How to apply online for an Australian Tourist Visa for Filipino Passport Holders?

There are 2 ways of applying, first is to apply via VFS and the 2nd way is to apply online.  I chose the later part since it’s more convenient and stress free. The Australian visa is just in paper form they will just send you a PDF file, so you can just print it. 

Step 1. Know your visa type

For Filipino travellers who will go to Australia for less than 3 months. The visa type you need is called VISITOR SUBCLASS 600. It’s intended for travelers going to Australia for less than 3 months whose purpose is just to travel and not work or study.

The visa I got was a multiple entry valid for 2 years and must be used within 6 months of issuance. I actually go it faster than I expected. I received an email from them 1 day after I applied online. 

Step 2. Sign up for an ImmiAccount 

The ImmiAccount is an account with the Australian Government’s official Immigration website.

https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/register

Step 3. Complete the Application Form

Confirm your account in your email. Once you confirmed your account in your email. Compete the application form. The form is quite long and tedious but doable. Just answer the form truthfully. 

Step 4. Upload the supporting documents

Scan your documents.  I don’t have my own scanner so I downloaded the App, “CamScanner” from my smart phone. It’s very user friendly. Just make sure you will take your pictures clearly. 

The documents you must need to submit.

1.       First Page of your Passport

2.       NSO Birth Certificate (which you can get online and delivered to your house via NSO Website)

3.       Passport Size Photograph ( White Background)

4.       Certified Bank Statements

5.       Certificate of Employment  or  Business Registration in my case. (I just uploaded my DTI permit)

6.       Previous Visas and Past Stamps ( Proof that you are well traveled)

7.       Itinerary ( Make your own itinerary  in an excel file)

Additional Supporting Documents

8.       Latest Credit Card Statement

9.       Income Tax Return

10.   Stock Investments or Mutual Fund Investments

11.   Hotel Bookings ( You can reserve via booking.com which has free cancellation. For visa purposes)

12.   Round trip Tickets ( This is highly discouraged. You must get approved first before booking the flight. I have a lot of friends who were actually planning to go to Australia and got the ticket on sale via Cebu Pac but didn’t get their visa on time. So they wasted their ticket because they got their visa on the day after their flight went to Australia)
13. Notarized Affidavit of Support  (if your parents/ boyfriend/ grandparents are sponsoring your trip) 

Step 5. Pay the Visa Fee

 The visa Fee is 150 AUD but my credit card charged me 6,000Php for foreign exchange charges.

Once you submitted all your application, you will receive an Acknowledgement of Application receipt in your email. From here it’s just a waiting game. 

Frequently asked questions

1.       When will you receive the visa?

In my experience. I got my tourist visa a day after I submitted my application. For some it can take a few days till 1 to 3 months.

2.       How long is the validity of the visa?

In my experience, I got a visa valid for 2 years. Multiple Entry. For some , you can get a 3 months single entry visa.

3.       How much money must be in your bank account?

There is no exact amount but you must at least have 140 AUD per day your travelling to Australia to prove that you are financially capable of being there.

4.       How early should you apply?

In my case, I actually applied 7 months before my trip. I advise you to apply 6 months before your trip.