Australia Visa Interview Questions
Prepare for your Australia visitor visa with real questions and expert-approved answers
Australia visitor visas are typically processed without an interview. The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement is assessed based on your online application and documents. You may be contacted for additional information or a phone interview in some cases.
Purpose of Visit
Questions about why you want to visit Australia
Q1 What is the purpose of your visit to Australia?
Sample Answer:
"I want to visit Australia for tourism. I plan to explore Sydney, Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef, and Uluru. I have always wanted to see Australian wildlife and natural wonders."
Tips:
- Be specific about purpose
- Mention specific places and attractions
- Tourism is a valid reason
Common Mistakes:
- Vague answers
- Mentioning work or study on visitor visa
- No specific plans
Q2 How long do you plan to stay in Australia?
Sample Answer:
"I plan to stay for 3 weeks. My return flights are booked for [date]. This gives me enough time to visit Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, and spend a few days at the Great Barrier Reef."
Tips:
- Match with your application
- Have return ticket booked
- Reasonable duration for tourism
Common Mistakes:
- Inconsistent with application
- Too long for stated purpose
- No return plans
Q3 What places do you plan to visit?
Sample Answer:
"I will start in Sydney for 5 days to see the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Bondi Beach. Then fly to Cairns for 4 days to visit the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Next, Melbourne for 5 days for the Great Ocean Road. Finally, 3 days in Uluru."
Tips:
- Know your itinerary well
- Research Australian attractions
- Be realistic about timing and distances
Common Mistakes:
- Not knowing attractions
- Unrealistic itinerary given Australia's size
Q4 Do you know anyone in Australia?
Sample Answer:
"I have a friend from college who lives in Melbourne. We might meet for dinner, but my trip is primarily for sightseeing. I will stay in hotels throughout my trip."
Tips:
- Be honest about contacts
- If visiting family, have invitation letter
- Clarify your independent plans
Common Mistakes:
- Hiding relatives
- Unclear about accommodation
- Saying you'll stay with friends long-term
Financial Situation
Questions about funding your trip
Q1 How will you fund your trip to Australia?
Sample Answer:
"I am self-funding this trip from my savings and salary. I have ₹12 lakhs in my bank account and earn ₹1.8 lakhs per month. The trip will cost approximately AUD 8,000-10,000 which I can comfortably afford."
Tips:
- Self-funded is best
- Have 6 months bank statements
- Show stable income
Common Mistakes:
- Insufficient funds
- Unstable income pattern
- Large unexplained deposits
Q2 What is your occupation and annual income?
Sample Answer:
"I am a Lead Software Engineer at Infosys. My annual salary is ₹22 lakhs. I have been with Infosys for 4 years and have been in the IT industry for 8 years total."
Tips:
- Clear company and title
- Mention salary
- Show career stability and progression
Common Mistakes:
- Vague employment
- Job hopping concerns
- Not knowing your salary
Q3 Can you show proof of sufficient funds?
Sample Answer:
"Yes, I have 6 months of bank statements showing consistent salary credits, my ITR for 3 years showing increasing income, and my employment letter with salary details."
Tips:
- Have documents organized
- Know your numbers
- Consistent salary credits important
Common Mistakes:
- Disorganized documents
- Unexplained large transactions
- Minimum balance pattern
Ties to India (GTE Requirement)
Critical questions about why you will return - Genuine Temporary Entrant
Q1 Why will you return to India after your visit?
Sample Answer:
"I have compelling reasons to return. My career at Infosys is excellent - I lead a team of 12 engineers and have a promotion review coming up. My parents depend on me as I am their only child. I own a 3BHK flat in Pune. My entire life, family, and career are in India."
Tips:
- Multiple strong ties required
- Job, family, property, investments
- Be specific and genuine
Common Mistakes:
- Weak single reason
- No property or investments
- Sounding uncertain
Q2 Do you own any property or have investments in India?
Sample Answer:
"Yes, I own a flat in Pune worth ₹1.2 crores which I purchased in 2020. I also have ₹40 lakhs in fixed deposits and ₹25 lakhs in mutual funds and stocks."
Tips:
- Property is strong tie
- Mention investments
- Have documents ready
Common Mistakes:
- Not mentioning assets
- Not knowing values of your assets
Q3 What is your family situation in India?
Sample Answer:
"I am married with a 5-year-old daughter. My wife is a doctor at Apollo Hospital. My parents are in their 60s and live in the same city as us. My wife and daughter are staying back as my daughter has school."
Tips:
- Family ties are strong evidence
- Mention dependents
- Explain why they aren't traveling
Common Mistakes:
- Not mentioning family
- Inconsistent family details
Q4 What about your job while you are away?
Sample Answer:
"I have approved leave for 3 weeks. My manager has signed off and I have a formal leave approval letter. I have handed over my projects to a colleague. My job is secure and waiting for me."
Tips:
- Have leave approval
- Show job is secure
- Mention handover arrangements
Common Mistakes:
- No documentation
- Uncertain about job
- Taking long leave without approval
Travel History
Questions about your past travels
Q1 Which countries have you visited before?
Sample Answer:
"I have traveled to USA, UK, Singapore, Thailand, and UAE in the past 5 years. I have valid stamps in my passport and returned on time from each trip. I have never overstayed anywhere."
Tips:
- Mention USA/UK/Schengen if applicable
- Emphasize compliance
- Strong travel history helps
Common Mistakes:
- Forgetting to mention trips
- Not bringing old passports
- Lying about history
Q2 Have you visited Australia before?
Sample Answer:
"No, this will be my first visit to Australia. However, I have traveled to other developed countries like the USA and UK and have always followed visa rules."
Tips:
- If visited, mention compliance
- If not, mention similar country travel
- Be honest
Common Mistakes:
- Lying about previous visits
- Not mentioning relevant travel
Q3 Have you ever been refused a visa or had immigration issues?
Sample Answer:
"No, I have never been refused a visa to any country and have never had any immigration issues. / Yes, my Australia visa was refused once in 2021. Since then, I have strengthened my application with better documentation, higher savings, and stronger employment."
Tips:
- Be completely honest
- Australia can check your history
- Explain improvements if refused before
Common Mistakes:
- Hiding refusals
- Not explaining what changed since last refusal
Immigration Compliance
Questions about following Australian visa rules
Q1 Are you aware of the conditions of the visitor visa?
Sample Answer:
"Yes, I understand that on a Subclass 600 visitor visa I cannot work in Australia, I cannot study for more than 3 months, and I must leave before my visa expires. I will follow all conditions."
Tips:
- Know the visa conditions
- No work condition is important
- Show you understand the rules
Common Mistakes:
- Not knowing conditions
- Mentioning any work plans
Q2 Do you have any intention to stay permanently in Australia?
Sample Answer:
"No, I have no intention to migrate to Australia. I have a successful career in India, my family is here, and I own property. This is purely a tourism trip and I will return as planned."
Tips:
- Be clear about temporary intent
- Reinforce your ties to India
- Sound genuine
Common Mistakes:
- Being vague
- Mentioning PR aspirations
- Sounding uncertain
Q3 What will you do if your visa is extended or overstayed accidentally?
Sample Answer:
"I have no plans to extend my stay - my return ticket is booked and my leave is only for 3 weeks. If there were any emergency, I would contact the Department of Home Affairs immediately to understand my options legally."
Tips:
- Show you understand consequences
- Emphasize you have fixed return plans
- Know overstay is serious
Common Mistakes:
- Suggesting you might extend
- Not knowing overstay consequences
Common Rejection Reasons
Avoid these mistakes to improve your chances
Ready to Apply for Your Australia Visa?
Now that you know the interview questions, get the complete step-by-step guide with document checklist, fees, and processing times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is interview required for Australia visa?
No, Australia Subclass 600 visitor visas are typically processed without an interview. Decisions are made based on your online application and uploaded documents. You may receive a phone call for clarification in some cases.
What is the GTE requirement for Australia visa?
GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) means you must prove you genuinely intend to stay temporarily. You need strong ties to India through employment, family, property, and a good reason to return.
How long does Australia visa processing take?
Processing times vary from 20 days to 3 months for Indian applicants. Most straightforward applications are processed within 4-6 weeks. Apply well in advance.
What funds are required for Australia tourist visa?
While there is no fixed amount, having AUD 5,000-10,000 available funds plus sufficient income is recommended. You need to show you can afford flights, accommodation, and daily expenses.