My Australia Tourist Visa Approved! How to Apply Online in 5 Steps

[UPDATE]: As of April 2023, Filipinos can already travel to Australia without restrictions. Read the latest COVID-19 travel updates from the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs here, and check the border status here.

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Of all my visa applications, I can say that applying for an Australia tourist visa or visitor visa, was the easiest for me. Simply because it can all be done online. Plus, an Income Tax Return (ITR) is not a requirement. Isn’t it great? This makes it easier for freelancers who still don’t have this document for their self-employment.

Also read: Japan Visa without ITR — Tips on How I Successfully Did It!

By the way, one of my travel buddies got denied on his first attempt to apply for an Australia visitor visa. But the good thing about the Australian visa is that you can re-apply as soon as you get denied. I’ll share with you the tips on how my friend got approved on his second application. Meanwhile, make sure you follow these steps carefully:

Australia tourist visa for Filipinos online steps

Step 1: Make your Immigration Australia ImmiAccount

Go to the ImmiAccount portal and click “Create ImmiAccount”. Write your new user details such as complete name, contact numbers, and email address. Then, you indicate your username, password, and secret questions.

To continue, you have to agree to their terms and conditions. Once you submit, an email verification will be sent to you.

Tip: Make sure that your email is valid and active. All notices, updates, and your final Australia visitor visa will be sent there.

Step 2: Log in to create your Australia visitor visa application

Once your email is verified, log in to your ImmiAccount and create your Australian tourist visa application. Select Visitor Visa (600) if you’re travelling to Australia as a tourist for not more than one year. You will have to fill in and answer about 20 pages but you don’t have to answer them all at once. Answer any that you can. Click “Next” if you want to proceed to the next page, and “Save” if you want to take a break first and complete it later.

Tip: It took me about three days to finish all the pages, so take your time. Double check or triple check all details before you finally click “Submit”. Any errors or data inconsistencies could compromise your Australian visa application.

Step 3: Scan and attach your Australia visa requirements

On the last part of your application, you will have to attach your Australia visa requirements proving your identity and travel capacity. You can submit and attach up to 60 documents. Here’s how to attach documents in your ImmiAccount.

Here’s a list of what I submitted and attached for my Australia visitor visa:

• Passport Size Photo (front and back with signature)
• Passport Bio Page (current and old passport)
• NSO Birth Certificate
• Old Visas and Entry/Exit Stamps
• Employment Certificate with Approved Leaves
• Bank Statement and Bank Certificate
• Daily Itinerary and Flight Tickets

Tip: Download CamScanner app on your mobile phone. I used this mobile app to scan my documents. You can scan, crop and edit your documents to make them clear.

Step 4: Pay the Australian tourist visa application fee

Submit all your documents and pay the Australia visa application fee. You can pay using PayPal or credit card.

At the time of my application in 2018, I paid ₱5,776.15 (AU$141.37) inclusive of credit card charges, but you may check the Australia visa fees now. Once you pay, you will then get an acknowledgement email that your Australian tourist visa application has been received.

Step 5: Keep calm and wait for your Australia tourist visa

Australia visa processing time could vary from 48 hours to 20 working days. Fortunately, I got my multiple-entry Visitor Visa (subclass 600) after five working days. That quick!

Breakdown of my Australian visa expenses

• Australia visa application fee = ₱5,776.15 (AU$141.37)
• Bank certificate / statements = ₱100
• Passport photo = ₱150
• Total = ₱6,026.15

Australia visitor visa application tips to increase chances of approval

As what I’ve said, my friend was denied on his first Australian tourist visa application, but he applied right after adding more supporting documents. If you get denied, re-evaluate your application, correct any error, add more proofs of travel capacity, and re-apply as soon as you can! There is no holding time for Australia visa re-application.

Also read: 7 Tips to Increase Your Chances of Visa Approval

Tip #1: Submit certified true copies of documents

If your documents look dubious, I recommend that you submit certified true copies of these documents before scanning and submitting them online. My friend submitted a not-so-professional-looking payslip. We think it was a major factor for his visa denial.

Tip #2: Attach supporting documents

Flight tickets and hotel reservations are NOT required, but they could show proof that you are capable of paying for your travels and that you will return to your home country because you already booked a return ticket.  My friend didn’t attach these documents on his first application.

Tip #3: Scan the printed copies of your bank statements

Downloaded copies of your online bank statements do not count as official bank statements. My friend did this in his attempt to save money. Do not scrimp on your official documents.

Tip #4: Show proof of travel history

You may attach old visas, eVisas, and passport stamps on your old and new passport.

Tip #5: Create a cover letter

A cover letter is not required for Australia visa, but it doesn’t hurt to submit one especially if your situation needs to be explained. My friend submitted a cover letter on his re-application, and it worked!

Tip #6: When travelling as a group, input your group name

If you are travelling with someone or with a group, you could indicate this in Step 2. You can assign a group name with a list of members. Tell your travel buddies to input the same group name when they apply for their own visas individually. With this, the Australian embassy can tell who you’re travelling with, and crosscheck all your information.

Hope you find this Australian visa guide helpful. Best of luck in your application soon!

Also read: Meeting the Cute Animals of Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia

Disclaimer: I don’t claim to be a visa expert here. Although I was granted a multiple-entry Australia Visitor Visa, I still recommend that you check out Immigration Australia or the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs for your questions and concerns. Visit their official website here.