extended study, such as the Student Visa (Subclass 500).

3. Condition 8501 – Maintain Adequate Health Insurance

Condition 8501 requires visa holders to maintain adequate health insurance for the entire duration of their stay in Australia.

This condition may be applied when:

• The applicant is from a non-RHCA (Reciprocal Health Care Agreement) country
• The case officer considers the applicant’s situation to need health coverage

Acceptable insurance may include:

• Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC)
• Comprehensive international travel insurance that meets Australian standards

Visitors can compare health insurance options for the Subclass 600 visa at:
www.600visainsurance.com.au

4. Condition 8503 – No Further Stay (If Imposed)

Condition 8503 prevents the visa holder from applying for most other visas while in Australia.
A waiver is available only if new, compelling, and compassionate circumstances arise after visa grant.

5. Condition 8531 – Must Leave Before Visa Expiry

Condition 8531 requires the visitor to depart Australia before the visa expires.
The person cannot remain beyond the expiry date, even by one day, without becoming unlawful.

6. Condition 8558 – 12-Month Stay Limit in a 18-Month Period

Condition 8558 restricts visa holders to a maximum of 12 months in Australia within any rolling 18-month period.

This applies even if:

• The visa is valid for several years
• The person frequently enters and leaves Australia

Non-compliance may result in refusal of entry on arrival.

7. Condition 8507 – Business Activity Limitation (Applied to Some Streams)

For certain Business Visitor stream visas, holders must not engage in work or active business operations.
Permitted activities include:

• Attending meetings
• Negotiations
• Conferences

Working, selling, or providing services may breach the condition.

8. Other Possible Conditions (Less Common)

In rare or specialised situations, additional conditions may be applied, including modified work limitations or activity restrictions depending on the purpose of the visit.

Understanding Your Visa Conditions

Each visa grant notice will list the exact conditions applied to the individual application.
These may be:

• Mandatory (automatic)
• Discretionary (case officer imposed)

Visa holders must review these conditions carefully to ensure compliance.

Why Compliance Matters

Breaching visa conditions can lead to:

• Visa cancellation
• Detention or removal from Australia
• Refusal of future visas
• Border entry issues

Always check your visa grant letter and seek professional advice if you are unsure.