Subclass 601

Electronic Travel Authority (ETA 601): Quick Visitor Access for Eligible Passports.

If you hold a passport from one of the eligible countries, the ETA is the fast, digital way into Australia for a holiday or a short business trip. No paper application. No embassy visit. You apply online via the official app, and the authority links electronically to your passport.

Eligible passports onlyApply online via appMultiple entries, short stays

Book a Visitor Visa Chat Ask About a Family Visit

What the ETA Is

A digital authority for tourism or short business visits - for the right passports.

The ETA is for passport holders of certain eligible countries, including the United States, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and others. It covers tourism or short business visits. There's no physical label in your passport - the authority is linked electronically to your passport number, and the airline can see it when you check in.

Most people apply online through the official app, answer a short set of questions, and have the authority issued without ever filling in a long form. Once granted, it lets you come and go on multiple trips across a set period, with a limit on how long each individual stay can last.

The ETA is the easy door, but only if your passport opens it. It's for a defined list of eligible passports, and that list is different from the one used by the 651 eVisitor. If you're eligible, it's one of the simplest ways to visit Australia. If you're not, you'll need the 600 visitor visa instead.

What You'll Need

The key requirements for an ETA.

A passport from an eligible country - this is the first and biggest gate
A genuine visitor purpose - tourism or short business, not work or study
To apply from outside Australia - the ETA can't be granted while you're here
To meet health and character requirements - there's no visa application charge, though a service charge may apply via the app or an agent

ETA or eVisitor?

People mix these two up constantly.

Both are digital visitor visas linked to your passport. Both allow tourism and business visits. Both are for short stays. The difference is the country lists - the ETA covers a different group from the eVisitor 651, which serves a mostly European set of passports. Neither carries a government visa application charge, though the ETA can attract a service charge when lodged through the app or an agent, while the eVisitor does not. Which one you use is decided by the passport you hold, not by preference. We'll tell you which one fits.

Validity and Stay Limits

How long it lasts, and how long each stay can run.

Once granted, an ETA typically stays valid for up to around a year, though the exact period is set by the government and can vary. Within that window it usually allows multiple entries, so you can come and go on more than one trip. What it does not do is let you settle in - each individual stay is capped, generally at up to three months per visit, and the authority expires either on its end date or when your passport expires, whichever comes first.

Validity is not the same as length of stay. An ETA that is valid for a year does not mean a year in Australia. It means you can make multiple short visits across that year, with each stay limited to the period printed against your authority. If you need to stay longer, or stay continuously, the ETA is not the right document and we would look at the alternatives with you.

ETA vs eVisitor vs Visitor 600

Three visitor routes, side by side.

Most people choosing between these three are decided by their passport before anything else. The table below sets out how the three compare on the points that matter most. Figures are indicative and change - we confirm the current detail with you before you apply.

	ETA (Subclass 601)	eVisitor (Subclass 651)	Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)
Who it suits	Eligible passports (US, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and others)	Eligible European passports	Passport holders not covered by the ETA or eVisitor
Government visa application charge	No visa application charge (a service charge may apply via the app or an agent)	No visa application charge	A charge applies (around AUD 190, varies by stream and location)
How you apply	Online via the official app	Online application	Full online application with supporting documents
Where you must be	Offshore when you apply	Offshore when you apply	Onshore or offshore, depending on the stream
Typical purpose	Tourism or short business visits	Tourism or short business visits	Tourism, business, or sponsored family visits

Indicative only. The visitor 600 charge varies by stream and location, and the eligible-passport lists are set by the government and reviewed over time. We confirm the current position for your nationality before you lodge.

Common Questions

ETA 601 questions answered.

Which countries are eligible for the 601 ETA?

Eligible countries include the United States, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Brunei, Canada and several others. The full list is set by the government and reviewed over time. If your country is on the list, the ETA is usually the simplest way in. If it's not, the 600 visitor visa is the alternative.

Can I apply for the ETA if I'm already in Australia?

No - the ETA must be applied for and granted before you arrive. You need to be outside Australia when you apply. If you're already in Australia and need to extend your stay or apply for a new permission to enter, the ETA isn't available and a different visa is needed.

Can I work on an ETA?

No. The ETA is for tourism or short business visitor activities - meetings, conferences and similar - not for taking up employment with an Australian employer. If work in Australia is the goal, a different visa is required for that purpose.

What's the small service charge for?

The ETA doesn't have a visa application charge as such, but there is a service charge payable when you apply through the official app or authorised channels. This is distinct from the visa itself and goes to the platform operator. The eVisitor 651, by comparison, carries no charge at all - but it applies to a different set of countries.

How long is an ETA 601 valid for once granted?

An ETA is typically valid for up to around a year from the date it is granted, and it usually allows multiple entries within that period. The validity is set by the government and can vary, so we confirm the current position before you rely on it. Importantly, validity is not the same as how long you can stay - each individual visit is capped, generally at up to three months. The authority also ends if your passport expires sooner.

How long does the ETA take to be granted?

For many straightforward applications the ETA is granted quickly, often within a day or two of applying through the official app. That said, timing is not guaranteed - some applications are referred for additional checks and take longer, particularly where there is a health or character matter to consider. We suggest applying well before you book non-refundable travel rather than leaving it to the last minute.

What happens if my ETA 601 application is refused?

An ETA can be declined where the health or character requirements are not met, or where the visitor purpose is not accepted. A refusal does not necessarily close the door - in many cases the Subclass 600 Visitor visa is the appropriate alternative, because it allows a fuller application with supporting documents and an opportunity to address concerns directly. If you have had an ETA refused, it is worth talking it through before you reapply, so the next application is put forward in the strongest way.

Can I extend my ETA stay once I'm in Australia?

No - an ETA cannot be extended onshore, and the per-visit stay limit is fixed. If you are already in Australia and want to stay longer than your current visit allows, you would need to apply for a different visa, such as the Subclass 600 Visitor visa, depending on your circumstances and the conditions on your current authority. We can look at the timing and which option suits before your stay runs out.

Related Help

Where to from here.

European passport?eVisitor 651For eligible European passport holders - no visa application charge.Other nationalitiesVisitor Visa 600For passport holders not covered by ETA.Medical careMedical Treatment Visa 602If you need to extend your stay for medical treatment.

Written and reviewed by Brian Chan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217857)

Visa Store Australia, Perth · Last reviewed June 2026 · Verify on the MARA register · General information only, not personal migration advice.

Not sure your passport qualifies?

Tell us your passport country and we'll confirm whether the ETA fits or point you to the right alternative.