Australia ETA & eVisitor 2026: Apply in Minutes, Travel in Days

Australia receives millions of international visitors every year, drawn by its extraordinary natural landscapes — from the Great Barrier Reef to the red deserts of the Outback — and by its vibrant, multicultural cities. For citizens of many of the world's most travelled nations, getting permission to visit Australia has never been simpler: the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) and the eVisitor scheme allow eligible passport holders to apply in minutes from their phone or computer and receive approval, in most cases, within hours.

But Australia's streamlined digital visa system can also cause confusion — the ETA and eVisitor are different products, available to different nationalities, through different channels. And if your passport does not qualify for either, the process is significantly more involved. This guide covers everything you need to know about visiting Australia in 2026, from the fastest pathway to the most complex.

ETA (Subclass 601) vs eVisitor (Subclass 651): What Is the Difference?

Australia's Department of Home Affairs operates two distinct electronic visa products for short-term tourist and business visitors. They serve essentially the same purpose — allowing short visits to Australia for tourism, visiting friends and family, or business visitor activities — but they are available to entirely different groups of nationalities and are applied for through different systems.

Australia ETA — Subclass 601

The ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) is designed primarily for passport holders from Asian and Pacific Rim nations, as well as several other key travel partners. It was one of the world's first electronic visas when it launched in 1996 and has been continuously refined since then. Today it costs AUD $20 — a modest service charge that covers the processing infrastructure — and is most easily obtained through the official Australian ETA smartphone app.

eVisitor — Subclass 651

The eVisitor visa is specifically designed for passport holders from European countries — primarily EU and EEA member states — as well as a small number of additional European nations. Crucially, the eVisitor is completely free — there is no application fee whatsoever. It is applied for through the Australian Department of Home Affairs website (ImmiAccount) rather than an app. Processing times are similar to the ETA: typically within a day, often within hours.

Both visas, once granted, are electronically linked to your passport. There is no sticker, stamp, or physical document. Australian border officials verify your visa status electronically when your passport is scanned at the port of entry.

ETA Eligible Countries

The following passport holders are eligible to apply for the Australian ETA (subclass 601):

• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• Canada
• Japan
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Malaysia
• Brunei
• Hong Kong (SAR)
• Taiwan (with a passport containing a National ID number)
• Macau (SAR)

Note that the USA, UK, and Canada — despite being eligible for the ETA — are not eligible for the eVisitor. Citizens of these countries must use the ETA pathway.

eVisitor Eligible Countries

The eVisitor (subclass 651) is available to passport holders from the following countries and territories:

• All European Union member states (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden)
• EEA countries not in the EU: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway
• Switzerland
• Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City

Citizens of these countries pay no fee and apply entirely online through the ImmiAccount portal.

How to Apply for the Australian ETA

There are three ways to apply for an Australian ETA, and the method you choose affects both cost and processing speed:

Method 1: Australian ETA App (Recommended)

The official Australian ETA app, developed by the Department of Home Affairs and available on both iOS and Android, is by far the simplest and fastest way to apply. The process involves:

1. Download the free "Australian ETA" app from the App Store or Google Play
2. Scan your passport using your phone's camera — the app reads the machine-readable zone automatically
3. Take a live selfie for identity verification
4. Pay the AUD $20 service charge using a credit or debit card
5. Submit and wait — most applications are decided within minutes

The app decision is often immediate for straightforward applications. You receive a notification and can view your ETA status directly in the app. The visa is then electronically linked to your passport.

Method 2: ImmiAccount Website

You can also apply through the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount portal at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. This involves creating an account, completing an online form, uploading a passport scan, and paying the fee. Processing through this channel is generally slightly slower than the app — typically a few hours to a day.

Method 3: Through a Travel Agent or Airline

Registered travel agents and many airlines can apply for an ETA on your behalf. Note that agents may charge an additional service fee on top of the AUD $20 government charge — sometimes $20–$50 extra. Only use registered agents, and be cautious of unofficial third-party websites that charge inflated fees for what is a straightforward self-service process.

ETA and eVisitor Costs

The cost structure is simple:

• ETA (subclass 601): AUD $20 service fee — applies regardless of whether you apply through the app, website, or an agent (agents may charge extra on top)
• eVisitor (subclass 651): Completely free — no government charge whatsoever

Be wary of unofficial websites that charge AUD $50–$150 for what should cost AUD $20 or nothing at all. Always apply through official government channels or a verified travel agent.

Processing Times

Both the ETA and eVisitor are designed for fast processing:

• ETA via app: Often minutes; occasionally hours
• ETA via ImmiAccount website: Usually within 24 hours
• eVisitor via ImmiAccount: Usually within 24 hours; sometimes same day

In some cases — typically where additional background checks are required — processing can take several days. The Department of Home Affairs advises applying at least 72 hours before departure to allow time for any delays. Applying a week or two in advance is the most prudent approach, particularly for first-time visitors to Australia.

What the ETA and eVisitor Allow You to Do

Both the ETA and eVisitor offer the same core permissions:

• Tourism and leisure: Sightseeing, visiting friends and family, attending festivals and events
• Business visitor activities: Attending meetings, conferences, negotiations, and training — but not taking up employment or performing work for an Australian employer
• Stay duration: Up to 3 months per visit
• Visa validity: 12 months from the date of grant (not from the date you first enter)
• Entry type: Multiple entry — you can leave and re-enter Australia multiple times within the 12-month validity period, as long as each individual stay does not exceed 3 months

The combination of 12-month validity with multiple entries and 3-month stays per visit makes the ETA and eVisitor extraordinarily flexible for frequent visitors — for example, a UK business traveller who visits Australia quarterly would find a single ETA covers all four visits.

What the ETA and eVisitor Do NOT Allow

There are important limitations on both visas that travellers must understand:

• No working for pay: You cannot take up employment, work for an Australian employer, or earn income from Australian sources. This is a serious condition — working illegally on a tourist visa can result in deportation and a ban from future entry.
• No study beyond 3 months: You can study for courses of up to 3 months in duration. If you intend to study for longer, you need a Student visa (subclass 500).
• No certain medical treatments: If you intend to visit Australia primarily for medical treatment — particularly treatment that requires an extended stay — you should apply for a Medical Treatment visa instead.
• No extension: Once granted, the ETA and eVisitor cannot be extended. If you wish to stay longer than 3 months in a single visit, you would need to depart and re-enter (subject to the 12-month validity) or apply for a different visa.

If Your Country Doesn't Qualify: The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)

Citizens of countries not eligible for the ETA or eVisitor — including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, most of the Middle East, most of Africa, and most of Latin America — must apply for the Visitor visa, subclass 600.

The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is a full visa application with significantly different requirements, costs, and processing times:

• Application fee: AUD $150 (as of 2026 — verify current fee on the Home Affairs website)
• Processing time: Typically 20–35 days for tourist stream applications from most countries, though this can vary significantly
• Application channel: Online through ImmiAccount or through a registered migration agent
• Documentation required: Passport, photographs, financial evidence (bank statements), employment evidence, proof of ties to home country (property ownership, family, employment), travel history, travel insurance, and in some cases a letter of invitation from an Australian host

The Visitor visa (600) offers more flexibility in some respects — it can be granted for stays of up to 12 months (in some circumstances) and can be issued as a multiple-entry visa. However, it requires substantially more documentation and preparation time.

Working with a professional visa consultancy for a subclass 600 application is strongly recommended, particularly for first-time applicants or those with complex circumstances (previous visa refusals, gaps in travel history, etc.).

Common Issues and Reasons for ETA Refusal

While ETA and eVisitor approvals are straightforward for the vast majority of applicants, rejections do occur. The most common reasons include:

Character Issues

Australia has one of the world's most stringent character requirements for visa entry. A criminal record — including relatively minor offences — can result in ETA refusal. Australia uses a "character test" that considers whether an applicant has a substantial criminal record, including sentences of 12 months or more. Even applicants who have never been to Australia can be assessed against publicly available information.

Health Requirements

While ETA applicants typically do not need to undergo a medical examination upfront, Australia reserves the right to require a health examination if there are indicators of a potential public health concern. Applicants with certain health conditions may find their application subject to additional scrutiny.

Previous Immigration Violations

If you have previously overstayed a visa in Australia or any other country, been deported, or been refused a visa by Australia or certain other countries, this significantly affects your ETA eligibility. Australia shares immigration data with several partner countries including the USA, UK, Canada, and New Zealand under information-sharing agreements.

Incomplete or Inaccurate Information

Providing false information in a visa application — even a minor inaccuracy — is grounds for refusal and can result in a multi-year ban. Always ensure the information you provide exactly matches your passport and travel documents.

If your ETA is refused, you are not automatically ineligible to visit Australia — you can apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) through ImmiAccount and provide additional supporting documentation to explain your circumstances. A registered migration agent can assist with this process.