Applying for an Australian tourist visa as a Filipino can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. The process is online, strict, and highly detail-oriented. Still, many Filipinos get approved every year by doing one thing right: presenting a clear, honest, and well-organized application.
This guide walks you through the process step by step on how to apply for Australia tourist visa from the Philippines, based on real experience and common refusal reasons.
Step 1: Know the Correct Visa Type
Filipino tourists must apply for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) to travel to Australia.
This visa allows:
- Tourism and holidays
- Visiting family or friends
- Short business visits (no work allowed)
Working—paid or unpaid—is strictly prohibited.
Step 2: Create an ImmiAccount
All applications are submitted online via the Australian Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount.
You will:
- Register an account at https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login
- Complete the visa form
- Upload documents
- Track your application status
Double-check all entries. Inconsistencies can trigger delays or refusal.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents Carefully
This is the most important part of the process.
Required Documents for Filipinos
- Valid Philippine passport (within 6-months validity)
- Recent passport-size photo
- Completed visa application form
Financial Documents
- Bank statements (last 3 months)
- Payslips or proof of income
- Business documents (if self-employed)
- ITR
Funds must be traceable, stable, and realistic for your travel plan.
Proof of Strong Ties to the Philippines
Visa officers need to see reasons you will return home.
Examples include:
- Certificate of employment or business registration
- Approved leave letter
- Property documents
- Family ties (birth certificates of children, marriage certificate)
- School enrollment letters for kids
This section carries significant weight.
Step 4: Write a Strong Cover Letter
A cover letter is not optional if you want to strengthen your application.
Your cover letter should:
- Explain your purpose of travel
- State your intended travel dates
- Clarify your source of funds
- Highlight your economic and family ties to the Philippines
- Address any red flags honestly (including past refusals)
Keep it factual, calm, and easy to follow. I will show you my cover letters for my first, second, and third applications. You can see the difference as I gained more clarity about what the right cover letter should look like.
First Application Cover Letter: I processed everything for this. Looking at this letter right now, I feel so dumb. LOL. It’s not clear, and I requested multiple entries. Like, “Girl, why?” Don’t do this. I used this cover letter for my first application, which was refused.
Second Application Cover Letter: This is written by the agency. If you compare it to my first letter, this is clearer. They also added the information about my kids. I was thinking this was a strong cover letter. But my visa was refused.
Third Application Cover Letter: I wrote this letter and processed it myself. It’s like an upgrade from what the agency wrote. I repositioned it as a business owner with a secondary income as a freelancer.
Step 5: Upload and Organize Your Files
How you upload documents matters. For every group of documents, I added an index so they can see what I attached. You can see the exact index I used; I just removed personal information: My Index for AU visa. You can also see here the list of documents I submitted. Make a copy of the document if you want to use it.
This is how I uploaded my documents:
- Travel Document: Scanned bio page of passport
- National Identity Document:
- Scanned PSO live birth certificate
- PhilSys ID
- Evidence of Applicant’s Previous Travel:
- Scanned passport pages showing travel stamps. You can also add photos, but put them in one document.
- Family Register and Composition Form:
- Family & Personal Ties Evidence
- Form 54 (Download the form here)
- Evidence of Planned Tourism Activities in Australia:
- Travel Plans Evidence
- Evidence of Financial Status and Funding for Visit:
- Financial Capacity & Assets Evidence
- Evidence of Current Employment or Self-employment:
- Business & Professional Ties Evidence
I uploaded only 9 documents because I combined them into a single file, as shown in the index I created. This way, it’s easier for them to review my documents.
Tips:
- Use clear file names (e.g., “Bank_Statement_Jan–Jun.pdf”)
- Combine related documents into one PDF (This is what I did, and used the index above as a cover before the documents)
- Upload files in the correct sections
- Avoid blurry or cropped scans. Make sure everything is clear.
A well-organized application makes the officer’s job easier.
Step 6: Pay the Visa Fee
The current Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) fee is AUD 200 (approximately 7,900 Philippine pesos), but take note that this is subject to change.
Payment is made online via:
- Credit card
- Debit card
Fees are non-refundable, even if refused. You will get an email with the subject “IMMI Acknowledgement of Application Received” indicating that they received your application. Attached is a PDF letter titled “IMMI Acknowledgement of Application,” which serves as confirmation that you have successfully submitted your visa application.
Step 7: Biometrics (If Required)
Some applicants are asked to provide biometrics:
- Fingerprints
- Photo
If required, you’ll receive instructions to visit an authorized biometrics center in the Philippines. You will receive an email titled “Requirement to Provide Biometrics.” If it’s your first time, you will need to go to a center either in Manila or Cebu. If it isn’t your first time, the letter will state whether you are qualified to use the biometrics app (another blog post).
Here’s the step-by-step guide to booking a biometrics appointment with VFS.
Step 8: Wait for Processing
Processing time varies:
- Usually 2–6 weeks
- Longer during peak travel seasons
Avoid booking non-refundable flights until your visa is approved.
Common Reasons for Australia Tourist Visa Refusal
Understanding the reasons for refusal can help you avoid them.
- Insufficient funds
- Weak economic ties to the Philippines
- Unclear travel purpose
- Inconsistent documents
- Poorly written or missing cover letter
Most refusals stem from a lack of clarity, not bad intentions.
Can You Reapply After a Refusal?
Yes. If refused:
- Read the refusal letter carefully
- Identify the exact reasons
- Address each issue directly in your next application
Many Filipinos get approved on a second or third attempt by fixing what went wrong. I got approved the third time.
Practical Tips Before You Apply
- Apply early (3-4 months before your travel date)
- Be honest and consistent
- Match your budget with your itinerary
- Avoid unnecessary documents
- Focus on clarity over volume
A strong application tells a believable story.
Applying for an Australian tourist visa from the Philippines is not about perfection—it’s about credibility. When your documents, finances, and explanation align, approval becomes much more likely.
Prepare well, tell your story clearly, and take your time.