Australia ETA Visa Application

Australia ETA visa application explained — eligible passports, the AUD 20 app process, what it allows, and how to avoid delays. Updated 2026 Home Affairs guidance.

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If you're eligible, the Australia ETA (Electronic Travel Authority, Subclass 601) is by far the fastest and cheapest way into the country — most decisions land within minutes, not weeks. But eligibility is strictly passport-based, and a surprising number of travellers waste time applying for the wrong visa entirely. Here's exactly how the ETA works in 2026.

What Is the Australia ETA (Subclass 601)?

The ETA is a digital visa linked electronically to your passport — there's no stamp or label. It allows eligible travellers multiple entries over a 12-month validity period, with stays of up to 3 months per visit, for tourism, visiting family and friends, or short business activities like meetings and conferences.

Is Your Passport Eligible for the ETA?

The ETA is only available to passport holders from specific eligible countries, currently including:

United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan
United Kingdom and most EU/EEA nations (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and others)
A defined list of roughly 34 eligible passports in total, updated periodically by Home Affairs

If your passport isn't on the list, you may still qualify for the free eVisitor (Subclass 651) if you hold certain European passports, or you'll need the full Visitor visa (Subclass 600), which is open to all nationalities.

How to Apply for the Australia ETA: Step-by-Step

Download the official Australian ETA app — free on the Apple App Store or Google Play
Create a new ETA request inside the app
Scan your passport's NFC chip using your phone's camera
Take a selfie for facial recognition matching against your passport photo
Answer the short character, health, and travel-purpose declaration questions honestly
Pay the AUD 20 service fee — there is no separate visa application charge
Wait for your decision, usually instant, occasionally up to 72 hours if further checks apply

What the ETA Allows — and What It Doesn't

Allowed: tourism, visiting family or friends, cruising, attending conferences or business meetings
Allowed: multiple entries within the 12-month validity period
Not allowed: any form of paid work in Australia
Not allowed: applying if your passport changes after grant — a new ETA is required for a new passport number
Not designed for repeated extended stays; immigration officers may question a pattern of frequent short visits that doesn't look like genuine tourism

Not sure whether the ETA, eVisitor, or full Visitor visa fits your trip? Get a free eligibility check from Australian Immigration Consultants — choosing the wrong option can cost you time and money at the border.

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ETA vs eVisitor vs Subclass 600: Which One Do You Need?

If you hold a European passport eligible for both the ETA and the eVisitor, the eVisitor is usually the better pick — it's free, offers the same 3-month stay, but requires setting up an ImmiAccount instead of using the app. Choose the full Subclass 600 if your passport isn't ETA or eVisitor eligible, you need longer than 3 months, you're already in Australia needing to extend, or you have a criminal history that prevents automated ETA processing.

Common Reasons ETA Applications Get Delayed or Refused

Most ETA issues trace back to avoidable errors: mismatched passport and personal details, poor-quality NFC scans or selfies, inconsistent or dishonest answers to declaration questions, or applying with a passport that isn't actually on the eligible list. False declarations in particular can lead to cancellation and future entry bans — always answer honestly, even when a question feels inconvenient.

How Australian Immigration Consultants Helps

At Australian Immigration Consultants, led by MARA-registered migration agent Fahad Shamim (MARN 2619225), we help travellers confirm the right visa pathway before they apply — ETA, eVisitor, or Subclass 600 — and resolve more complex cases where an ETA has been refused or a traveller needs a longer-stay or higher-risk application handled properly. Getting the right visa the first time avoids wasted fees and border delays.

FAQs

How much does the Australia ETA cost? AUD 20 as a service fee through the Australian ETA app — there's no separate visa application charge.

How long is the ETA valid for? 12 months from grant, with multiple entries and stays of up to 3 months per visit.

Can I work in Australia on an ETA? No — paid work is not permitted under the ETA.

What if my country isn't ETA-eligible? You may qualify for the free eVisitor (European passports) or need to apply for the full Visitor visa (Subclass 600).