Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)

What this visa is for#

The Electronic Travel Authority, subclass 601, is a visitor visa in the Visitor stream. It is for short visits to Australia by eligible passport holders. It is applied for through an app, and it involves a small service charge.

This visa is commonly used for tourism, visiting family or friends, and some short business visitor activities. Business visitor activities can include things like attending meetings, conferences or exploratory business visits. It is not described as a work visa.

The ETA is designed to be a simpler digital process for passport holders from countries and regions the Australian Government has made eligible for this visa product. The application is linked to the applicant's passport, so passport details need to be correct and current at the time of lodgement.

Who it is generally for#

This visa is for people who hold a passport from an ETA-eligible country or region and want to travel to Australia as a visitor. This includes people travelling for holidays, family visits or short business visitor activities.

This visa is also for people who need a visitor visa product that is applied for by app rather than by a standard paper form. The ETA sits within the visitor category, so it is used for temporary visits rather than permanent stay.

This visa is for people who need a visa linked to their passport before travelling. Airline boarding systems and border processing rely on passport details matching the visa record, so the visa exists for travellers whose entry permission is handled electronically.

What it costs#

The government charge listed here is:

• Main applicant: $20
• Additional applicant 18 or over: $20
• Additional applicant under 18: $20

This amount is the government charge for the ETA application process set out for this page. The government charge is the same no matter who lodges it, whether the applicant lodges it personally, or a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner assists with the process.

A migration agent or lawyer may charge a separate professional fee for their time. That professional fee is not a government charge, and it can vary depending on the provider and the work involved. On VisaBid, quotes can be compared side by side so the service and price are easier to see.

Government visa charges are indexed and usually change on 1 July. The figure on this page reflects the data provided above, but applicants often check the current amount again before lodging.

How long it takes#

Processing times can vary. For some ETA applications, a decision can be made quickly through the app-based system. In other cases, processing can take longer if the application needs further checks.

Timeframes can be affected by identity matching, passport issues, name differences across documents, or requests for more information. Peak travel periods can also cause delays, especially where large numbers of visitor applications are being handled at once.

A practical point is to avoid leaving the application until the day of travel. Even a visa type known for a digital process can be delayed if the app cannot verify details, if a passport has changed, or if the Department needs extra review.

What the process involves#

The ETA is applied for through the approved app. The application usually involves entering passport details, personal details and travel-related information, then paying the service charge shown for this visa.

Because the ETA is linked electronically to the passport, the details entered need to match the passport exactly. This includes full name, date of birth, passport number, nationality and passport expiry date. A small typing error can cause delays or an unusable visa record.

The app process may involve identity steps such as scanning the passport or using the phone camera. The app may also ask standard visitor questions. In some cases, the application moves through quickly. In other cases, the Department may need more time or may ask for further information.

If a new passport is issued after lodgement, the visa record may no longer match the travel document being used. Travellers often check well before departure that the passport they plan to carry is the same one linked to the ETA.

If a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner helps with the process, their role is separate from the government's charge and decision-making. They do not control processing times or the outcome, but they can handle the application steps within the limits of their registration or practising certificate.

What commonly goes wrong#

One common problem is entering passport details incorrectly. The ETA is electronic and linked to the passport, so mistakes with the passport number, issue country, full name or expiry date can stop the visa record matching properly. This can create trouble at check-in or when trying to board a flight.

Another issue is using a passport that expires soon, or replacing the passport after the ETA is granted. If a document expires mid-process, or a new passport is issued, the traveller may need to deal with the mismatch before travel. It is important to keep the travel document current and consistent with the visa record.

Incomplete information can also cause delays. Even for a simple digital visitor process, unanswered questions, inconsistent dates, or identity details that do not line up across records can lead to extra checks. If the Department asks for more information, delays often grow when the response is late or incomplete.

People also run into problems when personal details change and the Department is not told. A change of address, contact details or passport details can matter during processing. If notices go to an old email address or the Department cannot match new identity details to the original application, the process can stall.

Travel timing is another practical problem. Some people assume an ETA will always be approved instantly because it is applied for in an app. That assumption can lead to missed flights or expensive rebooking costs when an application is delayed for review.

There is also confusion between visa conditions and travel plans. A visitor visa is for visiting, and travellers sometimes book activities that do not fit the purpose of a visitor stay. Where there is any uncertainty about how planned activities fit within a visa's permitted use, people often seek personalised legal or migration assistance from a properly authorised professional.

Another frequent mistake is assuming any bridging visa carries the same rights as the substantive visa held before. That is not how bridging visas work. Bridging visa conditions depend on the specific grant and can differ on work rights, travel rights and length of stay.

Technical issues can cause trouble too. App-based applications can fail if the phone camera will not scan the passport properly, if the app version is out of date, or if the internet connection drops during payment or submission. Keeping screenshots, payment records and reference numbers can help when checking what was actually lodged.

Frequently asked questions#

What is an ETA subclass 601?#

The ETA, subclass 601, is an Australian visitor visa in the Visitor stream. It is for eligible passport holders and is applied for through an app with a small service charge.

How much does an ETA for Australia cost?#

The charge listed on this page is $20 for the main applicant, $20 for an additional applicant aged 18 or over, and $20 for an additional applicant under 18. A migration agent or lawyer may also charge a separate professional fee, but that fee is not the government charge.

Can I apply for an Australian ETA online?#

This visa is described here as applied via app. The process is designed to be completed through the approved ETA application app rather than a standard paper application route.

How long does an ETA 601 take to process?#

Processing times vary. Some applications move quickly, while others take longer if identity details need checking or if the Department asks for more information.

What happens if I get a new passport after my ETA is granted?#

The ETA is linked to the passport used in the application. If a new passport is issued, the visa record may not match the passport used for travel, and that can cause problems at airline check-in or border processing.

About this page. This is general information about how the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (subclass 601) works. It is not immigration assistance and it is not advice about your situation. Under section 280 of the Migration Act 1958 only a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner can give you that. Charges are indexed and most change on 1 July, so check any figure against immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you rely on it, and check any agent's registration on the OMARA register.