If you want to travel to Australia you need a valid visa. As a tourist there are 3 different tourist visas to choose from: The eVisitor (subclass 651), the ETA Visa (subclass 601) and the Visitor Visa (subclass 600). With all 3 visas you are not allowed to work. If you want to work in Australia, then apply for a work visa or the Working Holiday Visa.
In this article I answer the most frequently asked questions about ETA Australia.
Note Regarding the Current COVID-19 Pandemic: Application & Delays
Update (28.7.2020) – Due to the Corona Pandemic, entry to Australia is currently not possible even with an already approved Working Holiday Visa and ETA.
Attention: The COVID-19 information is subject to change at any time.
As there are three different tourist visas for Australia, it looks complicated at first glance which is the right visa for your trip.
Here is an overview of the different tourist visas:
● eVisitor (subclass 651) – The eVisitor is free and can only be applied online. It entitles you to enter and leave Australia as often as you wish within 12 months from the date of issue and you can stay in Australia for a maximum of 3 months at a time.
● ETA Visa (subclass 601) – The ETA currently costs 20 AUD and can applied online for certain countries (UK is not included). You can also apply for the ETA through a travel agency, airline or Australian visa office. It entitles you to enter and leave Australia as often as you wish within 12 months from the date of issue and you can stay in Australia for a maximum of 3 months at a time.
● Visitor Visa (subclass 600) – The Visitor Visa costs between 145 AUD and 700 AUD. (Depending on where you apply and which visas you already hold in Australia – The AUD 145 are from outside Australia). You can apply for the visa online or through a visa office. It entitles you to enter and leave Australia as often as you wish within 12 months from the date of issue and you can stay in Australia for up to 12 months.
Tip: Save the 20 AUD for the ETA and rather apply for the free eVisitor.
1. General Information about the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) provides authorisation to travel to and enter Australia and is electronically linked to your passport.
It is for short term stays for tourism or business visitor activities such as attending a conference, making business enquiries or for contractual negotiations. Business visitor activities do not include work.
An ETA is not a work visa. If you would like to work in Australia you can apply for the Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 & subclass 462).
As there are three different tourist visas for Australia, it looks complicated at first glance which one is the right visa for your trip.
If you want to travel to Australia as a tourist (not for work) and your stay is no longer than 3 months, then always apply for the -> eVisitor (subclass 651) <- because this visa is free of charge and you can apply online.
But if you don't have any time left, for example because you buy a flight directly at the flight office, then they will book an ETA Visa (subclass 601) for you.
Attention: On a flight from Auckland to Melbourne, I forgot to apply for an ETA. Before boarding, the airline always checks if you have a valid ETA. They wanted 80 AUD instead of the regular fee of 20 AUD. I still had some spare time so I went to the nearest flight center. But even they still charged 50 AUD. Don’t do the same mistake. Book your visa in advance.
After your ETA is granted you are able to enter and leave Australia as many times as you need to during a 12 month period, from the date the ETA is granted or until the expiry date of your passport, whichever is earlier.
After your ETA is granted you are able to enter and leave Australia as many times as you need to during a 12 month period, from the date the ETA is granted or until the expiry date of your passport, whichever is earlier.
You can stay in Australia for a maximum of three months on each visit.
After your ETA is granted you are able to enter and leave Australia as many times as you need to during a 12 month period, from the date the ETA is granted or until the expiry date of your passport, whichever is earlier.
With an ETA you will be able to enter and leave Australia as many times as you need to during a 12 month period. However, if you are unable to leave every three months or have a different requirement you will need to apply for a visa which allows for a longer stay in Australia. For example the Visitor Visa (subclass 600) or the Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 & subclass 462).
To apply for an ETA online use the Australia government website. But you must hold a passport from one of the following countries or regions to be able to apply online:
Brunei Darussalam
Canada
Hong Kong (SAR PRC)
Japan
Malaysia
Singapore
Korea, Rep of (STH)
United States
If you aren’t eligible to apply for an ETA online you might be able to apply through a travel agent, airline or at an Australian visa office. As part of the application/approval process, you will be issued with a Reference Number. You will need the Reference Number to check the status of your ETA or your application.
To apply for an ETA you must be outside Australia. An ETA is for short term stays for tourism or business visitor activities.
You need:
your passport
email address
valid credit card
The details you provide in your ETA application need to be exactly the same as they appear in your passport. You must use the same passport that is linked to your online ETA application when you travel.
Anyone who arrives in Australia without a valid travel document, visa or ETA can be refused entry to or delayed until their identity and claims to enter Australia have been confirmed.
Attention: On a flight from Auckland to Melbourne, I forgot to apply for an ETA. Before boarding, the airline always checks if you have a valid ETA. They wanted 80 AUD instead of the regular fee of 20 AUD. I still had some spare time so I went to the nearest flight center. But even they still charged 50 AUD. Don’t do the same mistake. Book your visa in advance.
Info: Save the $ 20 AUD and apply instead online for the free eVisitor (subclass 651).
In most cases, you will be informed of the result of your application before leaving the online ETA system. Some applications might require additional processing. If your application is not processed immediately, check back in 12 hours via Check an ETA to confirm if your application is approved.
Yes. Online ETA applications are available in English and Japanese. For Japanese, select the Japanese icon in the top right corner of the ETA home page.
No. All family members must make separate ETA applications. Even if your children travel on your passport, they will need an individual ETA application.
The online ETA system can be used to apply for an ETA for members of your family travelling with you provided they also meet all the online ETA eligibility criteria.
When travelling to Australia we need to ensure that you have a valid visa.
If you have used a slightly different name on your ETA application to that on your passport, knowing that you have an alias or another name or different spelling of your name will help us check that you do have a valid visa.
If you have a criminal conviction and have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 12 months or more, you should not be applying for an ETA. You might be eligible to apply for other types of online visitor visas.
If you are found to be in breach of any condition, your visa can be cancelled at the border and you will not be able to enter Australia.
You will be advised while on the ETA website if your application requires additional processing. Use ‘Check an ETA' in 12 hours to confirm if your application is approved.
It is your responsibility to know what your visa allows you to do while in Australia.
After your ETA is granted you are able to enter and leave Australia as many times as you need to during a 12 month period. From the date the ETA is granted or until the expiry date of your passport, whichever is earlier.
You can stay in Australia for a maximum of three months on each visit.
You must not study for more than three months.
You must be free from tuberculosis.
You must not have any criminal convictions for which you have been sentenced for a total combined period of 12 months or more, whether or not the sentence/s were served.
It is illegal to work on an ETA. Whilst on an ETA you have no right to work in Australia. You may only undertake business visitor activities such as the undertaking of business enquiries and contractual negotiations or attending conferences.
Important: You might not be permitted to enter Australia unless you are in good health and have no significant criminal convictions. You should note that you must depart Australia before your authorised stay period expires. If you do not, you can be detained and/or removed from Australia. Overstaying might also affect your ability to be granted another Australian visa, including an ETA, in the future. If circumstances arise while you are in Australia that require you to stay longer than the three months permitted by your ETA, you must obtain another visa before the end of the three month stay period.
If you are not able to apply for an ETA online you might be eligible to apply for an ETA through a travel agent, airline or an Australian visa office. Or alternatively if you would like to travel, work or study in Australia try to apply for an eVisitor (subclass 651), Visitor visa (subclass 600) or the Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 & subclass 462).
In addition you can use the Visa finder on the Australian government website to search for a Visa that is suitable for you.
It is important that you are very careful when you enter your personal details. You will have an opportunity to review all the details you have provided and can change the details at any time until you confirm all details as correct.
If you have made an error, it is important that you correct it before proceeding. Once you have confirmed the details, your credit card will be debited for the non-refundable service charge.
If you find out later that you have made a mistake, you will need to make a new application (and incur another service charge). It is not possible to change the details on an ETA once it has been issued.
Note: If your ETA details do not match your passport details you might experience delays when boarding your aircraft or be refused entry into Australia.
If you already hold a current visa for travel to Australia, you will be notified during the application process and you will be given the option of whether to proceed with your application.
If you proceed, any ETA granted will not begin until your current visa or ETA expires.
On the official website of the Australian government you can find more information about ETA Australia.
This was my FAQ about ETA Australia. I hope I could help you with this post. If you have any further questions about the ETA visa, please let me know in the comments, and I can add your question to the FAQ.
Important: For the Working Holiday Visa in Australia you don't need an ETA and if you only want to go to Australia as a tourist, then apply online for the free eVisitor (subclass 651).
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I applied for a working holiday visa in August 2022 and it was granted. I am going to Australia to work for a year next week. A friend told me that I also need to apply for an ETA which I did. it was granted as 3 months and now I realise I don’t need it. can I cancel my ETA and go back to my original subclass 417 visa?
I was granted a Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) on 8 May 2023. However, I did not activate it.
I decided to travel to Australia 1 July 2023 to see if I enjoyed the country first.
I entered Australia using the Eletronic Travel Authorization (subclass 601). Is my 462 still valid since it was granted, offshore, before entry to Australia? Or did the 601 void it?
Hi Brian,
as you can have just one active visa. Most likely the 601 did void it. You should be able to see the visa status via the homeaffairs website.
my first WHV will expire soon and I’m planning on leaving the country and apply for an ETA to be able to re-enter and travel for 3 months before going home to Germany. Do you think they are gonna approve my ETA without any issues? thank you so much.
Hi! thank you for the information. I have a question. I already apply offshore for my first Working Holiday visa 462. it’s been 2 months already and I’m still waiting for an answer. I was wondering if I apply now for the eVisitor 651 I would be able to enter the Country? ( I have my apartment and other business to manage that’s why I need to come back).
So let’s say I’m granted a 651. If I’m inside the country my WHM would still be processed and before they approved they contact me and tell me they will grant it once I’m outside? would work this way? thank you
Hi Daniel,
from my understanding you can just have one current visa. So if you apply for a 651 and enter the country, you couldn’t get the working holiday visa anymore. Because the working holiday visa (1st year) can just be granted if you are outside Australia.
Hope that helps. Maybe best to contact an immigration adviser or lawyer for your specific case and details.
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February 14, 2023 @ 1:04 am
I applied for a working holiday visa in August 2022 and it was granted. I am going to Australia to work for a year next week. A friend told me that I also need to apply for an ETA which I did. it was granted as 3 months and now I realise I don’t need it. can I cancel my ETA and go back to my original subclass 417 visa?
March 8, 2023 @ 10:53 pm
Hi Fiadhnait,
as far as I am aware you can’t reverse this and might need to apply for another working holiday instead then.
Sorry, the ETA is just meant to be if you don’t have another visa. So the recommendation of your friend was wrong.
Cheers Julian
June 27, 2023 @ 6:58 pm
hi Fiadhnait. did you find out if you needed to reapply for your subclass 417 visa or was it accepted? I also have made the same mistake.
January 29, 2024 @ 5:12 pm
I have made the same mistake, what did you end up doing? did you have to reapply?
November 6, 2023 @ 12:30 pm
Hello,
I was granted a Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) on 8 May 2023. However, I did not activate it.
I decided to travel to Australia 1 July 2023 to see if I enjoyed the country first.
I entered Australia using the Eletronic Travel Authorization (subclass 601). Is my 462 still valid since it was granted, offshore, before entry to Australia? Or did the 601 void it?
November 24, 2023 @ 8:31 pm
Hi Brian,
as you can have just one active visa. Most likely the 601 did void it. You should be able to see the visa status via the homeaffairs website.
Hope that helps.
Julian
November 27, 2023 @ 11:56 pm
Hi Julian,
my first WHV will expire soon and I’m planning on leaving the country and apply for an ETA to be able to re-enter and travel for 3 months before going home to Germany. Do you think they are gonna approve my ETA without any issues? thank you so much.
November 29, 2023 @ 9:20 pm
Hi Nadine,
usually that won’t be an issue. Just make sure to fulfill all the requirements for an ETA.
Enjoy.
May 2, 2024 @ 1:08 pm
Hi! thank you for the information. I have a question. I already apply offshore for my first Working Holiday visa 462. it’s been 2 months already and I’m still waiting for an answer. I was wondering if I apply now for the eVisitor 651 I would be able to enter the Country? ( I have my apartment and other business to manage that’s why I need to come back).
So let’s say I’m granted a 651. If I’m inside the country my WHM would still be processed and before they approved they contact me and tell me they will grant it once I’m outside? would work this way? thank you
May 5, 2024 @ 7:59 am
Hi Daniel,
from my understanding you can just have one current visa. So if you apply for a 651 and enter the country, you couldn’t get the working holiday visa anymore. Because the working holiday visa (1st year) can just be granted if you are outside Australia.
Hope that helps. Maybe best to contact an immigration adviser or lawyer for your specific case and details.
Cheers, Julian