Australian visas, the ETA and eVisitor explained

Australia requires almost every non-citizen to hold a valid visa before they travel. For tourists, the right visa usually depends on your passport. This guide explains the main options in plain English. It is a summary, not legal advice. The Department of Home Affairs is the only authoritative source, and its rules can change.

The main visitor visas at a glance

Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)

The ETA is an electronic visa for passport holders from a list of eligible countries and regions. It lets you visit Australia for tourism or business visitor activities, such as attending a conference or making general business enquiries.

How to apply: download the AustralianETA app and apply on your phone. The app reads your passport and takes a photo of your face. Home Affairs does not charge a visa application fee for the ETA, but there is a non-refundable AUD20 service charge for using the app.

How it works: an ETA is linked electronically to your passport, so you do not get a label in it. Under the current conditions, an ETA lets you make multiple visits within its validity period, with each stay limited. Check the length of stay and validity on the Home Affairs page before you plan a long trip.

Timing: many applications are processed quickly, but some take longer. Home Affairs advises applying well before you travel and not making travel arrangements until your visa is granted.

eVisitor (subclass 651)

The eVisitor is a free visa for passport holders from many European countries, including EU member states and the United Kingdom. Like the ETA, it covers tourism and business visitor activities and allows multiple visits within its validity period.

How to apply: online through ImmiAccount on the Home Affairs website. There is no application charge. Make sure you are on the official government website, as some commercial sites mimic the look of an official service.

Visitor visa (subclass 600)

If your passport is not eligible for an ETA or eVisitor, or you want to stay longer than those visas allow, you may need a Visitor visa (subclass 600). It has several streams, including Tourist, Business Visitor, Sponsored Family and Approved Destination Status. Fees, processing times and evidence requirements differ by stream, so read the Home Affairs page carefully.

New Zealand citizens

New Zealand citizens with a valid New Zealand passport can usually apply for a Special Category visa (subclass 444) when they arrive in Australia, provided they meet health and character requirements. You do not normally need to apply before you travel. Permanent residents of New Zealand who are not citizens need a different visa.

Eligibility and conditions

All visitor visas come with conditions. Common ones include:

• No work: you cannot work for an Australian employer or sell goods or services to the public.
• Length of stay: each visit is limited to the period granted.
• Health and character: you must meet health and character requirements, and may be asked to declare convictions.
• Genuine visitor: you must intend to visit temporarily.

Breaching visa conditions can lead to cancellation and affect future applications.

Working holidays and study

If you want to work while travelling, look at the Working Holiday (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visas, available to young people from partner countries. Studying for more than a short course generally requires a Student visa. These are outside the scope of this guide, but the Home Affairs visa finder will point you in the right direction.

Arriving in Australia

When you arrive, you will pass through immigration and biosecurity. Australia has strict biosecurity laws to protect its agriculture and environment. You must declare certain food, plant material, animal products and other items. Undeclared items can lead to fines, so if in doubt, declare it. The Australian Border Force website explains what you can bring in, along with duty-free allowances for alcohol and tobacco.

Carry evidence of your onward or return travel and enough funds for your stay, in case you are asked.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Using an unofficial website. Search results often show agencies charging much more than the official fee. Go directly to the AustralianETA app or the Home Affairs site.
2. Booking before your visa is granted. Wait for the grant, especially if your circumstances are complicated.
3. Passport details errors. Your visa is linked to your passport number. A typo can mean you cannot board.
4. Renewing your passport. If you get a new passport, your visa does not automatically transfer. Check what you need to do.
5. Overstaying. Know when your permitted stay ends.

Travel insurance

Australia does not require visitors on these visas to hold travel insurance, but medical care in Australia can be expensive for visitors. Some countries have reciprocal health care agreements with Australia, but these often cover only medically necessary treatment in public hospitals. Read our travel insurance guide.

Next steps

Once your visa is sorted, decide when to go and how you will get around. If you plan to drive, read our guide to driving in Australia.