Australia ETA & eVisitor: Cost, Eligibility, How to Apply

Quick answer: Almost every visitor needs permission before flying to Australia. US, Canadian, Japanese, Singaporean, South Korean, Malaysian and some other passport holders use the ETA (subclass 601), applied for only through the official AustralianETA app for an A$20 service fee. Citizens of the EU, UK and other European countries can apply online for a free eVisitor (subclass 651). Both allow stays of up to 3 months per visit over 12 months. New Zealand citizens don’t need either.

ETA vs eVisitor

	ETA (subclass 601)	eVisitor (subclass 651)
Who	USA, Canada, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Brunei, Hong Kong (SAR), Taiwan, plus many European countries and the UK	EU countries, UK (British citizens), Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and other European countries
Cost	A$20 app service fee	Free
How to apply	AustralianETA app only	Online through ImmiAccount
Validity	12 months, multiple entries	12 months, multiple entries
Stay per visit	Up to 3 months	Up to 3 months
Processing	Often within minutes, sometimes longer	Usually within 1–2 days

Many European passport holders (including British citizens) are eligible for both. The eVisitor is free, so it is usually the better choice. Always check your nationality on the official Department of Home Affairs site.

How to apply for the ETA

Download the official AustralianETA app (from the Apple App Store or Google Play).
Scan the data page of your passport and read its chip with your phone’s NFC.
Take a live selfie in the app.
Answer the health and character questions.
Pay the A$20 service fee and submit.

You can apply for family members on the same phone, each with their own application. The ETA is linked electronically to your passport, so there is no paper to print.

How to apply for the eVisitor

Create a free ImmiAccount on the Home Affairs website.
Choose New application, then eVisitor (651).
Enter your passport and personal details and submit. There is no fee.

Avoid fake ETA websites

Many websites charge A$60–150 to “process” an ETA. You don’t need them: the only official ways are the AustralianETA app (ETA) and ImmiAccount (eVisitor). Ignore ads that look official.

If you’re not eligible

Travellers from countries not on either list, or with certain criminal convictions, apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) online. It costs more and can take weeks, so apply well before booking non-refundable trips.

Arriving in Australia

Australia has strict biosecurity rules. Declare all food, plant and animal products; fines for undeclared items are high.
Many travellers can use SmartGate (automated passport gates) at major airports.
You need travel insurance: Australian public healthcare isn’t free for most visitors.

Planning your trip? See our Melbourne travel guide and Sydney travel guide.

More Melbourne guides

FAQ: Australia ETA and eVisitor

Do US citizens need a visa for Australia?

Yes: an ETA, applied for in the AustralianETA app for A$20. It usually takes minutes.

Do UK citizens need an ETA for Australia?

British citizens can choose a free eVisitor or a paid ETA. The eVisitor is free, so most people use it.

How long before travel should I apply?

Most are approved within a day, but apply at least a week ahead to be safe, and before booking if you have any doubts.

Can I work on an ETA or eVisitor?

No. Both are for tourism and business visits only. Working holiday makers need a separate visa.

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Australia ETA and eVisitor: Who Needs What, Cost and How to Apply