Australia is definitely on most Filipinos’ bucket list. It’s a haven for beach lovers, water sports fanatics, adventure-seekers, and nature lovers. Even their cities are exceptional and considered as the most livable places in the world! Before you can get there, every Filipino needs an Australian visa first.
Applying for a visa doesn’t have to be scary. There’s this confusion about getting the right documents and the terrible wait whether you’re approved or not. Surely there has to be an easier way to know what you need to do and how to do it correctly!
Fortunately, Australia has an online visa application website, where you can process everything.
For this post, I’m going to be focusing on the online application.
I’ve listed down everything every Filipino needs to know to get a visa to Australia!
How to get an Australian Visa
- Determine what type of visa you need
If you’re not sure which visa you need, I recommend answering the quick quiz at Visa Finder. Get ready to answer questions pertaining to your plans. For example, the purpose of you trip, your passport’s country of issuance, and age. For tourist, family, or business visitors, you can choose Visitor Visa (subclass 600) – Tourist Stream. Visa durations can be 3, 6, or 12 months.
Through this type of visa, you can enjoy traveling around the country, visit your friends and family, participate in business visitor activities, and even study for as long as 3 months.
- Prepare the required documents
Below is a list of documents that you need before starting. Make sure that you scan everything in .jpg or .png format. Each file should be smaller than 5MB.
- Passport-sized photo of applicant – digital copy 45 mm x 35 mm in size, your head and shoulders should be captured on a plain background
- Passport – Scanned data page of your valid passport displaying your name and passport details
- Family register and composition form
- Form 54 (Family composition)
- PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) Birth Certificate – For late registered birth certificates, you can submit a certified true copy of your medical records at the time of the birth
- Marriage Certificate – If you have changed your name
- Evidence of the financial status and funding for visit – Any of the following documents:
- Personal bank statements – Issued within the last three months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
- Payslips
- Title deed
- Evidence of current employment or self-employment
- For employees
- Letter from employer indicating your position title
- Approved leave request
- Certificate of employment
- Company ID
- Business Card
- For self-employed or business-owners
- Business registration, business permit
- SEC or DTI
- Annual ITR
- Finance sheets
- For students
- Certificate of enrollment
- School ID
- Letter from your relative or friend in Australia, inviting you to visit – They should include how you two are related, the length of your stay, the purpose of your visit, and if you will stay with them. If they will pay for your visit, they should state it too and present proof of their funds.
- Evidence of planned tourist activities in Australia – Include a sample daily itinerary of your trip
- Accommodation details
- Flight bookings – include return tickets from Australia, if you have purchased them to show you intend to come back to the Philippines
- Tour bookings
- Places to visit
- Activities to do
- Evidence of the applicant’s previous travels – Scanned files of past and present passports with stamps and visas
- Create an ImmiAccount
Go to https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login and create an ImmiAccount. It’s the official online platform for the Australian government to process visa applications around the world! Here you can do the following things:
- Submit your application form
- Receive updates on your application’s status
- Manage your personal details
After registering, you will receive a confirmation link at the email you provided. Confirm your email account before accessing your ImmiAccount. If you haven’t received an email, check the email address you used in your application form, or go to your Spam folder to check if the email went there.
If you are traveling in a group, only one person needs to register for an ImmiAccount.
- Fill up the online application form
Once confirmed, you can now apply for a visa. Click “New application,” and then select “Visitor,” and then “Visitor Visa (600).” Answer everything completely and honestly. Be prepared to provide personal details, employment status, health details, travel information, financial standing, and other details.
The application form is 20-pages long. Always remember to SAVE your form! You can go back to it any time as long as you do NOT submit it.
- Upload your documents to your ImmiAccount
Remember the documents you gathered in step 2? This is the step where you will upload and attach them to your ImmiAccount. Your ImmiAccount will tell you all the documents you need to attach and whether you need to do so before or after submitting the form.
Successfully attached documents will appear as “Received” above. Watch out for a green check mark that confirms the upload. Depending on the type of visa, you may also need additional documents.
Each person can attach up to 60 documents. They accept files in the following formats: .doc, .jpg, .png, .pdf (non encrypted), .ppt, .txt, or .xlsx.
- Pay the application fee
Go over your application form and attached documents one last time. Once everything is okay, you can now pay online through the following methods:
- Credit card (Mastercard, VISA, Diners Club International, American Express, JCB)
- Debit card (Visa and Mastercard)
- Paypal
- UnionPay.
The Australian visa fees depend on the day’s exchange rate.
For Visitor Visa, expect to pay around AUD 145.00 (roughly PHP 5,000) per person. This does not include the corresponding surcharges.
- Download the referral letter for Health examination
To find out if you are required to undergo a health examination, go to the “View health assessment” link. If you see a link named “Organise health examinations,” you are required to do a health exam. Click the link and answer with your medical history. Once complete, you will receive a referral letter with your HAP ID. Wait until an Immigration Officer emails you before starting with your health exam.
You can do your medical in the following places:
- Nationwide Health Systems Aux, Inc. (Salcedo St. Legaspi Village, Makati City)
- St Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic (Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City)
Don’t forget to bring the following documents to your medical:
- Referral letter
- Valid passport
- Other pertinent medical records
Be sure to finish everything within the allotted time. Female applicants are recommended to schedule their exam one week after their period.
The medical clinic will directly submit your results to Immigration.
- Submit your application and required documents
Finally, after everything, you can click, “Submit!” You’ll get an acknowledgement receipt in your email address. Visa application processing can take from 2 to 30 days. According to Home Affairs, 75% of visa applications can take up to 17 days to process while almost 90% of applications get processed within 28 days. It really depends and varies with each applicant. Keep checking your email for news and updates about your visa.
Please note that some applications may need to do additional requirements.
- Print out your Visa Grant Notice
Your Visa Grant Notice will be sent to your email. If you got approved, congratulations!
Make sure to double check all the details including the start date of your visa and whether you were approved for single or multiple entries. Now you can already get started with your reservations and bookings.
Print the Visa Grant Notice and bring this with you when you enter and leave Australia.
If your application was denied, you will also receive an email stating the reason. You will also get a chance to appeal and request for a review of the decision.
For more helpful information: https://www.byevisa.com/visit-australia/
Helpful Tips:
- Be honest with your personal information
- Register a working email address
- Double check everything
- Attach as much documents as you can!
- Attach a return ticket home
- Apply 2-3 months before your trip
More useful information
I highly recommend visiting the Byevisa website if you’re interested in finding out more information about Australian visas. They specialize in processing different types of visa around the world and you wouldn’t want to miss what they say about it! They share informative how-to guides for writing outstanding cover letters, getting a Working Holiday Visa, and many more!
I hope this step-by-step guide helps you with your application for an Australian Visa. I made it as detailed as possible to help you with your visa journey. Enjoy your trip to the amazing and exciting country of Australia!
