Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)

What You Need Before You Start the AustralianETA App

ETA applications can only be made through the official AustralianETA app, available for Apple and Android phones. Before you start, make sure you have:

• your passport, which must be from an eligible country and must be the passport you will travel on
• a smartphone with a working camera and NFC (the feature that lets the phone read the chip in your passport)
• an email address you can check, as the outcome is usually sent by email
• a credit or debit card, or a phone payment option, to pay the AUD 20 service charge

The app will ask you to scan your passport, read the passport chip, take a live photo of your face and answer questions about your health, character and the purpose of your trip. Answer every question accurately. Incorrect answers can lead to refusal or cancellation, and can cause problems with future visa applications.

Beware of unofficial websites

There are many websites that offer to lodge an ETA for you and charge much more than the AUD 20 service charge. The ETA is only available through the official app (or through an authorised travel agent acting on your behalf). If a website asks you to pay a large fee for an “Australian ETA”, it is not the official process.

Applying for Family Members and Groups

Every traveller needs their own ETA, including babies and children. You do not need a separate phone for each person. You can apply for family members or travel companions on the same device, but each person must be present when their face photo is taken, and you will need each person’s passport.

Each application costs AUD 20, so a family of four pays AUD 80 in total.

Your Passport and Your ETA

Your ETA is linked electronically to the passport you used to apply. No label is placed in your passport, and you do not need to print anything, although keeping a copy of the grant email is a good idea.

• New passport: if you renew or replace your passport, your ETA does not move across. You will need to apply for a new ETA on the new passport.
• Passport expiry: the ETA lasts for 12 months or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If your passport is close to expiry, it is often better to renew it before you apply.
• Dual citizens: apply using the passport you will actually travel on. Airlines check your ETA against the passport you present at check in.

Is the ETA Right for Your Trip?

The ETA covers short tourist and business visits. Use this table to check whether it suits what you plan to do.

Want to Stay Longer Than 3 Months?

An ETA cannot be extended. Each visit is limited to 3 months from the date you enter Australia. If you want to stay longer, you need to apply for a different visa, usually a Visitor visa (subclass 600) in the Tourist stream, before your current permitted stay ends. Applying from inside Australia costs AUD 630 from 1 July 2026, and further charges can apply in some cases.

If you apply in time, you will usually be granted a bridging visa that lets you stay lawfully while your new application is processed. Do not let your stay run past the 3 month limit, as overstaying can make it much harder to get a visa in future.

Leaving Australia and coming back again straight away can give you a new 3 month stay, but the ETA is not designed for living in Australia. If your travel pattern suggests you are effectively living here, you may be questioned at the border and your ETA could be cancelled.

Arriving in Australia on an ETA

Holding an ETA does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, you still go through immigration clearance, and officers may ask about the purpose of your trip, where you are staying and how you will support yourself. It helps to have:

• evidence of your return or onward travel
• details of where you will stay
• access to enough money for your visit
• for business visits, a letter or invitation explaining the meetings or event you are attending

Australia also has strict biosecurity rules. Declare any food, plant material or animal products you are carrying when you arrive.

If Your ETA Is Not Granted Straight Away

Most ETAs are granted quickly, but some applications are referred for further checks. If this happens, you may be asked to provide more information, such as identity documents, evidence of your employment and funds, and details of your travel plans. Provide what is asked for as soon as possible, and do not finalise travel bookings until your ETA is granted.

If your ETA is refused, there is generally no tribunal review of the decision. Your options are usually to apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) with documents that address the concerns, or to make a new application if your circumstances have changed. Our guide to documents for an Australian tourist visa can help.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Paying an unofficial website a large fee instead of using the official AustralianETA app.
• Booking non refundable flights before the ETA is granted.
• Travelling on a new passport without applying for a new ETA.
• Assuming one ETA covers the whole family. Each person needs their own.
• Not declaring a criminal conviction, or applying for an ETA when a Visitor visa would be more appropriate.
• Doing work in Australia, including unpaid work that would normally be paid, on the belief that business visitor activities cover it.
• Staying more than 3 months in one visit.