Australia ETA: Eligibility, Official App and Application Steps
An ETA is only one of Australia’s visitor permissions. Check what applies to your passport first, then use this visual walkthrough if the official result directs you to the AustralianETA app.
First check which visa applies to your passport
Do not start an ETA application simply because you are taking a short holiday. Your passport, nationality, purpose of travel, length of stay and personal circumstances determine the permission you need.
Begin with the Department of Home Affairs Explore visa options for visiting tool. Read the full eligibility and conditions for the result before applying or paying anyone.
| Common visitor permission | Who should investigate it | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
| ETA (subclass 601) | Eligible passport holders visiting short term | Official AustralianETA mobile app |
| eVisitor (subclass 651) | Eligible European passport holders outside Australia | Home Affairs online service |
| Visitor visa (subclass 600) | Travellers not eligible for an ETA or eVisitor, or whose circumstances require it | ImmiAccount |
The eVisitor and Visitor visa are different applications. This article does not replace individual immigration advice.
What an ETA allows
An Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) is electronically linked to an eligible traveller’s passport. Home Affairs describes it as allowing tourism or business visitor travel as often as permitted during a 12-month period, normally for up to three months on each visit.
- It is for eligible passport holders, not every nationality
- It does not permit ordinary paid work in Australia
- Each traveller needs a separate application
- You must travel with the passport linked to the grant
- The conditions shown in the individual grant remain decisive
If your passport changes, check Home Affairs instructions before travel. Do not assume an authority linked to the old passport transfers automatically.
What to prepare for the official app
If the visa finder confirms that you can apply for an ETA, prepare the passport you will use for travel, an NFC-capable smartphone, an email address, a payment card and details about the purpose of your visit and contact information in Australia.
The genuine app is published by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. Download AustralianETA for iPhone or AustralianETA for Android. Check the developer name before entering passport or payment details.
The official app currently states that it charges a non-refundable AUD20 service fee for each application. Confirm the amount in the app because fees and processes can change.
AustralianETA app walkthrough
These screens show the official app process. Exact wording and order may change after an update, so follow the instructions displayed on your own device.
Open the app and start a new ETA
Confirm that the app identifies itself as AustralianETA and read the privacy and consent information before continuing.
Choose the option to apply for a new ETA. The application must be completed for the person whose passport and face are being verified.
Keep the traveller and their physical passport together. A saved photo or photocopy cannot complete the chip-reading and live identity steps.
Scan the passport details
Use the camera to scan the passport information page. Avoid glare, keep all edges visible and make sure the characters can be read before accepting the result.
The app then reads the electronic chip by NFC. Remove a thick phone or passport cover if the chip is not detected, and hold the phone still in the position shown.
Review the extracted name, passport number, nationality and expiry date character by character. An incorrect passport number can prevent the airline from finding the authority.
Complete the identity and eligibility questions
Follow the live-photo instructions and answer the personal, contact, travel-purpose and eligibility questions truthfully. If the app asks for further information, respond through the official channel it specifies.
Before payment, recheck the applicant and passport details. Do not submit a second application merely because the first one is not granted immediately.
The AUD20 shown here is the app service fee. A payment receipt is not the same as an ETA grant.
Wait for the written outcome
After submission, check the application status and the email address you supplied. Do not treat an in-progress screen as permission to travel.
Keep the written grant accessible and confirm the name and passport details. Home Affairs and the app advise applying well ahead of travel and not making travel arrangements until the ETA has been granted.
Need help with the passport scan?
The official Google Play listing links to English support videos for scanning the passport, reading the chip and taking a live photo. Use those AustralianETA support resources rather than an unofficial paid application service.
When to apply and what can delay an outcome
Apply well before departure. Some applications are decided quickly, while others require further information or a different visa application. A friend’s processing time does not predict yours.
- Use the passport you will carry on the trip
- Enter names and passport numbers exactly as printed
- Use a clear passport scan and complete the live photo yourself
- Monitor the email address used in the application
- Do not book non-refundable travel before the required permission is granted
If the app cannot complete an identity step, use its official help resources. Immigration agents and commercial application sites may charge more and cannot guarantee a grant.
Transit passengers also need to check the rules
Changing planes in Australia does not automatically remove the visa question. Some eligible travellers can transit without a visa only when all conditions are met, including departing by air within eight hours and not clearing immigration or leaving the transit lounge.
If you must collect baggage, change to a flight that requires immigration, leave the airport or stay longer, a suitable visa may be required. Check the Home Affairs Transit Without a Visa conditions against your passport and itinerary.
Prepare the separate arrival declaration
An ETA or visa is permission to travel; it does not replace Australia’s arrival declaration. Save your first accommodation address and review the food, medicine and biosecurity questions before flying.
Frequently asked questions
Does every visitor to Australia need an ETA?
No. Use the Home Affairs visa finder because the correct permission depends on your passport, purpose and circumstances.
How much does the AustralianETA app cost?
The official app currently states that each application has a non-refundable AUD20 service fee. Check the amount displayed before payment.
How long can I visit with an ETA?
Home Affairs describes visits of up to three months at a time during a 12-month period. Your grant and its conditions are the final authority.
Does a child need a separate ETA?
Yes, when the child is ETA-eligible. Each traveller needs a separate application and must complete the required identity steps.
Should I print my ETA?
It is linked electronically to the passport. Keep the grant email accessible and travel with the passport used for the application.
Summary
Start with the Home Affairs visa finder, not the ETA app. If your passport is eligible for an ETA, use only the official AustralianETA app and check every passport detail before submitting.
Apply well ahead of departure, wait for the written grant and remember that the arrival declaration is a separate step.
