I am not a visa officer, nor am I migration agent. I am in no way affiliated with the Australian Embassy Manila nor with the Australian government. This post comes from my experience with preparing and submitting visa applications for family members and for myself. This is also written mainly for Filipinos applying for an Australian visa within the Philippines.
I’ve been getting quite a lot of inquiries about how to apply for an Australian visa so after a year of this post being in the draft, I’m finally writing it (with hopes of finishing it within 2 hours).
1. Download and read the necessary forms and documents for your visa class.
Everything you need to know about Australian visas are in the official Australian Immigration website at www.immi.gov.au. If you’re just going to visit Australia as a tourist, you fall under Tourist Visa (Subclass 676). The corresponding documents for this visa subclass are:
All files are in PDF format and would require Adobe Reader to open.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship of Australia regularly review and update their visa-related documents and requirements. It’s important that you have the latest edition for your reference, as well as the forms you will fill in.
2. Collect the documents needed and make copies of each.
The documents needed for every tourist visa application are listed in the forms. Once you have completed the documents, start filling in the forms. When filling out the form, carefully read the instructions and questions.
The Australian visa application requires you to pay a visa application fee of AU$100. There is an online conversion tool in the immigration website that shows the rate in your currency. The fee must be paid with a manager’s or cashier’s check issued by your bank for the Australian Embassy. Once you have completed your documents, filled in the form and acquired the manager’s check, make copies of everything. Seperate the originals and the copies.
3. Call the Australian Embassy hotline.
The hotline numbers to call for visa application pick up in the Philippines are as follows:
For PLDT/Smart/Touchcard Subscribers 1 (909) 362 – 2779
For Globe/Innove/Touchmobile Subscribers 1 (900) 362 – 2779
For Bayantel Subscribers 1 (903) 362 – 2779
This is considered a long-distance call, so brace yourself for the ginormous phone bill (Php 32 per minute). The hotline is available Mondays to Fridays, 6am – 8pm, and Saturdays, 8am to 6pm. If you are just calling to inquire about the visa application process, you can call the free hotline at (02) 845-9200.
Schedule for a visa pick up. The agent will ask you questions about your application, so better have your documents with you for reference. After the question and answer portion, the agent will then give you instructions regarding the pick-up and return of your documents. You are encouraged to be there when the FedEx guy picks up the documents. By the way, the courier fee is not included in the Australian visa application fee, so be ready to fork out around Php 300 for Mr. FedEx. This fee covers both the pick up and return delivery.
4. Start the agonizing wait for denial or approval.
Visa processing can take from three days to one month. The shortest visa processing we had was three days, I think, and the longest was one month. That one month was due to the high influx of visa applications, as my sister applied on the last week of November. Apparently, a lot of Filipinos are applying for visas during this time (probably hoping to spend Christmas in Australia with their families).
So there you have it! I hope this is helpful in someways. If you have any questions, just post them in the comments area, and I’ll try to answer as best as I can 
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this will definitely be a good reference that we can keep. thanks!
Brilliant tips , thanks.
can you please give us more tips on how to avoid disapproval of your visa to au. thanks.
how come when i called australian immigrations that they said filipinos cant apply for the tourist visa online on http://www.immi.gov.au??? but it says that you could on your website…did u know someone from the philippines that did?
I don’t recall ever saying that Filipinos are eligible for the ETA (Visitor) subclass 976 visa. In fact, I even said that they are NOT eligible in this entry: http://justwandering.org/index.php/2007/09/29/australian-visa-bureau/
What I DID say is that you can get the information sheets and application form online, and that you can use the online converter to know the peso equivalent of the visa application fee.
hi,
what are the grounds for dis approval of the tourist visa.
Thanks
can you please give as tips for the dis approval of the tourist visa?
thanks
Thanks for the article, saved me alot of time!
Nice Blog having nice information
do you know where we can follow-up our visa?
Hi po,
I was just wondering kung mahirap ba kumuha ulit ng aussie tr676 if you have been previously issued one before. Or could it be more easier snce ive been in aussie before… i appreciate your advice thanks po
Would like to ask regarding transit visa to Australia, would like to ask if i will be granted if i’m going back to manila from NZ and enter their country for 1-2 days just to sight see
hi,
i would like to know if i still have a chance to get tourist visa since i already got denied three months ago bec i dont have work?Can i still re-apply for tourist visa in Australia?pls help me…
Hi there again ate,
If ever you have submitted your application will the embassy contact you or just wait for there decision. Will they ever ask for additional document or they will just base their decision on what you have provided? Also how will you know if they have approved your application, will they write to you or just wait for the result when you get your passport back?
Thanks ,,,,,
Julia: The embassy will base their decision on the documents that you provide, that’s why it’s important that you submit all the necessary documents when you send in your application. You’ll know know of their decision when they send you back the documents.
In my niece’s case, her application wasn’t approved, nor was it denied. On her case kasi, she’s a minor, and we declared that our sister in Australia will be sponsoring her trip to Australia. The embassy responded that they need to provide more documents. So nag send uli kami ng application niya, pero this time, we declared that her mother (my other sister) has enough money in the bank to fund for her daughter’s trip.
Hi there.
Thanks for the info.
Just wondering is there any health or medical requirements needed for tourist visa application..
thanks…hope to receive response from you..
Diane: If you’re applying for a 3-month visa, no health examination is required. But if you’re applying for a six-month tourist visa, you’d need to undergo a medical examination in their accredited clinic. It’s best to require at the Embassy hotline to confirm or to read the guidelines in the applicaiton, because their requirement might have changed since the last time I applied for a tourist visa.
Hi ate,
Thanks alot ate nina just got my visa within 7 days and its valid for a year. This guide youve created is what i exactly followed. More powers to you and i hope more and more people would be helped with this reference you have created. Thanks alot ate……
Hi again ate nina,
Im off to melbourne this time as i havent been to Vic before i was in perth, sydney and brissy the last time i was in aussie….
Hello, I am currently out of job for a year. But I’ve been working for 14 years as a Computer Graphics Artist. I met an Australian man online, he is willing to give invitation letter and support papers that I he can support me during my stay. My question now, Can I be approved because I don’t have a job?
sis,
im planning to go to australia on my bday.. and i think the information u posted here are very helpful for someone like me who dont have much but possible to enter the country..
what i have is a passport, birth certificate, nbi clearance, and a bank statement which is around 2,000aud. are they enough for a week stay in sydney? do u think i can get a visa having those documents alone? though, i have a friend who is a citizen of australia who is willing to support me while im in the country.. is his passport, and bank statement enough to show to the consul as a proof that he can take care of my accommodation and other expenses?or he needs to write something on a piece of paper like a letter? what else should he need to provide?
if i have all the papers i need.. do i have to go to the australian embassy? or just give them a call and let them pick up my documents?
i think even if u said u are not in the position .. i think your personal experience is enough for someone like me.. a guide from u is a big thing already for people like us who are lost and dont know how to start the process..
looking forward to your quick reply as i am planning to leave manila end of april..
thank u so much for the information u posted here..
Hi thanks for the blog, it really helps.
I have questions in my mind? Actually I’m planning to tourist in Australia particularly in Melbourne this year. I just like to confirm the currency of the money as proof (bank statement) is it in PHP or AUD? PHP150k in your bank statement is it OK for a month but I have brother and sister where I can stay for my vacation?
Thanks and More power to your blog.
Hi. Your blog is very informative. However, I was wondering if I am required to submit flight itinerary and/or hotel booking together with my visa application for my prospective trip to Australia? Thank you.
Hi thanks for the tips!
Just like to ask if I really need a letter of invitation from my friend in australia since me and my friend plan to stay in a hotel during our stay. And if I include the Official Receipt and Certificate of Registration of my vehicle, should it be a certified true copy?
Thank you very much!
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