601 Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
Purpose	Tourism, visits, business visitor activities
Stay	Up to 3 months per entry
Visa validity	12 months or passport validity
Entries	Multiple entry
Cost	AUD20 app service fee
Apply from	Outside Australia
Grant location	Outside Australia
Eligibility timing	Valid eligible passport required
Work rights	No work permitted
Study	Up to 3 months total
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Health insurance	Recommended; healthcare costs personally payable
Travel facility	Unlimited travel while valid
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Not applicable; separate applications required
Visa record	Digitally linked to passport
Visa label	No passport label issued
Processing	Usually immediate notification
Extension	Cannot extend ETA

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Purpose

The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is a temporary visa for eligible passport holders visiting Australia:

• As a tourist, including holidays and cruises
• To visit family or friends
• As a business visitor

Business visitors may:

• Make business or employment enquiries
• Investigate, negotiate, enter into or review contracts
• Undertake official government-visit activities
• Attend conferences, trade fairs or seminars, if unpaid by organisers

Stay and travel

The ETA is valid for travel for 12 months from grant, or until the passport expires, whichever is earlier.

• Stay up to 3 months on each entry.
• Travel to and from Australia any number of times while valid.
• A round-trip cruise beginning in Australia does not reset the stay period.
• The ETA cannot be extended. Apply for another visa to stay longer.
• Remaining after the ETA ceases without another visa makes you an unlawful non-citizen and may result in removal.

Frequent or lengthy visits may lead to questions about whether you remain a genuine visitor. The ETA may be cancelled if you are not a genuine visitor.

Eligibility

You must:

• Apply and be granted the ETA while outside Australia.
• Hold a valid passport from an eligible country or jurisdiction.
• Intend only a temporary stay.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Have repaid, or arranged repayment of, Australian Government debts owed by you or relevant family members.
• Meet the best-interests-of-the-child requirement if the applicant is under 18.

Australian citizens cannot apply for an ETA, including dual citizens with an ETA-eligible passport.

You cannot use a non-citizen passport, certificate of identity or other travel document, such as a Titre de Voyage.

Eligible passports

Eligible passport holders include citizens or passport holders of:

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.

If you hold more than one passport, declare all other passports in the application.

Health and character

Applicants entering healthcare or hospital environments should apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600). This also applies where an applicant has previously failed the health requirement.

If you have a criminal conviction in any country, apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) and provide evidence of the convictions.

Rights and conditions

Study or training

You may study or train for up to 3 months in total. If study is your main reason for travel, apply for a student visa.

Applicants seeking to:

• Train at a childcare centre
• Study as a doctor, dentist, nurse or paramedic
• Enter healthcare or hospital environments

should apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) and complete relevant health checks.

Work prohibition

The ETA is not a work visa. You must not:

• Work for, or provide services to, an Australian business or organisation
• Undertake paid work for an Australian employer
• Sell goods or services directly to the public

Working, intending to work, or breaching visa conditions may lead to cancellation, removal or refusal of entry.

Obligations

You must obey Australian laws and all visa conditions. Check your specific conditions in your visa grant letter or through VEVO.

Family members

Family members cannot be included in an ETA application. Every family member, including a child listed on your passport, must submit a separate application.

Cost and processing

There is no Visa Application Charge. The Australian ETA app has a AUD20 service fee.

In most cases, notification is immediate. Processing may take longer if:

• Questions are answered incorrectly
• Further information is required
• Information is difficult to verify

Do not make travel arrangements until you receive written confirmation that the ETA has been granted.

Health insurance

Health insurance is recommended. You are personally liable for healthcare costs in Australia. Some countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia.

Documents and application requirements

Apply using the Australian ETA app. You need:

• A valid eligible passport
• Mobile device with camera
• Near-field communication (NFC) enabled
• Location services enabled
• Valid email address
• Valid payment method

The app requires you to:

1. Scan the passport data page.
2. Take a photograph of yourself.
3. Answer questions, including criminal convictions, prior names and Australian contact details.
4. Pay the service fee.
5. Submit the application.

A friend, family member, travel agent or industry representative may help, but you must be physically present. A live facial image is required; the visa will not be granted without one.

Important warnings

• Provide truthful and accurate information, including other passports, previous names, criminal convictions and domestic violence history.
• Incorrect information may result in ETA cancellation.
• ETA details cannot be changed after issue.
• Details must exactly match your passport to avoid boarding delays or refusal of entry.
• If further information is requested, use the link in the letter to submit an online form through ImmiAccount and attach Form 1554: ETA Request for further processing.
• Do not submit further ETA applications through the app after a further-information request; the same result will be received.

Passport and visa record

The ETA is electronically linked to the passport used in the application. You must travel using that passport.

If the passport expires or you obtain a new passport:

• The ETA ceases.
• You must apply for a new ETA.

No visa label is placed in your passport. Use VEVO or the ETA app’s “Visa check” function to check visa status and conditions.