Australia ETA
Everything you need for your Australia ETA: requirements, processing times and answers to the most common questions.
Official Australia government portal- Validity
- 1 year
- Maximum stay
- 3 months per entry
- Entry type
- Multiple
Overview
The Electronic Travel Authority, or ETA, is Australia's digital travel permit for short visits under visitor subclass 601. 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 the eligible passport countries, which include the European Union, the United States, Canada, Japan, Singapore and others, may apply provided their passport is valid. 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, before you submit through the official AustralianETA app.
Australia ETA questions
How long does the Australian ETA take?
Australian Department of Home Affairs typically issues ETAs within 24 hours of submission through the official AustralianETA app. Some are decided within minutes. Our role is to review your eligibility and documentation against current DHA rules BEFORE you submit via the official app, 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. It covers the Australian government fee for the ETA (subclass 601), paid to the Department of Home Affairs, and our service running the eligibility and document review against current rules before you submit through the official app; the government portion is itemised on your receipt. The government fee is non-refundable; our service fee is refunded in most denial scenarios outside your control. Because many European travellers use the free eVisitor while others pay the ETA fee, the government fee depends on your nationality, so the amount on your receipt may be adjusted.
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. The government fee is non-refundable. 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?
No. The Australian Department of Home Affairs only accepts submissions through its official AustralianETA app. We check your eligibility and review your documents against current rules first, so your own app submission goes smoothly.
What is an Australian ETA?
An ETA is the Electronic Travel Authority, Australia's digital permit for short visits under subclass 601. 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 check your itinerary against current rules 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 you lodge through the official app.
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. Because the ETA is lodged only through the official AustralianETA app, you make the final submission yourself, using our checked details and clear guidance.
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 you submit.
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. Rush and Super Rush tiers exist for short-notice trips.
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Have questions about your ETA? Email the Australia desk and we reply within 24 hours.
australia@visitpass-online.com