Australia eTA Information
Comprehensive guide covering the scope, eligibility, validity, and application process for the Australia Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). This information is provided for general guidance; please always verify current regulations with the official Department of Home Affairs.
Overview of the eTA
The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA, subclass 601) is an official digital authorization for eligible passport holders traveling to Australia for tourism or short-term business activities. Introduced in 1996 as the world's first electronic travel framework, the ETA is issued by the Department of Home Affairs and is digitally linked directly to your passport, meaning no physical documents or stamps are required.
This authorization permits multiple entries over its validity period, though it does not grant the right to paid employment or full-time study. Upon approval, travelers receive an email confirmation that should be retained for reference. Please note that while an approved ETA serves as your official travel clearance, final admission is determined by an Australian Border Force officer at the point of entry.
Validity & Permitted Use
| Validity Period | 12 months from grant, or until passport expiry — whichever occurs first |
| Number of Entries | Unlimited during validity period |
| Maximum Stay per Entry | 3 months |
| Modes of Travel | Air and sea (including cruise) |
| Issuing Authority | Department of Home Affairs |
Permitted Activities
- Tourism and visits to family or friends
- Business meetings, conferences, and short-term work-related activities not constituting employment in Australia
- Joining or travelling on a cruise
- Short courses of study not exceeding three months
Activities Not Permitted
The ETA does not permit paid employment or long-term academic study. Travelers intending to work, enroll in a full-time course, or establish long-term residence must secure the appropriate visa before departure.
Eligible Nationalities
The Australia Electronic Travel Authority is available to passport holders from eligible visa-waiver countries. Please confirm your nationality against the active list on the official Department of Home Affairs website before applying.
Exemptions: Australian citizens do not require travel authorization, while New Zealand citizens are automatically issued a Special Category Visa upon arrival rather than applying for an ETA.
Documents & Requirements
To complete an eTA application, the applicant must hold the following at the time of submission:
- A valid passport from an eligible country, valid for the intended period of stay.
- A current email address capable of receiving electronic correspondence.
- A valid payment method for the service fee.
Applicants under the age of 18 must be supported by an application submitted by a parent, legal guardian, or authorised representative. Group applications are not currently supported; each traveller must submit an individual application.
Application Process
The standard process consists of three stages:
- Form completion: The applicant provides biographic details, passport information, contact details, and answers a short series of declarations.
- Lodgement: Our experts thoroughly review and prepare your application. Service eVisa handles all eligibility checks and document verifications, ensuring your subclass 601 submission is completely flawless.
- Decision: Department of Home Affairs issues a decision typically within minutes of submission. Some applications may take several business days where additional information is required. The outcome is sent by email to the address provided in the application.
Tracking an Application
Applicants may check the status of a submitted application at any time using the reference number provided in the acknowledgement email. Status enquiries may also be directed to the Service eVisa support team.
Fees & Service Charges
| Government Charge | No visa application charge; AUD $20 service fee via official app |
| Service eVisa Standard Fee | From USD $42 per applicant |
| Premium Review Service | From USD $79 per applicant |
| Payment Methods Accepted | Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover |
| Currency | Pricing shown in USD; AUD, GBP, and EUR equivalents shown at checkout |
Service eVisa fees include caseworker review, free corrections to any field prior to submission, multilingual support, and document recovery in the event of loss. Government fees are paid in full to Department of Home Affairs and are clearly itemised on the payment page.
Refusal & Appeals
The Department of Home Affairs may refuse an ETA application if the applicant fails to meet eligibility criteria, has a history of Australian immigration breaches, or holds a criminal record. There is no formal right of appeal against an ETA refusal.
If an ETA is not granted, applicants may choose to:
- Lodge a new ETA application that directly addresses the reason for the initial outcome.
- Apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600), which is available to all nationalities and evaluated individually by the Department of Home Affairs.
Where an application submitted through Service eVisa is refused, the service fee, which covers the review and processing carried out on your behalf, is non-refundable. The government fee is also non-refundable.