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Planning a holiday in Australia, a visit to family or friends, or a university or vocational course? We help tourists, families and students prepare well-organised applications for the Visitor visa (Subclass 600) and the Student visa (Subclass 500).
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Australia’s visa system runs entirely online through ImmiAccount, with strict evidence-based assessment for both visitor and student applicants. Getting the right stream, the right financial evidence, and a genuine, well-explained application matters more than ever.
For tourism, visiting family or friends, or short business trips. Sri Lankan citizens require a visa before travelling to Australia, and most successful applicants are granted a stay of 3, 6 or 12 months, depending on the stream and the assessing officer’s decision.
For Sri Lankan students accepted into a CRICOS-registered course at an Australian school, college, or university. A Subclass 500 visa can be a strong long-term pathway towards Australian work experience through the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485).
The Visitor visa (Subclass 600) is the main visa category for people travelling to Australia for tourism, business visitor activities, or to visit family. It is issued by the Department of Home Affairs and allows a stay of 3, 6 or 12 months, at the discretion of the assessing officer.
Sri Lankan passport holders are not eligible for Australia’s free eVisitor or ETA electronic visa options, which are reserved for a specific list of European, North American and a small number of Asia-Pacific passports. Sri Lankan citizens must apply for the full Subclass 600 visa.
The Subclass 600 does not permit paid work in Australia. Limited business activities, such as attending meetings, negotiations or conferences, are allowed only under the Business Visitor stream.
The standard stream for holidays, sightseeing, leisure travel, or visiting relatives and friends. Common supporting documents may include:
For applicants sponsored by a close family member who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. It must be lodged from outside Australia and generally requires stronger sponsor documentation. Key requirements typically include:
For short business-related activities such as meetings, negotiations, or conferences, without entering the Australian labour market. Common documents may include:
The exact documents required depend on your circumstances, purpose of travel, financial background, and travel history. Most applications require strong evidence in these areas.
You must satisfy the Department that you genuinely intend to visit temporarily and will comply with visa conditions. Officers assess your immigration history, ties to Sri Lanka, and overall circumstances.
A valid passport, ideally with sufficient validity beyond your planned travel dates.
Enough funds to support your stay and your return journey. The Department does not publish a fixed minimum; income, savings, or sponsor support is assessed case by case.
A medical examination may be requested in some cases, and a police clearance certificate may be requested for longer stays.
Employment, business, family, or property that will bring you back to Sri Lanka at the end of your visit.
An invitation letter is written by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible visa holder inviting a friend or family member to visit. It is not compulsory for every Tourist stream application, but it is expected for the Sponsored Family stream and significantly strengthens family-visit applications. It does not guarantee approval and should be supported by the host’s proof of status and, where relevant, financial documents. A strong letter should mention:
The Student visa (Subclass 500) is issued by the Department of Home Affairs to international students undertaking a full-time, CRICOS-registered course of study in Australia. It covers school, English language (ELICOS), vocational education and training (VET), undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs.
Before applying, you must hold a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) issued by your Australian education provider through the government’s PRISMS system.
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the former Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criterion in March 2024. It is answered directly within the online visa application and asks about your study choice, your circumstances in Sri Lanka, and your intentions after the course ends.
You, or a sponsor, must cover tuition fees, living costs, and travel for the full first year. The Department periodically reviews the annual living-cost benchmark for the primary applicant, with additional amounts for an accompanying spouse or children. Always confirm the current amount on the Department of Home Affairs website. Acceptable proof may include:
OSHC is a mandatory visa condition for the entire duration of your student visa. It must be arranged through an Australian government-approved insurer and be in place from the day you arrive. Family members you bring must also be covered for the same period.
Most Subclass 500 applicants must provide an accepted English test result, such as IELTS or PTE Academic. Required scores vary by course level and provider and are reviewed periodically, so confirm the current requirement for your course before booking a test.
Subclass 500 holders can generally work a capped number of hours per fortnight while their course is in session, with unlimited hours during official scheduled breaks. Work cannot begin until the course has started, and exact limits are reviewed periodically, so confirm the current limit before starting employment.
Many international students use the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) to gain Australian work experience after completing their studies. Eligibility rules, including age limits, English test requirements, and visa duration by qualification level, have been tightened in recent policy updates and are reviewed periodically.
We strongly recommend confirming Subclass 485 eligibility for your specific course and qualification level before enrolling, not after, since post-study work pathways can influence which institution and course best supports your long-term goals.
Refusals often happen because the application does not clearly demonstrate the applicant’s purpose, financial position, genuine intent, or eligibility.
Documents that don’t clearly show stable employment, ongoing studies, business ownership, property, or close family responsibilities.
Unexplained large deposits, statements that don’t match declared income, or funds below the required threshold, especially for student visas.
A vague or generic GS statement, or a visitor application that does not convincingly explain your intent to return.
Differences between the application form, supporting letters, financial documents, and other evidence.
Scores below the provider’s or the Department’s benchmark typically lead to refusal or a request for further evidence.
Reapplying with the same documents, without addressing the specific refusal reasons, will likely lead to another refusal.
If your Australia visitor or student visa application was refused, you should not rush into reapplying with the same documents. The Visa Central can review previous Australian refusal cases and guide applicants on how to strengthen a fresh application where genuinely possible.
Most applications are lodged online through ImmiAccount. Biometrics are collected in person in Colombo through the Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC), operated by VFS Global.
We understand your goals, whether visiting or studying, along with your background, finances, and timeline.
We confirm the correct pathway and prepare a personalised document checklist.
We identify gaps, inconsistencies, or areas that need clarification before submission.
We assist with your ImmiAccount application, ensuring details are accurate and consistent.
We guide you through booking biometrics at the Australian Visa Application Centre in Colombo.
We help you monitor your status through ImmiAccount and respond promptly to requests.
Support until completion, including OSHC renewal, arrival preparation, or Subclass 485 planning, where relevant.
No. 675, Dr Danister De Silva Mawatha, Colombo 09, Sri Lanka. Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM (submission); appointment required.
No. 21, Srimath R. G. Senanayake Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka.
General guidance only. Always check the Department of Home Affairs processing times page and apply well in advance.
Set by the Department of Home Affairs and reviewed periodically. Always confirm on the official Visa Pricing Estimator before payment.
No visa consultant in Sri Lanka, or anywhere else, can guarantee a visa. Any consultancy that promises guaranteed approval should be treated with caution. The final decision always rests with the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
What we do promise is professional preparation, clear advice and honest guidance at every step.
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Yes. Sri Lankan citizens generally require a Visitor visa (Subclass 600) before travelling to Australia; Sri Lanka is not currently on Australia’s eVisitor or ETA-eligible passport list.
Most tourists apply under the Tourist stream of the Visitor visa (Subclass 600).
Yes, either under the Tourist stream or the Sponsored Family stream, provided the purpose and supporting documents are clear and, where relevant, an invitation letter is included.
Most visitor visas are granted for 3, 6 or 12 months, depending on the stream and the assessing officer’s decision.
It is a stream of the Subclass 600 visa for applicants being sponsored by a close relative who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible visa holder. It generally requires more sponsor documentation than the Tourist stream.
There is no single fixed amount published for everyone. Your funds should reasonably support your travel plan, duration of stay, and personal circumstances.
It is not always mandatory for the Tourist stream, but it is expected for the Sponsored Family stream and strengthens most family-visit applications.
CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. Only courses and providers listed on CRICOS can issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) that supports a student visa application.
You must demonstrate access to funds covering tuition, an annual living-cost benchmark set by the Department, and travel costs. This figure is reviewed periodically, so applicants should confirm the current amount before applying.
It is a written response within the online student visa application explaining your study choice, your circumstances in Sri Lanka, and your intentions during and after your course. It replaced the former Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement in March 2024.
Yes. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a mandatory visa condition for the full duration of a Subclass 500 visa.
Most Subclass 500 holders can work a capped number of hours per fortnight while their course is in session, with unlimited hours during official scheduled course breaks. Exact limits are set by visa condition and reviewed periodically.
Many graduates become eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485), subject to meeting age, English language, and qualification requirements, which are reviewed periodically by the Department.
IELTS and PTE Academic are commonly accepted, along with other approved tests. Required scores vary by course level and provider and should be confirmed before booking a test.
A relative can sponsor a Sponsored Family stream visitor visa application, or provide financial support and documentation for a student visa application, but the requirements differ between the two visa types.
Travel history can support an application, but it is not the only deciding factor. Your full circumstances are considered by the assessing officer.
You should review the refusal reasons carefully and prepare a stronger application addressing the specific concerns raised before reapplying.
Yes. We can review your refusal letter and guide you on how to strengthen a new application where genuinely possible.
We provide professional guidance, document support, application assistance, and submission guidance based on the service package selected.
No. No consultant can guarantee visa approval. The final decision is made by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Because we focus on transparency, genuine advice, professional document review, and personalised support across both Australian visa pathways.
Speak with The Visa Central for professional guidance before you apply.