Australia ETA Subclass 601 Explained

An Australian Electronic Travel Authorization is a legal permission granted to citizens of eligible foreign nations to visit the country for tourism and business-related activities. The application for this visa is an easy, straightforward, and completely online process. Here’s what everyone who is interested in applying for an Australia ETA needs to know.

What is the Australia ETA?

The visa is an electronically-generated travel authorization issued to foreigners from eligible countries for short-term visits.

The visa allows travelers to visit the country as a tourist, go on a cruise holiday, and attend business meetings, seminars, and conferences. In most cases, the visitors can stay in the country for three months at a time. The Australian foreign ministry also grants permission to stay in the country with this visa for six and 12 months in special circumstances.

The officers at the consulates and embassies will take the final decision in this regard based on the purpose of the trip and the nationality of the applicants.

Who is Eligible?

At present, passport holders from 34 countries can apply for an ETA to Australia. Citizens of the following countries can apply for it through the official visa app of the Australian government.

• 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
• Vatican City

What is It Good for?

An Australian ETA is the easiest way for foreigners from eligible countries to travel to the country as a tourist. They can also visit their family and friends there.

Travelers with this visa can take up courses in various Australian universities. The training should not exceed three months. Note that those who wish to get training in childcare centers, medicine, healthcare, or hospital environment cannot come on this visa. They have to apply for an Australian Visitor Visa (600) and complete all the medical checks required for it. Foreigners who come to Australia on a cruise can get this visa. 

If the cruise is a round-trip cruise, the time they spent onboard the ship will also be included in the visa period. Make sure that the visa validity period covers the entire cruise trip. An Australian ETA also permits nationals of the entitled countries to travel to the country on a business trip. They can take part in business meetings, conferences, and seminars; conduct employment inquiries and enter into a business contracts. However, the organizers of the business meetings cannot make payments for the visitors’ stay. 

Foreigners also cannot engage in paid employment and provide services to a venture registered in Australia. They cannot sell services or products to Australian citizens when they are in the country on an ETA.

Australian ETA VS eVisitor

The main difference between the ETA and the Australia eVisitor is the place where travelers can apply for them, how much it cost, and who is eligible. At present, the Australian ETA can be applied through the Australian government’s mobile application only and travel agents across eligible countries can help the applicants with the process. They may charge a small fee.

The Australian eVisitor application can be made by creating an ImmiAccount on the official website of the Australian government. Both visa types allow citizens of eligible nations to visit the country for up to three months.

How to Apply for an Australia ETA?

International travelers eligible for an ETA can apply through the official app of the Australian government. At present, the application can be made only through this app. 

Foreigners can apply for this visa from outside Australia. They have to be in a foreign land when the visa is issued.

They can also apply from the immigration counter and have to remain at the counter until the visa is delivered.

Before Applying

Applicants need to download the app.  

They have to ensure that the passport has enough validity. They also need to take a photograph of themselves. They are also required to scan the passport chip using the device and scan and upload all the documents to the app.

After Applying

Usually, the visa is granted within minutes. If the visa application is delayed, the applicant will be informed. Generally, the delay will be a result of incorrect information in the application or the immigration officials needing more information. 

The Australia ETA visa will be electronically attached to the passport. If the passport validity expired before the visa validity, it is advised to get a new passport before applying for an Australian ETA.

If the visa is approved, Australian immigration will send written advice to the registered email within minutes of receiving the visa application. The email will have the visa grant number, the date from which the visa is valid, and the visa conditions. The visa will not be approved if it does not suit the purpose of the trip. In some cases, the applicant may be asked to submit additional information.

In case the visa is refused, the Australian embassy will let the applicant know the reasons for the refusal and if he/she can seek a review.

How Long Can I Stay in Australia with the ETA?

This visa is issued for a maximum period of 12 months. Travelers with a visa can visit the country multiple times during the validity period. However, for one visit, they can remain in Australia for up to three months only.

International travelers who wish to stay in the country for more than three months at a stretch have to apply for other visas. The Australian ETA does not serve its purpose. Frequent travelers may have to face additional inquiries from the immigration officers or the embassy staff. 

This is to ascertain the purpose of their visit. If they are found to be not a genuine visitor, their ETA may be canceled.

How to Extend the Australian ETA Validity?

The validity period of an Australia ETA cannot be extended. Foreigners have to leave the country when the permitted stay is over. If they want to visit Australia again, they can apply for a visa again.

The visa validity period starts on the day it was issued.  

Members of a maritime crew who have a maritime crew visa can also apply for the Australian ETA. Their electronic visa will be valid from the date on which it was issued. They can hold both visas at the same time and can stay in Australia till the validity of both visas expires.

If a foreigner has both the ETA and one of the other Australian visas, the ETA will come into effect when the other visa’s validity ends. He/she will be allowed to enter with the substantive visa, not the ETA.

Health Requirements

Travelers coming on an Australia ETA are completely liable for their medical expenses in the country. They are encouraged to get health insurance before traveling to Australia. They have to undergo medical checks approved by hospitals to prove that they do not have any active communicable diseases.

Character Requirements

Foreigners with criminal inadmissibility cannot apply for the ETA. They have to apply for visitor visa subclass 600 and show proof of their convictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for the ETA to be processed?

In most instances, travelers will be notified of the result of their application within minutes. However, some applications may require additional processing. If their ETA is approved, they will receive a confirmation number for their records.

They should patiently await a decision. It’s advised not to make any arrangements for travel to Australia until they are informed that their ETA has been granted.

I already hold a current ETA. Will this new application replace the existing Australia ETA?

If one is granted an ETA, any other visas that they hold could be affected. The Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) has replaced the previous system.

• Electronic Travel Authority (Visitor) (subclass 976).
• Electronic Travel Authority (Business Entrant-Short Validity) (subclass 977).
• Electronic Travel Authority (Business Entrant-Long Validity) (subclass 956).

If an individual holds one of these ETAs, it will remain valid until the date given when it was granted. If they are granted a new ETA for Australia, the earlier one will expire, and the new one will become valid as soon as it is granted.

Who is eligible for the Australia ETA visa?

Individuals traveling to Australia for tourism or business purposes can apply for an ETA if they hold an eligible passport. Tourist activities such as recreation, holidays, or visiting family and friends are allowed, while short-term paid work does not fall under business activities. Only citizens with passports from eligible countries, including Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States of America, can apply for an ETA. Those with non-citizen passports or other travel documents, such as a Certificate of Identity, are not eligible to apply.

I was approved an ETA, but was granted a new passport. Do I need to apply again?

If a person is traveling with a new passport, they will need to apply again for a new ETA for Australia.

What travel documents are needed to enter Australia with the ETA?

Travelers are required to bring a valid passport with them when they travel. It is important to remember to take the passport that was used to complete the ETA application to avoid confusion with other passports, such as expired ones.

Do I need to print up the Australian ETA?

In traveling to Australia, there is no need for an individual to print their ETA on a paper document. Instead, the ETA is linked digitally to their passport. By simply scanning the passport at the airport, all the necessary details will come up, making the process a straightforward one that saves time for everyone involved.

How long is the ETA for Australia valid?

The ETA grants multiple entries and is valid for a year, which implies that an individual can visit Australia as many times as they want within 365 days. Once the one-year validity period expires, the individual will need to apply for another ETA to visit Australia.

Can I visit Australia for business with ETA?

One may visit Australia for business purposes, provided that the activities are solely related to business and not for personal profit. The ETA regulation prohibits conducting business and receiving payments in Australia. However, attending business meetings and conferences is permissible. If an individual attends a business training session, the duration must not surpass 90 days.

Can I use the ETA for transit through Australia?

The Australian ETA does not permit transit through Australia and is exclusively for tourism and business purposes. For individuals who require a transit visa to travel through Australia, they must apply for a transit visa subclass 771.

I made a mistake in my ETA application. Can I fix it?

If an individual makes a mistake when applying for the Australian ETA, there is nothing that can be done about it. Such a mistake cannot be amended or corrected. Instead, it is advisable for the individual to start a new application immediately. This is why applicants are usually advised to double-check the information they are submitting in their applications.

I would like to work in Australia. Can I use the ETA for this?

It is not possible for an individual with an ETA to work or receive payment for work in Australia. The ETA is intended solely for tourists and those engaging in certain business-related activities. If someone intends to work and earn money in Australia, they must obtain a different visa that permits them to do so.