Electronic travel authorization for Australia: documents, fees and steps

Documents requested

Valid passport from a country or territory eligible for the ETAConditions and details
The page lists: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong (SAR of China), Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (excluding official or diplomatic passports), the Netherlands, the United Kingdom (British Citizen and British National (Overseas)), the United States and Vatican City. A non-citizen passport, a certificate of identity or another travel document (including the Titre de Voyage) does not allow applying for the ETA. The ETA is electronically linked to the passport used for the application: you must enter Australia with that same passport; if it expires or is replaced, the ETA ceases and a new application is required. An Australian citizen cannot apply for an ETA.
Application submitted in the Australian ETA app, one per personConditions and details
The holder of an eligible passport must use the Australian ETA app. Family members, including those listed on the passport, each submit an application; from the same device, applications can be submitted and paid together. A friend, relative, authorised travel agent or industry representative can submit the application via the app, but the applicant must be physically present.
Photo of the face taken live in the appConditions and details
The applicant takes their own photo in the app. When an industry representative submits the application, they must take a live facial image of the applicant: without a live image, the visa is not granted.

Depending on your situation

Details of other passports heldOnly if you hold more than one passport: you must declare this in the ETA application and provide the details of the other passports.
Form 1554 (ETA Request for further processing) and supporting documents, only upon written request from the departmentConditions and details
If the application cannot be processed or approved without additional information, the department sends a letter. You must then use the link in the letter to fill in an online form in ImmiAccount, answer all the questions, attach the requested documents and Form 1554. You must not submit a new ETA application in the app.

Official fees

Service fee for the Australian ETA application (no visa charge — Visa Application Charge — is due) 20 AUD

Steps

Check that you hold a valid passport from an eligible country or territory and that you are outside Australia.
Download the Australian ETA app free of charge (Apple Store or Google Play) and watch the ETA and AIA video guides.
Prepare a mobile device with a camera, NFC and location enabled, a valid email address and a means of payment.
In the app, scan the passport, take your photo and answer the questions (other passports, other names, criminal convictions or domestic violence, contact details in Australia).
Check the name, date of birth and answers before submitting: the details of an issued ETA can no longer be changed.
Pay the service fee in the app and submit the application.
Wait for the written notification (often immediate; also check the spam folder) before organising the trip.
Receive the written decision (grant number, start date, conditions) and keep a copy in Australia; a refusal is reasoned and states any possible right of review.
If the department requests additional information: follow the link in its letter to the online form in ImmiAccount, without submitting another application in the app.
Enter Australia with the passport used for the application and complete the Incoming Passenger Card on arrival.

Where to apply

Australian ETA mobile application of the Department of Home Affairs (Apple Store, Google Play), from outside Australia.
By a friend, a relative, an authorised travel agent or an industry representative via the application, with the applicant physically present.
ImmiAccount, only to respond to a request for additional processing from the department.

Good to know

European passports: eVisitor possibleConditions and details
Holders of a European passport may be eligible for the eVisitor (subclass 651), for which the application is free of charge. A person who cannot use the app may apply for another suitable visa in ImmiAccount; other passports may be eligible for the visitor visa (subclass 600).
Validity and multiple entriesConditions and details
The ETA is valid for 12 months or until the passport expires if that occurs earlier, with multiple entries; each stay is limited to 3 months after entry. It cannot be extended: to stay longer, you must apply for another visa. Staying after the end of the ETA without another visa makes the person an “unlawful non-citizen”, who may be removed.
Criminal convictionConditions and details
In the event of a criminal conviction in a country, the ministry will need additional information: the page advises applying for the visitor visa (subclass 600) by providing evidence relating to the convictions. An ETA obtained on the basis of inaccurate information may be cancelled.
Health requirementConditions and details
The ministry's health requirement must be met. A person who did not meet it in a previous application, or who wants to train in a childcare centre, study to become a doctor, dentist, nurse or ambulance officer, or enter a care or hospital setting, must apply for the visitor visa (subclass 600).
Genuine visitorConditions and details
You must intend only a temporary stay and comply with the conditions and duration attached to the visa. In the case of long stays or frequent visits, the purpose of travel may be requested on the next entry, and the ETA may be cancelled if the person is not a genuine visitor.
No workConditions and details
The ETA is not a work visa: no paid work for an Australian employer; it may be cancelled in the event of work or an intention to work. Business visitor activities are limited (enquiries, contract negotiation, official visit, unpaid conference). Study or training: 3 months in total at most.
Health insuranceConditions and details
The department recommends health insurance covering unforeseen care: the traveller personally bears all their health costs in Australia. Some countries have a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia.
Round-trip cruiseConditions and details
A visa is required to enter Australia during a cruise. Time spent on a round-trip cruise departing from Australia counts as time spent in Australia and does not reset the length of stay.
Other visa heldWith another visa currently valid, entry is on that other visa and the ETA takes effect when it ends; the ETA's 3-month stay period nonetheless begins on entry into Australia.
Proof of your visaConditions and details
The ETA is linked electronically to the passport, with no vignette. Its conditions and status can be consulted in VEVO, in the grant letter or with the "Visa check" function of the application.

Nationalities covered

This procedure applies to 33 nationalities.

Andorra
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Canada
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
United Kingdom
United States
Vatican City

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