Most short-term visitors to Australia need one of three permissions: an Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) applied for through the Australian ETA app, a free eVisitor (subclass 651) for many European passports, or a Visitor visa (subclass 600) lodged through ImmiAccount for everyone else. Your passport decides which route is open to you, and none of the three lets you work.
Who needs what
Even a short holiday requires a visa granted before you travel, and the type depends mainly on your passport.
- ETA (subclass 601): holders of passports from Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (not official or diplomatic passports), the United States, Vatican City, and the United Kingdom (British Citizen and British National (Overseas) passports).
- eVisitor (subclass 651): citizens of most European Union and European Economic Area countries plus Switzerland, the United Kingdom (British Citizen passports only), Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City. This includes countries that cannot use the ETA, such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
- Visitor visa (subclass 600): everyone else, and also ETA or eVisitor nationals whose circumstances do not fit those simpler products.
Some passports appear on both the ETA and eVisitor lists. In that case the eVisitor is free, while the ETA carries an app service charge, so it is worth comparing before you apply.
Home Affairs directs some ETA and eVisitor nationals to the subclass 600 instead, including anyone with a criminal conviction in any country, anyone who has previously failed the health requirement, and people who plan to enter hospitals or other health care settings, train at a childcare centre, or study to become a doctor, dentist, nurse or paramedic.
Neither the ETA nor the eVisitor can be used with a non-citizen travel document or certificate of identity, and Australian citizens, including dual nationals, cannot apply for either.
The options compared
The ETA (subclass 601) is applied for only through the official Australian ETA app on a smartphone, which scans your passport and takes a live photo of your face. It allows tourism, visiting family and friends, cruising and limited business visitor activities. It is valid for 12 months or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, with multiple entries and stays of up to three months each time. It is tied to the passport you used, so a new passport means a new ETA.
The eVisitor (subclass 651) is applied for online through ImmiAccount and is free. It covers the same purposes as the ETA, is valid for 12 months from the grant date, and allows multiple entries with stays of up to three months per visit. Applicants must also show they have enough money to support themselves and to leave Australia.
The Visitor visa (subclass 600) has several streams. The Tourist stream (applied for from outside Australia) covers holidays, cruises and family visits; Home Affairs generally grants a three-month stay but can grant up to 12 months, and decides single or multiple entry case by case. A separate Tourist stream lets people already in Australia apply for a further stay. The Business visitor stream allows short business trips of up to three months. The Sponsored family stream requires sponsorship by an eligible Australian citizen or permanent resident relative, who may be asked to pay a security bond. An Approved Destination Status stream serves organised tour groups from mainland China, and a Frequent traveller stream for citizens of China and several Southeast Asian countries can be granted for up to 10 years, with stays of up to three months each time.
Under all three products, business visitor activities are limited to things like general business enquiries, negotiating or reviewing contracts, official government visits and attending conferences or trade fairs without payment from the organisers. You cannot work for or provide services to an Australian business, or sell goods and services to the public. Study or training of up to three months in total is permitted.
Document checklist
ETA and eVisitor applications are short and rarely need uploads. For a subclass 600 application, gather the following before you start.
- Valid passport, with the photo, personal details and issue and expiry date pages scanned in colour
- National identity card, if you have one, and any change-of-name documents
- Proof of funds, such as personal bank statements covering about three months, pay slips, tax records or credit card statements
- An invitation letter from family or friends in Australia, if relevant, stating your relationship, the purpose and length of the visit and whether you will stay with them
- Evidence of ties to home, such as an employer letter confirming leave, proof of current study, property ownership or close family remaining at home
- Military service records, if applicable, and police certificates if requested
- For applicants under 18: a birth certificate naming both parents, plus consent from any parent or guardian not travelling with them
- English translations of any non-English documents
Fees as of October 2026
The amounts below are taken from the official Home Affairs visa pricing table as of October 2026. Confirm the figure on the official fee page or the Visa Pricing Estimator before you pay.
- ETA (subclass 601): no visa application charge, but a service charge of AUD 20 to use the Australian ETA app
- eVisitor (subclass 651): free
- Subclass 600 Tourist stream, applying outside Australia: AUD 250
- Subclass 600 Tourist stream, applying in Australia: AUD 630, with a higher subsequent temporary application charge of AUD 700 listed for some applicants
- Subclass 600 Business visitor stream: AUD 250
- Subclass 600 Sponsored family stream: AUD 250
- Subclass 600 Approved Destination Status stream: AUD 250
- Subclass 600 Frequent traveller stream: AUD 1,845
Since 1 July 2026 a lower charge applies to eligible citizens of several Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste. Health examinations, police certificates and biometrics may add further costs, which the estimator does not include.
Step-by-step application
- Check your passport against the official ETA and eVisitor eligibility lists and make sure it will remain valid for your trip.
- ETA: download the Australian ETA app from the official Apple or Google store, scan your passport, take the live photo, answer the questions and pay the service charge. Each family member needs a separate application.
- eVisitor: create or log in to ImmiAccount, complete the form carefully with your name exactly as it appears in your passport, and submit.
- Subclass 600: choose the right stream, log in to ImmiAccount, complete the form, attach your documents and pay the charge. Family members may lodge together but each person is a separate applicant.
- Respond promptly if asked for biometrics, health examinations or further documents.
- Wait for written confirmation of the grant before booking non-refundable travel, and stay outside Australia until the decision if you applied from overseas.
- Check your grant letter or the VEVO online service for your conditions, stay period and number of entries.
Timing
Home Affairs says most ETA applicants get a result straight away, though incomplete or hard-to-verify answers cause delays. eVisitor and subclass 600 timeframes vary. The department publishes indicative figures in its visa processing time guide tool, which reflects recently decided applications and is not a promise for any individual case. Subclass 600 applications in particular can take noticeably longer, so apply well ahead of your planned departure.
Health, funds and character
All three options require you to be a genuine visitor who intends to stay only temporarily, to meet the health and character requirements and to have repaid, or arranged to repay, any debt to the Australian Government. Home Affairs strongly recommends adequate health insurance because visitors are personally liable for all medical costs in Australia. In some cases a subclass 600 is granted with condition 8501, which requires you to maintain adequate health insurance during your stay.
Common refusal reasons
- Not convincing the decision-maker that you are a genuine temporary visitor, often because ties to your home country are thin
- Insufficient or unexplained funds, or bank statements that do not match your stated plans
- Undeclared criminal convictions, or using the ETA or eVisitor despite a conviction
- Inconsistent or incorrect information, such as a misspelt name or wrong passport number
- A history of overstaying or breaching visa conditions in Australia or elsewhere
- Signs that you intend to work, or a trip purpose that does not fit the stream chosen
- Missing documents, since the department may decide an application without asking for more
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Australia as a tourist?
Almost certainly. Apart from New Zealand citizens, who are usually granted a visa on arrival, every non-Australian traveller needs a visa granted before travel, even for a short holiday. Depending on your passport, that will be an ETA, an eVisitor or a subclass 600 Visitor visa.
How much is the Australia ETA app fee?
There is no visa application charge for the ETA, but the Australian ETA app carries a service charge of AUD 20 as of October 2026.
Who is eligible for the eVisitor?
Citizens of most EU and EEA countries, Switzerland, the United Kingdom (British Citizen passports), Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City can apply, provided they meet the health, character, funds and genuine visitor requirements and have no criminal convictions.
How long can I stay in Australia on a visitor visa?
On an ETA or eVisitor you can stay up to three months per entry during the 12-month validity. A subclass 600 Tourist stream visa usually allows three months but can allow up to 12, as stated on your grant letter.
Can I extend my ETA or eVisitor in Australia?
No. Neither can be extended. You would need to apply for a new visa, such as the subclass 600 Tourist stream from inside Australia, and only if your current visa does not carry a no further stay condition such as 8503.
Can I work in Australia on a visitor visa?
No. Visitor visas do not allow paid work for an Australian employer or selling goods and services to the public. Limited business visitor activities and some volunteer work are allowed.
A final reminder
Australian visitor visa rules depend on your nationality, travel history and personal circumstances, and fees and eligibility lists can change at short notice. Before you apply or book travel, check the details for your situation on the official Home Affairs pages listed in the sources for this guide.
Official sources
- Home Affairs: Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
- Home Affairs: eVisitor (subclass 651)
- Home Affairs: Visitor visa (subclass 600)
- Home Affairs: Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream (apply outside Australia)
- Home Affairs: Current visa pricing
Sources reviewed on 20 Oct 2026. Requirements can change and depend on your nationality and circumstances. This article is general information, not a personal eligibility assessment.
