Australia visitor visa invitation letter: what to include
Short answer
An invitation letter is optional supporting evidence for an Australian visitor visa (subclass 600). Home Affairs says a letter from a relative or friend in Australia could state their relationship to you, the purpose of your visit and length of stay, and whether you will stay with them.
If they will pay for your stay, include proof of their funds.
Checked against the Home Affairs subclass 600 Tourist stream page on 04/11/2026General information, not migration advice
Is an invitation letter required for an Australian visitor visa?
No. On the subclass 600 Tourist stream page it sits under “Genuine visitor documents”, where Home Affairs asks for as much proof as you can provide that you are visiting as a temporary visitor only. A letter from your relative or friend in Australia inviting you to visit is one of the examples it gives.
What does Home Affairs say the letter could state?
- their relationship to you;
- the purpose of your visit and length of stay;
- if you will be staying with them.
If this person will be paying for your stay, Home Affairs asks you to provide proof of their funds.
A simple layout for the letter
The letter is the inviter’s own, written in their words. This layout only puts the points Home Affairs names in order; replace each blank and write the sentences around it yourself.
| Part | What to fill in |
|---|---|
| Date, and the inviter's full name, address, phone and email | [DD/MM/YYYY], [full name], [address in Australia], [phone], [email] |
| Who the letter is about | [visitor's full name], [date of birth], [passport number] |
| Your relationship to the visitor | [for example: my brother / my partner / a friend since 2019] |
| The purpose of the visit | [in your own words: what the visit is for] |
| Length of stay | [arrival date] to [departure date] |
| Where the visitor will stay | [with me at the address above / other accommodation] |
| Who pays for the stay | [the visitor / me: proof of my funds is attached] |
| Signature | [signature], [full name] |
What else shows you are a genuine visitor?
The same section of the Tourist stream page lists, as examples:
- proof you have enough money for your stay and to leave Australia, such as itemised personal bank statements for 3 months, pay slips, tax records, term deposits or credit card statements;
- your plans while in Australia;
- proof you have reasons to return home, such as a letter from your employer saying you will return to your job, study enrolment, immediate family in your home country, or a house or other major assets there.
Documents not in English go in with an English translation.
Visiting a partner in Australia?
A visitor visa is a different application from a partner visa. If you are preparing a partner or prospective marriage visa, the partner visa checklist lists what Home Affairs asks for, and partner visa evidence explains the four areas of relationship evidence.
Questions
Does an Australian visitor visa need an invitation letter?
Home Affairs doesn't list it as required. On the subclass 600 Tourist stream page, a letter from a relative or friend in Australia inviting you to visit is one example of documents that could show you are a genuine temporary visitor.
What should an invitation letter for an Australian visitor visa say?
Home Affairs says the letter could state the inviter's relationship to you, the purpose of your visit and length of stay, and whether you will be staying with them. If the inviter is paying for your stay, provide proof of their funds.
Who writes the invitation letter?
Your relative or friend in Australia, in their own words, and they sign it. The visitor uploads it with their application.
Does the inviter need to be an Australian citizen?
The Tourist stream page describes the letter as coming from a relative or friend in Australia; it doesn't say the person must be a citizen or permanent resident.
Can you check our letter or tell us if the visa will be granted?
No. We don't review applications or give migration advice. For advice on your situation, talk to a registered migration agent or lawyer.