Australia ETA, eVisitor or visitor visa: which one you need
Australia has no visa-free entry: every visitor gets an ETA, an eVisitor or a visa before flying. For most passports it's the ETA, applied for in the Australian ETA app.
By Simvito · Reviewed
In this guide
ETA (subclass 601)
Applied for only in the Australian ETA app. The app charges AUD 20 and there's no other charge for the ETA. You can stay up to 3 months at a time. Passports that can use it include the US, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, the UK, Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan.
eVisitor and the visitor visa
Citizens of EU countries and the UK can apply online for an eVisitor (subclass 651) instead. Mainland Chinese and Indian passports can't use either and apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) in ImmiAccount; the tourist stream allows stays of up to 12 months.
Arrival card and biosecurity
Most arrivals still fill in the paper incoming passenger card. Qantas has been piloting a digital Australia Travel Declaration in its app, which can be filled in up to 72 hours ahead, and the Border Force plans to bring it to every international airport and seaport before the end of 2027. Whichever you use, declare food, plant and animal products.
Data when you land
Install an Australia eSIM before you fly. Plans here run on Optus; if you're driving inland, check its coverage map for your route.
Official references
- Home Affairs: Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) (opens in a new tab)
- Home Affairs: eVisitor (subclass 651) (opens in a new tab)
- Home Affairs: Visitor visa (subclass 600), tourist stream (opens in a new tab)
- Australian Border Force: Australia Travel Declaration rollout (13 July 2026) (opens in a new tab)