Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Subclass 601: Complete Guide 2026
The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Subclass 601 is a digital visa for passport holders from 8 eligible countries — including the USA, Canada, and Japan — that allows multiple visits to Australia for up to 3 months per stay over a 12-month period. There's no visa application charge, though a $20 AUD service fee applies. Most ETAs are approved within minutes through the Australian ETA app.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Visa subclass | 601 |
| Cost | Free (with $20 AUD service charge) |
| Processing time | Minutes (most applications) |
| Validity | 12 months from grant |
| Maximum stay | 3 months per visit |
| Multiple entries | Yes |
| Work rights | No (business activities permitted) |
| Apply via | Australian ETA app (iOS/Android) |
| Eligible countries | 8 passport types |
Eligible Countries for the ETA
The ETA is available to passport holders from the following 8 countries and territories:
- Brunei
- Canada
- Hong Kong SAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport only)
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea (Republic of Korea)
- United States of America
If your passport is from any other country, the ETA isn't available to you. European passport holders should check the eVisitor (Subclass 651) instead — it's a similar visa with identical conditions. Passport holders from all other countries will need to apply for a Subclass 600 visitor visa.
How to Apply for an ETA
The application process moved exclusively to the Australian ETA mobile app in 2022. You can no longer apply for an ETA through ImmiAccount or a travel agent's system. Here's the process.
Step 1: Download the Australian ETA app. Available free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Search "Australian ETA" — the official app is published by the Department of Home Affairs.
Step 2: Create a new ETA request. Open the app and follow the prompts to start a new application.
Step 3: Scan your passport. Use your phone's camera to scan the NFC chip in your passport. Hold your phone against the passport's bio page. This reads your identity data and photo directly from the chip, eliminating manual data entry errors.
Step 4: Take a selfie. The app uses facial recognition to match your live photo against the passport chip photo. Follow the on-screen instructions for proper lighting and positioning.
Step 5: Answer declaration questions. A short series of yes/no questions about your character, health, and travel purpose. Answer honestly — false declarations can lead to visa cancellation and future bans.
Step 6: Pay the $20 service charge. Credit or debit card payment through the app.
Step 7: Receive your ETA. Most applications are approved within minutes. You'll get a notification through the app. The ETA is linked electronically to your passport — there's no visa label or stamp.
What Can You Do on an ETA?
The ETA allows two categories of activity in Australia: tourism and business visitor activities. Understanding the distinction matters.
Tourism activities include:
- Holidays and sightseeing
- Visiting friends and family
- Recreational activities (surfing, diving, hiking)
- Short-term study (up to 3 months)
- Medical treatment
Business visitor activities include:
- Attending conferences, seminars, and trade fairs
- Making business enquiries or negotiations
- Conducting contract discussions
- Government-to-government visits
What you cannot do:
- Work for an Australian employer
- Sell goods or services directly to the public
- Provide services to a business in Australia
- Work as a freelancer or contractor
The line between "business visitor activities" and "work" trips up many people. Attending a conference? Fine. Delivering a paid keynote speech at that conference? That's work, and it requires a different visa.
ETA Validity and Multiple Entries
Your ETA is valid for 12 months from the date it's granted, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. During that 12-month window, you can enter and leave Australia as many times as you like, provided each stay doesn't exceed 3 months.
This makes the ETA ideal for frequent short-term visitors. A Canadian business traveller visiting Australian partners quarterly, for instance, can use a single ETA for the entire year.
The 3-month clock resets each time you leave Australia. Fly out to New Zealand for a week, fly back, and you get another 3 months. However, the Department of Home Affairs does monitor patterns. If you're clearly using consecutive 3-month stays to live in Australia semi-permanently, they may cancel your ETA or refuse you entry at the border.
When Your Passport Changes
An ETA is linked to a specific passport number. If you renew your passport, your existing ETA becomes invalid — even if it hasn't expired yet. You'll need to apply for a new ETA using your new passport through the app. The same $20 service charge applies.
If you hold dual citizenship, apply using the passport you'll present at Australian immigration. You can hold ETAs on multiple passports simultaneously, but only the one matching your travel document matters at the border.
Processing Times and Potential Delays
The overwhelming majority of ETA applications are processed within minutes. The app will either approve your ETA immediately or flag it for manual processing.
Reasons your ETA might be delayed or referred for further assessment:
- Previous visa refusals or cancellations in any country
- Criminal convictions (even minor ones)
- Previous overstays in Australia or other countries
- Health concerns flagged by the declaration questions
- Security checks triggered by your travel history
If your ETA is referred for manual processing, it can take days to weeks. In rare cases, you may be contacted for additional information or asked to apply for a Subclass 600 instead. There's no way to expedite the manual review process.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying on a desktop computer. The ETA app is mobile-only. You cannot apply through a website. If you see a website offering ETA applications, it's either a third-party agent (charging extra fees) or a scam.
Scanning issues with older passports. The NFC chip reading requires a biometric passport (e-passport). If your passport doesn't have the chip symbol on the cover, you may need to apply for a Subclass 600 visa instead.
Overstaying by even one day. Overstaying any Australian visa — even by a single day — creates a three-year exclusion period. Set calendar reminders well before your 3-month stay limit.
Assuming the ETA covers work. It doesn't. Not even remote work for your home-country employer while sitting in a Sydney cafe. Technically, any work performed on Australian soil requires a work visa. Enforcement is inconsistent, but the risk is real.
ETA vs. Other Visitor Visas
Not sure if the ETA is right for you? Here's how it compares.
| Feature | ETA (601) | eVisitor (651) | Tourist Visa (600) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $20 | Free | $190+ |
| Eligible nationalities | 8 countries | 36 European countries | All countries |
| Maximum stay | 3 months | 3 months | 3, 6, or 12 months |
| Processing | Minutes | Minutes–days | Days–months |
| Multiple entries | Yes | Yes | Depends on grant |
| Apply via | ETA app | ImmiAccount | ImmiAccount |
If you need to stay longer than 3 months, the ETA won't work. You'll need a Subclass 600 tourist visa which allows stays of up to 12 months.
For a detailed breakdown, see our ETA vs. eVisitor comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend my ETA beyond 3 months?
No. You cannot extend an ETA. If you need to stay longer than 3 months, you must apply for a different visa — typically a Subclass 600 visitor visa — before your ETA stay expires. Apply well before your 3-month limit to avoid becoming unlawful.
Is the ETA really free?
The visa application charge is $0, but there's a mandatory $20 AUD service charge for using the ETA app. So the total cost is $20. Compared to the $190 Subclass 600, it's a bargain.
Can I apply for an ETA for my children?
Yes. Each traveller needs their own ETA, including children. You can apply for family members through the same app, but each application requires scanning the individual's passport and paying the $20 service charge separately.
What happens if my ETA is refused?
If your ETA is refused, you'll receive a notification through the app. You can then apply for a Subclass 600 visitor visa through ImmiAccount, where you can provide more detailed supporting documents. ETA refusal doesn't automatically mean a Subclass 600 will be refused too — the Subclass 600 allows for a more comprehensive application.
Do I need to print anything for my trip?
No. The ETA is entirely electronic and linked to your passport number. Airlines and immigration officials can verify your visa status electronically. There's no visa label, stamp, or printout required. However, saving a screenshot of your ETA grant notification is sensible as a personal record.
