601 ETA visa: requirements and cost

Key facts

How long you can stay: Up to 3 months each time you enter
How long the visa is valid: 12 months, or until the passport expires if sooner; multiple entry
Cost: No visa charge; AUD 20 service fee in the Australian ETA app
Who can apply: Holders of an eligible passport (listed on this page)
Work rights: No work; business visitor activities allowed
Where to apply: Outside Australia, in the Australian ETA app

601 visa requirements

Home Affairs lists these on the Eligibility tab of its Electronic Travel Authority page:

Eligible passport. Hold a valid passport from an eligible country or jurisdiction (listed below). A non-citizen passport, certificate of identity or other travel document can't be used.
Genuine visitor. Intend to stay only temporarily and obey the visa's conditions and stay period.
Health. Meet the health requirement. People who have failed the health requirement before, or who will enter health care or hospital settings, apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) instead.
Character. Meet the character requirement. People with a criminal conviction in any country apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) instead.
Debts. Any debt to the Australian Government has been paid back, or there is an arrangement to pay it.
Best interests of the child. Home Affairs may refuse the visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.

Applicants with more than one passport must declare all of them. Australian citizens can't apply for an ETA, even with an eligible foreign passport.

Eligible passports

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, Republic of San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (excluding official or diplomatic passports), the Netherlands, United Kingdom (British Citizen), United Kingdom (British National Overseas), United States of America and Vatican City.

What the visa lets you do

According to Home Affairs' Electronic Travel Authority page, the visa lets holders travel to Australia:

as a tourist, for example for a holiday or a cruise
to visit family or friends
as a business visitor, to make business or employment enquiries, negotiate or review a contract, take part in an official government visit, or attend a conference, trade fair or seminar (without being paid by the organisers)

Holders can study or train for up to 3 months in total. Home Affairs says people who plan to train at a childcare centre, study to be a doctor, dentist, nurse or paramedic, or enter health care or hospital settings apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) and do the health checks instead.

The ETA is not a work visa. Holders can't do paid work for an Australian employer, work for or provide services to an Australian business, or sell goods or services directly to the public. Home Affairs says working on an ETA can lead to cancellation and removal.

The ETA is multiple entry. It is valid for 12 months or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner, and holders can stay up to 3 months after each entry. It is linked to the passport, so it ends if the holder gets a new passport. It can't be extended.

Family members and cost

Family members can't be included. Each person, including children listed on a parent's passport, makes a separate application. Family members using the same phone can submit and pay for their applications together.

Applicant	Cost
Each applicant	No visa application charge; AUD 20 service fee to use the Australian ETA app

These amounts are on Home Affairs' Electronic Travel Authority page.

Step by step

This follows the Step by step tab of the Electronic Travel Authority page.

Before you apply

Check the passport is valid.
Download the Australian ETA app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Apply

Apply in the app. It needs a phone with a camera, NFC and location services turned on, a valid email address and a way to pay the service fee.
A friend or family member can help, but must be with the applicant. Travel agents can also apply using the app, and must take a live photo of the applicant.
Answer all questions truthfully, including about other passports, other names and any criminal conviction or domestic violence history.

After you apply

Most applicants get a result straight away. Home Affairs says not to arrange travel until the ETA is granted.
If Home Affairs needs more information, it sends a letter explaining how to provide it through ImmiAccount, using Form 1554.

Applying in or outside Australia

Applicants must be outside Australia when they apply and when the ETA is granted (Electronic Travel Authority page). People who can't use the app can apply for another visa in ImmiAccount, such as the free eVisitor (subclass 651) for European passports, or a Visitor visa (subclass 600).

601 visa processing time

Home Affairs publishes current processing times in its visa processing times guide.

Compare: 601, 651 and 600

	601 ETA	651 eVisitor	600 Visitor
Who can apply	Passports from 33 listed countries and jurisdictions (including the USA, Canada, Japan and the UK)	Passports from 36 listed European countries	Any nationality
Cost	No visa charge; AUD 20 app service fee	Free	From AUD 250
Stay	Up to 3 months per entry	Up to 3 months per entry	Usually 3 months, up to 12 months
Validity	12 months, or until the passport expires if sooner	12 months from grant	Set case by case
How to apply	Australian ETA app	ImmiAccount (online)	ImmiAccount
Apply in Australia	No	No	Tourist stream only
Work	No	No	No

Common questions

What is the Australian ETA (subclass 601)?

The Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) is a visa for holders of eligible passports to visit Australia as a tourist, to see family or friends, or as a business visitor. It allows stays of up to 3 months each time the holder enters.

How much does an Australian ETA cost?

There is no visa application charge. Home Affairs says there is a service fee of AUD 20 to use the Australian ETA app.

Which countries are eligible for the Australian ETA?

Home Affairs lists passports from countries including the USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Hong Kong (SAR), Taiwan (not official or diplomatic passports), the UK (British Citizen and British National Overseas) and many European countries. The full list is on this page.

How long is the Australian ETA valid?

It is valid for 12 months, or until the passport expires if that is sooner. It allows multiple entries, with stays of up to 3 months after each entry.

How do I apply for an Australian ETA?

Through the Australian ETA app on a phone with a camera, NFC and location services. Applicants need a valid email address and a way to pay the service fee, and must be outside Australia when they apply and when the ETA is granted.

Can I work in Australia on an ETA?

No. Home Affairs says the ETA is not a work visa, and holders can't do paid work for an Australian employer. Business visitor activities such as meetings, contract negotiations and conferences are allowed.

What is the difference between the ETA and the eVisitor?

Both allow stays of up to 3 months per entry over 12 months. The ETA covers a mix of passports (such as the USA, Canada and Japan) and is applied for in the Australian ETA app for AUD 20. The eVisitor is for European passports and is free.

Can I get an ETA if I have a criminal conviction?

Home Affairs says people with a criminal conviction in any country need to apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) instead, with evidence about their convictions.

Subclass 601 visa: ETA