Australia ETA
Tourism and business travel to Australia on an ETA, valid one year with multiple stays of up to three months each.
See who can apply for the Australia ETA, the documents you'll need, and how the application works.
Overview
The Electronic Travel Authority, or ETA, is Australia's digital travel permit for short visits. It is an authorisation linked electronically to your passport that lets eligible passport holders travel to Australia for tourism and business, rather than a visa stamped in the passport. An approved ETA is generally valid for one year from issuance and allows multiple entries during that period, with each stay lasting up to three months.
You can use it for holidays, visiting family and friends, business meetings, conferences and short courses of study. An ETA does not cover paid employment, work for an Australian employer, long-term study toward a qualification, or permanent residence, all of which need the corresponding Australian visa. It links to the passport you apply with, so you must travel on that same document, and every traveller, including children and infants, needs their own ETA.
Citizens of eligible European passport countries may apply provided their passport is valid, and for them the Australia ETA is issued as the eVisitor with no Australian government charge. If your passport is not on the eligible list, or you intend to work or study long term, you will normally need a different Australian visa instead. Your eligibility and your documents are reviewed against current Department of Home Affairs rules, in your own language, and your eVisitor is then prepared and filed online on your behalf.
At a glance
The key facts for a Australia ETA application.
- Visa type
- ETA
- What you need
- Your passport
- Validity
- 1 year
- Maximum stay
- 3 months per entry
- Entry type
- Multiple
Who can apply
The main eligibility conditions for this destination, and who can apply.
The Australia ETA for European passport holders is issued as the eVisitor, with no Australian government charge. Valid for one year from issuance with multiple entries up to three months each. Children need their own ETA. Your eVisitor is prepared and filed online with the Australian Department of Home Affairs after your eligibility and documents are reviewed against current rules, so there is nothing for you to lodge yourself.
What you'll need
Have these ready before you begin your application. Requirements can vary by nationality and trip purpose.
- Passport from an ETA-eligible country
- Email address for review delivery
- A scan of your passport bio page, used to verify every field before filing
- Your home address and the purpose of your visit
- Payment method (one all-inclusive price)
Requirements in detail
An ETA asks for less than a visa, but the details must match your travel documents exactly. You need a passport from an eligible country, valid for the duration of your stay, and you should have its number, issue and expiry dates and country of issue ready. The ETA links to that passport electronically, so there is no applicant photograph to upload, unlike many visas; you do provide a scan of your passport bio page, which is used to verify every field before filing.
You provide your home address, a phone number and the purpose of your visit, along with a valid email address that receives the outcome and a payment card. A short set of character questions covers criminal charges, convictions and family-violence orders; answer them honestly, because an inaccurate answer is a frequent reason an application is refused or delayed. The eligibility and documents are checked against current rules, and your eVisitor is then prepared and filed online with the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf.
The single most common avoidable error is a mistyped name or passport number: a character that does not match the passport can cause problems at check-in, so verify every field against the passport itself before it is filed.
Government processing time
What the issuing authority typically takes once the application is submitted.
Government processing: Australian Department of Home Affairs decides in 1 to 24 hours, often within minutes. VisitPass review: Standard under 24h; Priority under 6h; Urgent under 30 min. The application is checked for completeness, submitted to the authority, and the confirmation issued. On when to apply, most ETAs are decided quickly, but it is wise to allow a comfortable margin before your departure rather than leaving it to the last day. The details are reviewed against current rules and your eVisitor is filed online with the Department of Home Affairs, so the submission goes smoothly. Apply once your travel is reasonably firm, since the ETA is tied to the passport you book and fly with.
On arrival
Your approved ETA is held electronically against your passport, so there is nothing to print to board; the airline checks the authorisation against your passport when you check in. It is still sensible to save the approval email or your reference number in case of a systems issue. Travel on the exact passport you applied with, because the ETA is tied to that document.
An ETA lets you board and request entry, but the final admission decision is made by an Australian Border Force officer at the airport, who may ask about the purpose and length of your visit. Have your return or onward ticket and your Australian address ready to show, and be prepared to explain that your trip is for tourism or business within the permitted three months.
Planning your trip
Australia rewards a focused itinerary. Sydney pairs its Opera House and Harbour Bridge with golden ocean beaches and ferry rides across the harbour, while the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland offers world-class diving and snorkelling among living coral. The red heart of the country at Uluru rewards an early start to beat the heat and to catch the rock glowing at sunrise, and Melbourne adds its laneways, coffee culture and the coastal Great Ocean Road as a fine southern base. Tasmania brings cool wilderness, walking trails and clean air, while the vast Outback stretches between with empty horizons and brilliant night skies. Seasons run opposite to the northern hemisphere, so December to February is high summer, while May to October brings the dry, comfortable weather that suits the reef and the tropical north. Distances are enormous, so anchor on one or two regions and book internal flights early rather than crossing the continent in a rush. Pack strong sun protection and a wide-brimmed hat, layers for cool desert nights, reef-safe sunscreen, and sturdy shoes for coastal cliffs and bush walks.
One all-inclusive price
One price per visa with everything included. The government portion goes to the issuing authority and is non-refundable, itemised on your official receipt. Our service covers a full review of your application, secure handling and 24/7 email support.
From
USD 115.00
Standard tier, one all-inclusive price. You choose your processing speed at checkout, where the final price is confirmed.
Prices are in USD. The government portion included in your all-inclusive price is an approximate USD equivalent of the issuing authority's official charge; the exact total is confirmed at checkout.
How to apply
Three steps from start to approval.
Complete the form
Answer the official questions online. Your draft is saved for up to 30 days, so you can finish once your documents are to hand.
Pay securely
You see the one all-inclusive price before you pay. We check your application for completeness before it reaches the government portal.
Receive by email
Your approved travel authorisation arrives by email. Bring it, or a copy, together with the passport you applied with when you travel.
Questions about this destination
Common questions specific to this visa. For broader topics see our help centre.
How long does the Australian ETA take?
Australian Department of Home Affairs typically issues ETAs within 24 hours of submission, and some are decided within minutes. We review your eligibility and documentation against current DHA rules and then file your eVisitor online for you, reducing the risk of a refusal.
Can I work in Australia with an ETA?
No. The ETA is for tourism, business meetings, short study and transit. Paid work requires a separate work visa. Our specialists will flag this if the wizard answers indicate work intent.
How much is an ETA for Australia?
You pay one all-inclusive price. For European passport holders the Australia ETA is issued as the eVisitor, which carries no Australian government charge, so the price covers our service: the eligibility and document review against current rules and filing your eVisitor online with the Department of Home Affairs. Our service fee is refunded in most denial scenarios outside your control. There are no hidden charges and the price does not change after you pay.
What if my Australian ETA is refused?
Most refusals stem from criminal history disclosures or eligibility mismatches. If refused for reasons outside your control, our service fee is refunded. There is no Australian government charge for the eVisitor, so there is no government fee to lose. Denial Protection is available for eligible cases.
Can I get an Australian ETA at the airport?
No. The ETA must be approved before you travel, and airlines check it electronically at check-in. There is no airport or on-arrival option, so apply ahead of your departure. The ETA is then linked to your passport automatically.
How long is the Australia ETA valid?
The ETA is valid for one year from issuance, with multiple entries of up to three months each. Children need their own ETA.
Can VisitPass submit my Australia ETA for me?
Yes. We prepare and file your eVisitor online with the Australian Department of Home Affairs, using the details we have checked for you. First we review your eligibility and documents against current rules, then we submit the application and send you the confirmation, so there is nothing for you to lodge yourself.
What is an Australian ETA?
An ETA is the Electronic Travel Authority, Australia's digital permit for short visits. It is not a visa stamped in your passport but an authorisation linked to it electronically, allowing eligible passport holders to travel for tourism and business, with multiple entries over one year and stays of up to three months each.
Do I need to print my Australian ETA?
No. An approved ETA is held electronically against your passport, so the airline and Border Force see it automatically and there is nothing to print. We still suggest saving the approval email or your reference number so you can check the status if you wish, and you simply travel on the passport you applied with.
How long can I stay in Australia, and can I extend?
Each entry on an ETA allows a stay of up to three months for tourism or business, and you can enter multiple times within the one-year validity. A single stay cannot be extended beyond three months, and you cannot use back-to-back trips to live in Australia. For a longer stay you would apply for the appropriate Australian visa instead.
Do I need an ETA to transit through Australia?
If you pass through immigration or leave the transit area you normally need a valid ETA or a transit visa, even for a short connection. Eligibility depends on your nationality and your route, so it is safest to hold an approved ETA before you travel. We review your eligibility answers against current rules before filing, so you are not caught out at check-in.
Does every traveller need their own ETA?
Yes. Every traveller needs an individual ETA, including children and infants, and each one links to that person's own passport. Families cannot share a single authorisation, so plan an application for each member of your party before you travel and make sure the passport details match each person exactly.
How can I avoid mistakes on my Australia ETA application?
The most common avoidable error is a typed detail that does not match your passport, such as a misspelt name, a wrong passport number or a mistaken date of birth. These mismatches are the usual cause of delays or refusals. We check every answer against your passport and current rules before we file it for you.
How does applying for an Australia ETA work with VisitPass?
You complete a guided questionnaire in your own language and provide your passport details. We review your eligibility and documents against current Home Affairs rules and flag anything that needs attention. Then we prepare and file your eVisitor online with the Department of Home Affairs, using your checked details, and send you the confirmation.
Do I need to show proof of funds or meet character requirements for an Australia ETA?
You do not upload bank statements for an ETA, but you must genuinely intend a short visit and be able to support yourself. You also answer character questions, including any criminal history, and must hold no debts to the Australian government. We review these answers and flag issues that commonly lead to refusal before we file your application.
Can I study in Australia on an ETA?
Short study of up to three months is allowed on an ETA, such as a brief course or workshop alongside a visit. Enrolling in a longer programme or a formal qualification requires a dedicated student visa instead. We flag study intent during the questionnaire and confirm whether your plans fit the ETA.
When should I apply for the Australian ETA?
Apply once your trip is reasonably firm, since the ETA is tied to the passport you book and fly with. The Department of Home Affairs usually decides within 1 to 24 hours, often within minutes, but it is wise to allow a comfortable margin before departure rather than the last day. Peak travel periods can add time. Priority and Urgent tiers exist for short-notice trips.
Australia help desk
Have questions about your ETA? Email the Australia desk and we reply within 24 hours.
australia@visitpass-online.comOther destinations we cover
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Arrival cards
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VisitPass is an independent visa-application service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any government. Government fees go directly to the issuing authority and are listed separately in your receipt.
Verify rules and fees independently at the official portal: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601