If you’re a Thai national planning a trip to Australia, one of the first practical questions you’ll want answered is the Australian tourist visa fee. It’s a fair question, and the answer is more straightforward than most people expect. That said, there are a few layers to it beyond the basic government fee that are worth understanding before you budget.
This guide breaks down the full picture of what’s involved when applying for this particular type of visa, from the government application fee through to the other costs that can catch applicants off guard.
The Visa You’re Applying For: Subclass 600
The standard visa for Thai nationals visiting Australia is the Visitor Visa, Subclass 600. It covers short-term visits for tourism, holidays, visiting family or friends, or attending events. Thai citizens are not eligible for the Australian ETA (Electronic Travel Authority), which means the Subclass 600 is the primary pathway.
The Subclass 600 can be granted for stays of up to three, six, or 12 months. Applications are lodged online through the Department of Home Affairs’ ImmiAccount system.
The Government Application Fee
The visa fee for the Subclass 600 tourist visa is set by the Australian Government and is reviewed periodically. As of 2026, the standard application fee for the Subclass 600 tourist stream is approximately AUD $200 plus processing charges per applicant. This fee is payable at the time of lodgement and is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the application.
A few things worth knowing about this fee:
- It is charged per person. If you are applying as a family or group, each individual lodges their own application and pays the fee separately.
- Paying the fee does not guarantee a visa will be granted. It covers the processing of the application, not the visa itself.
- The fee applies to the tourist stream of the Subclass 600. Other streams, such as the Frequent Traveler visitor stream, may have different requirements.
For the most current Australian tourist visa fee, we recommend checking the Department of Home Affairs website directly at the time you apply, as fees are subject to change.
Additional Costs to Budget For
The government fee is the starting point, but for most Thai applicants there are additional costs to consider:
- Agent fees: If you engage a registered migration agent or visa assistance service, there will be a professional fee on top of the government charge. The benefit is a well-reviewed application that reduces the risk of delays or a refusal.
- Document translation: Any supporting documents that are not in English, including bank statements, employment letters, or financial records, may need to be translated by a certified translator. This adds to the overall cost.
- Biometrics: Thai nationals may be required to provide biometric data (fingerprints and a photograph) as part of the application process. This is collected at an authorised VFS Global centre in Thailand and involves a separate collection fee.
- Health examinations: Medical checks are not routinely required for tourist visa applications, but the Department of Home Affairs can request one in certain circumstances. If required, this is an additional cost.
What the Australia Visa Fee for Tourist Applications Covers
The Australia visa fee for tourist applications covers the administrative processing of your application by the Department of Home Affairs. To be completely clear: the Australian tourist visa fee covers the processing, not the outcome. If your application is refused, the fee is not returned.
This is why preparing a thorough, well-supported application matters. A refusal doesn’t just cost you the time of the application process. It can also affect your future applications to Australia.
What Affects Whether the Application Is Approved?
The cost of applying is straightforward. The more important consideration is making sure the application actually gets approved. For Thai nationals applying for the Subclass 600, the Department of Home Affairs will assess:
- Genuine temporary entrant requirement: You must demonstrate that your visit is genuinely temporary and that you intend to return to Thailand. This is the most common reason tourist visa applications from Thailand are refused.
- Financial capacity: You need to show you have sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay in Australia.
- Ties to Thailand: Evidence of employment, property ownership, family obligations, or other genuine reasons to return strengthens the application considerably.
- Travel history: A strong record of complying with visa conditions in Australia or other countries is viewed positively by the Department.
A well-prepared application addresses each of these points with clear, relevant supporting documents.
Does Using an Agent Make a Difference?
For straightforward tourist visa applications, many people apply independently without difficulty. But there are situations where professional assistance is genuinely worthwhile: if you’ve had a previous visa refusal, if your circumstances are more complex (for example, visiting a partner who is on a partner visa or attending a medical procedure), or if you simply want the confidence that your application has been reviewed by someone who knows how much an Australian visa costs to get wrong. Applying for a visitor visa from Thailand has never been harder, so it may be worth getting advice before starting the process.
A registered migration agent can review your documents before lodgement, identify any issues that could lead to a refusal, and help you present your application clearly and completely.
Ready to Apply for Your Australian Tourist Visa?
If you’re a Thai national planning a visit to Australia and want to make sure your application is well-prepared, the team at Australian Visas Thailand is here to help. Get in touch directly for a consultation. We’ll make sure your application gives you the best chance of a smooth, straightforward approval.
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