Visitor visa · Subclass 601
Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601)
The Subclass 601 ETA is a low-cost visa (about AUD $20 service charge) for citizens of approximately 30 non-European countries — including the US, Canada, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. It allows multiple visits to Australia over a 12-month validity, with each stay limited to 3 months. It is for tourism or business visitor activities only.
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney · Reviewed June 2026
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - Service charge
- ~AUD $20
- Stay per visit
- Up to 3 months
- Validity
- 12 months, multiple entry
- Eligible countries
- ~30 (non-European)
- Work rights
- None
MARN 1576536 · Last reviewed 2026-06-06
Apply through the official Australian ETA app. Unofficial third-party websites often charge inflated fees and add no value. Always use the Department's official ETA app or ImmiAccount.
Who is eligible
The ETA is available to passport holders from approximately 30 non-European countries, including (current list at the date of writing):
- United States, Canada
- Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei
- Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Taiwan
- And other partner countries listed on the Department's site
The current eligible-country list is published on the Department of Home Affairs website and may change — verify before applying. Citizens of eligible European countries use the eVisitor (Subclass 651) instead, which has the same entry rights but is free.
What you can do on an ETA
- Tourism — sightseeing, visiting friends or family, recreational activities
- Business visitor activities — meetings, conferences, negotiations, fact-finding
- Short-term study or training up to 3 months
- Multiple entries during the 12-month validity
What you cannot do
- Work for an Australian employer in a paid role
- Stay more than 3 months in any one visit
- Undertake formal study longer than 3 months
- Use the visa as a permanent residence pathway
Cost
The ETA carries a small service charge — approximately AUD $20 at the date of writing — payable when you apply through the ETA app or ImmiAccount. There is no separate Department visa application charge for the standard product. Verify the current service fee at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
How to apply
Apply through the official Australian ETA app (available in the Apple App Store and Google Play, published by the Department of Home Affairs) or via ImmiAccount on the Department's website. Many airlines can also lodge an ETA on your behalf at check-in. The application generally requires:
- Eligible-country passport (biodata page)
- Credit card for the service charge
- Statement of intent for the trip
- Confirmation you meet health and character requirements
Most ETAs are decided very quickly — sometimes within minutes — but always allow lead time before travel in case manual review is required.
General information only. This page is general information about the Subclass 601 Electronic Travel Authority. It does not constitute migration advice (s 23, Migration (Migration Agents Code of Conduct) Regulations 2021). Outcomes cannot be guaranteed by any registered migration agent (s 15). Migration advice for a specific matter is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) only after a paid initial consultation under section 43 of the Code, with a written service agreement issued before further work commences (section 42). OMARA Consumer Guide provided to all clients before consultation. PI insurance held under the Migration Agents Regulations 2026. Complaints via our Complaints Policy or directly to OMARA.
Questions we get asked first
How much does the ETA (Subclass 601) cost?
The Electronic Travel Authority has a small service charge — approximately AUD $20 at the date of writing, payable when you apply through the ETA app or ImmiAccount. There is no separate Department of Home Affairs visa application charge for the standard product. Verify the current service fee at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before applying.
How long can I stay in Australia on an ETA?
Up to 3 months per arrival, with the visa valid for 12 months from grant. You can enter Australia multiple times during the 12-month validity, but each individual stay must not exceed 3 months. The visa is for tourism or business visitor activities — not paid work or long-term residence.
Which countries are eligible for the ETA?
The ETA is available to passport holders from approximately 30 non-European countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Brunei, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan. The current eligible-country list is published on the Department of Home Affairs website and may change — verify before applying. Citizens of eligible European countries use the eVisitor (Subclass 651) instead, which is free.
What can I do on an ETA — can I work or study?
You can undertake tourism activities, business visitor activities (meetings, conferences, negotiations), and short-term study or training up to 3 months. You cannot work for an Australian employer in a paid role, undertake formal study longer than 3 months, or stay in Australia for more than 3 months in any single visit. If you want to work or study long-term, a different visa product applies.
What is the difference between ETA and eVisitor?
Both grant essentially the same rights — short tourism or business visits up to 3 months at a time over a 12-month validity. The key difference is eligibility and cost. ETA (601) is for passport holders of certain non-European countries and carries a small service charge of about AUD $20. eVisitor (651) is for passport holders of certain European countries and is free. There is no overlap — your nationality determines which one is available to you.
Can I apply for an ETA on arrival in Australia?
No. The ETA must be granted before you board a flight to Australia. Apply through the official Australian ETA app (operated by the Department of Home Affairs) or via your airline's check-in process. The Department periodically warns against unofficial third-party websites that charge inflated fees — always use the official ETA app or ImmiAccount.
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