Commonly referred to as "The Land Down Under", the continent of Australia is viewed by many to be among the most exciting and diverse tourist destinations in the planet. The continent continues to attract hundreds of thousands of tourists annually, who visit its lovely white-sand beaches, stunning natural landscapes, exciting adventure destinations, exotic food and cultural amenities, as well as first-class tourist accommodations. Those who wish to visit this lovely continent may do so by acquiring an Australian Tourist Visa, and one could get this either by asking for help from a local travel agent, or by personally visiting the nearest Australian Visa center. You may also avail of this entry requirement online, by logging on to the official Australian Visa online website.

Australia is a continent with a very low population density. It has a combined population of around only 21.3 million, with most of the population living around the state capitals of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, as well as in Canberra. Recently, immigration has been a vital factor in the nation's development. Around six million immigrants from different corners of the planet have come to call this land home, along with 517,000 Aborigines, who are the nation's biggest minority group. Whites account for an estimated 95% of the population, and are generally of British descent. It is also noted for having one of the world's highest living standards. This is also of unique and contrasting patterns. While lush vegetation ranges from the rain forests of the far north, it's as dry and sandy as it gets in the deserts and steppes of the vast interior, also known as the Outback. The continent is also famous for being the home of around 130 species of marsupials like koalas, kangaroos, and wombats.

Applying for an Australian tourist visa could be done by mail as well as on the internet. The fees or applicable charges may differ when applying either by mail, online or by going direct to an Australian consular office. The most common visa issued by Australian immigration authorities, is the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa, which lasts for up to 3 months, as well as a tourist visa that allows the visitor to stay up to 12 months. Once you fill up an application form and pay the necessary fees, you should now be able to acquire the tourist visa, once it's approved. Ensure that you print all the documents you receive, and bring this along with your other pertinent travel papers. Before getting a visa, make sure that your current passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of your departure, to prevent you from being barred by Immigration officers, as well as prepare your passport requirements in advance with your local or international carrier when booking for a flight to the Land Down Under.

In addition, tourists are also advised to get their own health insurance coverage before visiting Australia, as most visitors will not be covered by the country's universal health care program, and medical care expenses are high here as well. For those who also come and go frequently, its advisable to get a multiple-entry visa, as this will enable visitors to enter and exit the Australian border more than once. Overseas students who do not plan on studying longer than 3 months may also use tourist visas to achieve this objective. Visa applications from the United States are rarely denied; however you need to apply early for your visa, or ask your travel agent to do this, because you may need extra time to appeal should your initial visa application be rejected.