Australia Tourist Visa Rejection Rate in 2026: Reasons & Tips

The Australia tourist visa rejection rate is approximately 21% for the tourist stream (subclass 600) of the visa. It is higher for Indian applicants at 27% on average and 30% in the past quarter (October-December 2025).

The above statistics are from the Department of Home Affairs Visitor Visa Program Report. They vary by country, and it will depend on your profile and application.

In this guide, you will learn about the Australia tourist visa rejection rate 2026,  the Australia tourist visa refusal rate by country, why visas are rejected, and how you can overcome visa rejection.

What Is the Australia Tourist Visa Rejection Rate?

There is no single "rejection rate" for tourists going to Australia. It releases a grant rate every 4 months. The rejection rate is basically 100% - the grant rate.

According to the data from Home Affairs for 2025:

• Subclass 600 Tourist stream (all countries): 79% visa granted, 21% visa refused.

• All visitor visas combined (including the ETA and eVisitor): about 91% granted, so about 9% rejected.

The difference is significant as people from low-risk countries are more likely to be accepted (around 99% of the time) with an ETA and eVisitor. The visas are not applicable for Indian passport holders. They have to apply for subclass 600; therefore, 21% is meant for you. 

Key Visa Details

Note: Please remember to always visit the Home Affairs visa pricing page before paying fees, as they may change on a yearly basis in July! 

How Has the Australia Tourist Visa Rejection Rate Changed in 2026?

The total Tourist stream rate has remained constant. Grant rates remained steady in all five quarters ranging from 78% to 80% from October 2024 to December 2025. Cost is the primary difference in 2026, with the offshore fee increasing by 25% on 1 July 2026.

What Is the Australia Tourist Visa Rejection Rate for Indians?

The Australia tourist visa rejection rate for Indians is higher as compared to the international average. Below are the quarterly grant rate for applicants under Indian Tourist stream:

This implies that approximately 30% of Indian tourist visa applications were rejected in the last quarter, whereas in the rest of the world, around 20% were.

Other Indian streams are different:

• Sponsored Family stream: 61% was granted (approx. 39% was refused).

• Business Visitor stream: 81% granted (approx. 19% refused).

Note that it is important to take note of contradictory statements such as "40% of Indian student visas are rejected" or "30% of all Indian visa applications are rejected". Those numbers are for other types of visas, including student visas. They do not pertain to the tourist visa. 

Read More: Subclass 771 Visa: Australia Transit Visa Guide

Australia Tourist Visa Refusal Rate by Country

There are significant variations in passport refusal rates. Home Affairs reports the grant rates of the major source countries. 

The table below details visa applications and visa refusal rates in the Subclass 600 Tourist stream by application type in the period October to December 2025, ranked from highest to lowest visa refusal rate.

Note: The data for this comes from the 2025 Visitor Visa Program Report of the Department of Home Affairs, section 3.02. The grant rate is equal to 100% minus the refusal rate.

What this tells you:

• India's refusal rate is about 9 points above the world average.

• The highest refusal rates are for South Asian passports, including Bangladesh, Nepal and India, or the passports of some Southeast Asian countries.

• Most of the world, including the UK and much of Europe, is a low-risk country and people in these countries rarely use the Subclass 600. They apply for the ETA or eVisitor and about 99% are granted.

• The latest report only lists the main countries. At approximately 29%, other countries are clustered together. 

Also Read: How to Apply Australia Tourist Visa from India? Updated Process

Why Are Australian Tourist Visas Getting Rejected?

To issue the visa, the visa officer needs to be satisfied that you are a genuine visitor and you will leave after a short while. This is also known as the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test by many agents. Under the visa rules it is clause 600.211 - that you intend to stay temporarily for the purpose of your visa. Your ties, funds, plans and visa history are looked at by officers. The reasons for most refusals are listed below. 

1. Weak Proof That You Will Return Home

Police officers seek solid support to return: a job, a business, family, property, or studies. When these are not available or are not clear, they might think that you aren't going to come back.

2. Not Enough Money

It is required that you demonstrate the ability to afford the airfares, accommodation, food and travel without earning money. Visitors do not have permission to work. Unexplained deposits just prior to application make one question.

3. Documents that are incomplete or inconsistent

Refusals are due to missing papers, unclear scans or details that do not match (dates, salary, names, etc.). One little thing can go wrong, and a mismatched bank statement is one of the frequent issues.

4. Unclear Travel Purpose

If officers don't have a vague plan, that translates to no plan at all and they are suspicious. If a visit appears to be a work or study visit, then it may be denied.

5. Refused/ Rule Breakers

If you have been refused a visa in the past or overstayed or worked on a visitor visa, it will work against you. Overstay may bring up a 3-year ban on the new visa. History is not the sole reason for denial for first time travellers.

6. False and bogus documents

Changes to paper/incorrect answers on the form will not meet the Public Interest Criteria. This may involve denial of permit and prohibitive further applications. The same will apply to documents used in previous applications which are not true.

7. Health Problems

Refusals may occur due to certain health conditions, including those that could compromise public health and/or that are very costly to the community. Home Affairs may request a medical examination, and a medical officer of the Commonwealth will review the examination.

8. Character Problems

Having a criminal record, association with criminal organizations or behavior like harassment may fail the character test. A police certificate might be required.

9. Applying From a Higher-Refusal Country

There is a wide variation in the refusal rates across different passport types (see the table above). For those countries with a higher refusal rate, like India, there is a need for better evidence of ties and funds.

10. Not responding to the Request for More Information

Additional documents, biometrics or health examinations may be requested by Home Affairs. Answer all questions and submit on time to the request. Late and/or incomplete responses may result in refusal. 

Australia Tourist Visa Requirements at a Glance

Following are the documents required for Australia Tourist Visa:

• A valid passport.

• An online application in ImmiAccount and the fee (AUD 250 offshore).

• Proof of funds: bank statements, payslips and tax returns.

• Documentation of relationship: Employer's letter, business, property or family documents.

• An itinerary and hotel information.

• Invitation letter in case of family or friend visits. Keep in mind, in late 2025, the grant rate for Indians in the Sponsored Family stream was lower (61%) than in the Tourist stream (70), so acceptance of the invitation does not imply approval.

• Health and character documents, biometrics or medical checks, at Home Affairs' request.

Also Read: Why Choose Australia Over Other Countries? 6 Top Reasons

How Can You Reduce the Chances of Rejection?

Here are a few things you can do to reduce the chances of Australia tourist visa rejections: 

1. Demonstrate healthy and effective finance skills

• Provide bank statements for a period of 3-6 months, corresponding to salary credits.

• Attach the last 2-3 years of your income tax returns (ITR) and your updated payslips.

• Refrain from making big, unexplainable deposits just prior to applying.

• No minimum balance set, no official minimum balance. It is common for migration consultancies to indicate that a short trip requires approximately AUD 5000 or more, or approximately AUD 100-150 per day of stay. Use this as a guideline and not a rule.

2. Establish strong ties with India.

• An employer's letter stating employment, salary, leave and return date.

• Documentation of business ownership, property, fixed deposits and/or studies.

• If you have a spouse and/or children at home, marriage and birth certificates.

3. Present a Clear Plan for Success:

• Itinerary by day with cities, dates and activities.

• The address of the hotel where the person will be staying or the host's address. Confirmed flights are good to have but not mandatory and opt for refundable ones.

4. Prepare a "SHORT, HONEST COVER LETTER"

Introduce yourself, your purpose, the length of your stay and who will be funding your visit and your reason for returning. Make up for any deficiencies, such as a job switch or a large transaction. There is a full template for writing a cover letter for an Australia tourist visa in our Australia tourist visa cover letter.

Also Read: Holiday Work Visa Australia (Subclass 462) Requirements

Documents Indian Applicants Should Prepare

The documents required for Indian Applicants include: 

Important Note: 

Be Honest About Everything: State all previous refusals, family in Australia and previous visas. If an honest mistake is made, it can sometimes be explained. It is possible for the ban to be issued if false information is used.

What to Do If Your Australia Tourist Visa Is Rejected?

Here are a few things you can do if your Australia tourist visa is rejected:

• Read the refusal letter: Describe the "why" and whether you can review.

• Address the specific issue: Include missing documents, clarify missing documents and enhance evidence of funds or ties.

• Reapply when ready: There is no official waiting period. Please do not submit the same documents again, or a second rejection is likely to be given.

• State the previous denial on the new document.

• Get expert help from a registered migration agent for complex cases.

Can you appeal? The majority of offshore Tourist stream refusals have no right of review. If you have applied from within Australia, you might be able to apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Your sponsor may be able to apply in the case of Sponsored Family refusals. Your refusal letter indicates if review is available and the time frame. Deadlines are very tight, so be sure to check it immediately.

What to Expect After You Apply?

After you applied, you can expect a response within 48 hours.

• Most Indian applicants receive their answers within approximately 3 weeks. More complex cases will take longer.

• Additional documents requested: Home Affairs may require additional documents. Be quick and thorough in your responses.

• Track: On your status in your ImmiAccount.

• Once approved: Verify the visa conditions (including permitted stay). Do not work on a visitor visa. 

Recent Trends Affecting Tourist Visa Approvals in 2026

The latest developments impacting tourist visa approval for 2026.

• Demand is rising: The numbers of visitors who applied for visas increased by 8.4% in July-December 2025 (approx. 3.07 million). Applications from India increased 8.5%.

• The grant rate in India decreased: The current quarter figure was 69.8%, and the lowest of the five most recent quarters.

• Processing slowed down for India: For the Indian tourist applicants, the median time increased from 10 days (July-September 2025) to 14 days (October-December 2025). 

How Does Australia Compare With Other Countries?

• Australia (India, Subclass 600 Tourist): about 27-30% refusal.

• Schengen area (India, 2025): about 15.8% refusal, according to European Commission data. Germany's rate for Indians was about 10.5%.

• Australia (ETA and eVisitor countries): about 1% refusal.

Such comparisons are not precise because decisions are not reported similarly across countries. Overall, however, Indian candidates are at an increased risk of being refused the subclass 600 visa, compared with applicants for a Schengen visa. 

Also Read: Schengen Visa Requirements for Indians

Conclusion

According to the latest Home Affairs data, the Australia tourist visa rejection rate is approximately 21% globally and approximately 27 - 30% for Indians. The refusal rates vary from approximately 4% to more than 50% across the countries. The common reasons for most rejections are lack of evidence of ties, low or unclear funds, missing documents, and poor travel history.

Having a complete, honest and consistent application with good finances, strong India connection and a straightforward itinerary gives you a much better shot at success. If denied, address the problem and resubmit.

Looking for assistance with your application? You can have documents assessed by TerraTern's Australia Visitor Visa team prior to lodging your application.