All tourists visiting Australia must have visitor's visas, even if they intend to stay fewer than three months. The Australian government requires all tourist visa applicants to provide their passports, copies of their birth certificates and evidence of health insurance that will cover them while they are in Australia. They must also provide pay stubs and bank statements to prove they have a sufficient amount of money for their travels. After the Australian government receives the applications, it may prompt some applicants to have health examinations by an approved Panel doctor and pass criminal history record checks.
People who wish to study in Australia must obtain student visas. Before applying for their visas, applicants must procure health insurance through Overseas Student Health Cover and provide a receipt with their visa applications. Each student must also provide an acceptance letter from an Australian educational institution, evidence of English language skills, academic history and evidence of sufficient funds to last for the length of the student's stay in Australia. Some applicants will also need to pass penal clearance before entering the country.
Migrants applying for Australian work visas must first send evidence of their job skills to an Australian assessing body for approval. When applying for their visas, they must provide evidence of English language skills, education, work experience, and their ages. Having relatives or prearranged jobs in Australia may give applicants an edge on gaining entry to the country. When the Australian government prompts them, they must obtain penal clearance and undergo a health examination for final visa approval.
