The bustling Vivid Sydney season is approaching fast. If you don't want to miss the spectacular light festival taking place from late May to early June each year, you should start planning today, beginning with applying for a visa to Australia.

A visa is your ticket to exploring the beautiful southern hemisphere during the autumn and winter seasons, along with many exciting entertainment activities. In the article below, Vietjet will compile all the latest information on applying for a tourist visa to Australia.

To plan for the Vivid Sydney season, preparing your visa application early is the first important step.

1. What type of visa should you apply for to see Vivid Sydney?

For a short trip, the Australian tourist visa - Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is the most suitable option. This visa is for those who wish to travel to Australia for tourism, sightseeing, participating in entertainment activities (such as watching Vivid Sydney), or visiting friends and family.

• Duration of stay:The 600 visa allows multiple or single entries into Australia for a maximum period of up to 12 months, with each stay typically lasting 3 months or as decided by the assessing authority.
• Note:No sponsorship is required, and work is not permitted. Financial proof and the purpose of the trip must be demonstrated.

See more: Types of Australian Tourist Visas: Which One to Choose for Quick Approval?

2. Guide to the process of applying for an independent Australian tourist visa

To prepare your independent tourist visa application for the Vivid Sydney 2026 trip, you need to follow the online submission process and prepare sufficient evidence of financial stability as well as ties to Vietnam.

The process of applying for an independent Australian tourist visa is not too complicated, making it easy for you to handle it yourself.

2.1 Required documents

Documents need to be scanned in color from the original, clearly, and named in an understandable way. Documents not in English usually need to be accompanied by a certified translation.

- Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months, with a complete scan of all pages, and a notarized copy if necessary.

- Personal documents: ID card/CCCD, household registration book, birth certificate, marriage registration (if applicable and if there are changes).

- Passport photos: 02 photos 4×6, white background, taken within the last 6 months.

- Financial proof: Bank statements for 3 - 6 months, savings, other asset proof such as property, vehicles (if any).

- Employment proof: Employment contract, salary statement, appointment decision, business license (if self-employed), travel leave letter.

- Trip plan: Round-trip flight tickets (booked with the option to cancel/change), hotel booking in Sydney, itinerary...

- If you have a history of traveling to developed countries (USA, EU, Australia, Schengen...): provide visas, entry-exit stamps, old flight tickets to increase the approval rate.

2.2 Process of applying for an Australian tourist visa

Most of the current process is conducted online, allowing applicants to easily track their applications.

• Step 1: Create an account ImmiAccount: Register an account on the official website of the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
• Step 2: Fill out the application form and upload documents: Complete the information according to the online template and upload the files prepared in Step 1.
• Step 3: Pay the feeYou need to pay online using a credit card/international payment directly in your ImmiAccount.
• Step 4: Biometrics appointment: After submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting a biometrics appointment. You need to schedule an appointment and go to the VFS Global center (in Hanoi, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City) to take photos and fingerprints.

2.3 Track and receive results

After completing the application submission and biometrics collection steps, the visa result will be notified via email:

• Processing time: Not fixed and may vary at different times. You should submit your application at least a few weeks to a few months before your intended departure date.
• Result: The Australian visa is an electronic visa. Once granted, you will receive a notification, "Visa Grant Notice" via email. You should print this out or save it on your phone to present when going through immigration.

See more: Tips for traveling to Australia independently from A - Z.

3. How much is the Australian tourist visa fee?

The cost of applying for an Australian tourist visa (Subclass 600) includes various fees, from government application fees to service fees at the reception center. Below are the details of the fees you need to prepare:

• Visa application fee: For the Australian tourist visa Subclass 600 - Tourist stream (applied from outside Australia), the fee starts from 200 AUD. This fee is paid online through your ImmiAccount. Depending on the payment method (credit card, PayPal...), you may have to pay an additional processing fee.
• Biometrics fee: Most applicants in Vietnam are required to provide fingerprints and take digital photos at the VFS Global center. The reference fee is about 296,000 VND.
• Other costs: Including translation and notarization fees, scanning documents range from 500,000 - 1,500,000 VND for a typical application.

Visa fees may change over time. You should use the Visa Pricing Estimator on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website to check the most accurate fee on the date of application. Also, only pay for large expenses such as flight tickets or tours after receiving the visa result to avoid financial risks.

4. Frequently asked questions

After preparing all the documents and understanding the necessary costs, many travelers still have questions about processing times, interview requirements, or visa validity. Below are common questions when applying for an independent Australian tourist visa.

4.1 How long does it take to get an Australian visa?

The processing time for an Australian visa (Subclass 600) is not fixed and may vary depending on the time, type of visa you apply for, and the quality of your application. You should submit your application as early as possible, preferably a few weeks to a few months before your intended departure date. This is especially important if you plan to travel during peak tourist seasons, holidays, or when there are major events like Vivid Sydney. For the most accurate estimate at the time of application, you should use the visa processing time guide tool on the official website of the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

4.2 Is an interview required for an Australian tourist visa?

Typically, applying for an Australian tourist visa (Subclass 600) does not require a direct interview like a US visa. The current assessment process mainly relies on the application you provide online.

Since there is no interview to explain directly, you should take advantage of explanatory documents (if necessary) and organize your application clearly to clearly demonstrate three points: the purpose of the trip, financial capability, and ties to Vietnam.

4.3 How long is the validity of an Australian tourist visa?

Typically, tourists may be allowed to stay in Australia for up to 12 months. However, the assessing authority usually grants common durations of 3, 6, or 12 months depending on the purpose of the trip and your application.

The exact validity of the visa, the number of entries allowed (single or multiple), and accompanying conditions will be clearly stated in the visa grant notification (Visa Grant Notice) that you receive via email. You must leave Australia before your visa expires and are not allowed to work during your stay on a tourist visa.

Australian tourist visas usually have a validity of 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months.

4.4 Can I use an Australian visa to go to New Zealand?

Australia and New Zealand are two countries with completely independent immigration systems and visa regulations. Therefore, an Australian visa cannot be used to enter New Zealand. Only Australian citizens and those holding a Permanent Resident (PR) card of Australia can enjoy special entry policies into New Zealand without needing to apply for a visa in advance (usually granted a visa at the border).

Vietnamese citizens wishing to enter New Zealand usually have to apply for a separate visa (such as a Visitor Visa) or meet specific conditions set by the New Zealand government as outlined on the official website of Immigration New Zealand.

See more: How much does it cost to travel to Australia? Self-guided travel costs in Australia

Applying for an Australian visa on your own is no longer too complicated if you prepare a complete application, clearly demonstrate the purpose of your trip, and plan ahead. For those looking forward to the vibrant Vivid Sydney festival, proactively hunting for flight tickets, scheduling, and submitting the visa early will make the trip smoother.

Vietjet currently has many direct flights to Australia at good prices, flexible flight times, and many attractive promotions. Check out the0 VND flight ticketsavailable from 12 PM to 2 PM every day to maximize your travel cost savings for the upcoming trip. With each flight ticket successfully booked and paid for from now until May 19, 2026, you also have the chance to win 1 GOLD BAR in Vietjet's "Fly Vietjet, Receive Golden Luck" program. Detailed information here.

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