ETA (Subclass 601)

Australia Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) information

The Australian ETA — short for Electronic Travel Authority — is an entry authorisation scheme for foreign travellers visiting Australia for purposes such as tourism or short-term business. The ETA is a type of visa, but unlike traditional visas it does not require any procedures at an embassy or consulate: the application and assessment are completed entirely online.

It is available to holders of passports from certain countries and regions, including Japan. Travellers with an eligible nationality can use the ETA to travel for short-term tourism, private visits, attending meetings, and similar purposes. It cannot, however, be used to enter Australia for work, long-term stays, or study.

Compared with an ordinary visitor visa, the ETA involves a simpler application process and assessment tends to be relatively quick. On the other hand, the conditions of stay and permitted activities are restricted, so depending on your purpose of travel and length of stay you may need to obtain a Visitor visa instead. It is therefore important to confirm in advance whether the ETA suits your purpose of travel. This page explains the ETA's conditions of use and how to apply in detail.

Important Notice

Australian visa rules, requirements, and administrative practice are subject to frequent change. This page is provided for general information about how the system works and does not guarantee the currency of specific requirements or their application to individual cases. For the latest information, please check the Australian Government’s official website.

For accurate, up-to-date information and advice tailored to your circumstances, please consult a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) registered with the Australian Government, including this site’s supervising editor, Kotaro Mizoguchi.

Who Needs an ETA — and Who Does Not

Whether you need an ETA to travel to Australia depends on your nationality, your purpose of travel, and whether you already hold a visa. The ETA is an electronic travel authorisation scheme for tourism and short-term business, and not every traveller is eligible. If you do not meet the conditions, you cannot use the ETA and will need to obtain a different visa.

You also cannot enter Australia without an ETA or another valid visa. Proceeding with travel plans based on a mistaken understanding may lead to being refused boarding by the airline or refused entry, so it is important to check in advance.

When an ETA Is Required

An ETA is required when a holder of a passport from a country or region designated by the Australian Government travels to Australia for purposes such as tourism or short-term business. Japanese citizens are among those eligible.

Specifically, an ETA is needed in cases such as the following:

Travel for tourism (holidays, sightseeing, and so on)
Visiting friends or relatives
Short-term business activities (attending meetings, negotiations, site visits, and similar — not including work)
Entering Australia temporarily in transit to another destination

The ETA is a scheme for short stays and can only be used where your purpose of travel falls within that scope.

When an ETA Is Not Required

You do not need to apply for an ETA if any of the following applies to you:

You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident
You already hold a valid Australian visa (such as a work visa or Student visa)
You are a New Zealand citizen (a separate arrangement applies)

If you already hold a valid visa, you can travel and stay in accordance with the conditions of that visa, and there is no need to obtain an ETA as well.

Travellers whose nationality is not among the ETA-eligible countries and regions will need to obtain a visa appropriate to their purpose, such as the Visitor visa (subclass 600), instead of the ETA.

Activities Permitted and Not Permitted Under the ETA

The ETA permits short-term tourism, private stays, and limited business activities. Work and long-term stays, on the other hand, are not permitted, and there are clear restrictions on what you may do. Acting beyond the scope of the ETA can lead to refusal of entry or problems during your stay, so it is important to understand the conditions correctly in advance.

Permitted Activities

If you enter Australia on an ETA, the following kinds of activities are permitted:

Tourism and leisure (sightseeing, holidays, experiencing nature, and so on)
Visiting friends and relatives
Short-term business activities (attending meetings, negotiations, contract discussions, site visits, and similar)
Attending conferences and seminars (where no remuneration is involved)

All of these are premised on being unpaid activities. The ETA is designed for short, non-working stays, and your activities during your stay must remain within this scope.

Activities Not Permitted

By contrast, the following activities are not permitted under the ETA:

Work (all forms of labour, including casual and part-time work)
Activities involving remuneration (speaking fees, appearance fees, contracted services, and so on)
Travel premised on a long-term stay or on extending your stay
Study exceeding three months, or educational activities aimed at obtaining a qualification
Working for a local company or performing labour under a contract

The ETA is a scheme for short stays and cannot be used where these activities are your purpose.

If you intend to undertake activities that fall outside the ETA's conditions, you will need to obtain a different visa suited to your purpose, such as a Visitor visa, Student visa, or work visa. If you are unsure, it is important to confirm the appropriate visa type before travelling.

ETA Validity and Permitted Length of Stay

The ETA has a set validity period and a maximum number of days you may stay per visit. Even within the validity period, you cannot exceed the number of days permitted for a single stay. Multiple entries are allowed during the validity period, but failing to comply with the conditions may result in being refused entry. It is important to understand the ETA's conditions correctly when using it.

Validity Period

The ETA is generally valid for 12 months from the date it is granted. Within this period, you may travel to Australia multiple times provided you meet the conditions.
Note, however, that the ETA's validity is linked to your passport's expiry date: if your passport expires sooner, the ETA expires with it. If your passport ceases to be valid, your ETA also becomes invalid, so you should check your passport's remaining validity when applying. If you are planning several trips, confirm in advance that they all fall within the validity period, and consider re-applying if necessary.

Length of Stay per Visit

If you enter Australia on an ETA, you may in principle stay for up to three months (about 90 days) per visit. You cannot stay beyond this period, and extensions are generally not granted.
Even for stays within three months, you may be asked at immigration clearance about your purpose of stay and plans for returning home. Having your return flight booking and accommodation details ready in advance will help your entry go smoothly.

Multiple Entries

The ETA allows multiple entries, meaning you may enter Australia any number of times while it remains valid. If you are planning several trips within a short period, there is no need to submit a new application each time.
However, your purpose of stay and compliance with the conditions are assessed each time you enter, and you may be refused entry if your circumstances are judged to fall outside the scope of the ETA. Also note that even though multiple entries are permitted, using repeated visits to remain in Australia for what is effectively a long-term stay can be viewed as a problem.

How to Apply for an ETA

The ETA application is completed entirely online, with no need to visit an embassy or consulate. Relatively few documents are required, and the process is based mainly on your passport details.
That said, errors in the information you enter can delay the assessment or lead to your application not being approved, so it is important to enter everything exactly as it appears in your passport. Once your application is submitted it is assessed, and you are notified of the outcome by email or similar means.

What You Need to Apply

To apply for an ETA, you will need the following:

A passport (a valid passport issued by an ETA-eligible country; an ePassport with an embedded chip is recommended)
A credit or debit card (used to pay the application charge)
An email address (used to receive application confirmations and the grant notification)

Have this information to hand before you begin so you can work through the application calmly.

Application Steps

ETA applications are made through the Australian Government's official app, "Australian ETA". The basic steps are as follows:

Download the official "Australian ETA" app (Apple Store / Google Play)
Create an account in the app and register your email address
Scan or enter your passport details
* Check against your passport as you go to make sure everything is entered correctly
Take a facial photograph and complete identity verification
Answer questions about your purpose of travel, health, and related matters
Review your application and pay the application charge (AUD 20)
Submit the application and wait for the outcome

If your application is approved, you will be notified in the app and at the email address you registered.

Because a granted ETA is electronically linked to your passport, there is no need to print anything or carry documents with you. It is reassuring to confirm your approval status before you travel.

ETA Processing Times and When to Apply

Although ETA applications are usually assessed relatively quickly, not every application is approved instantly. Depending on the content of the application and the circumstances, additional checks may be needed and the assessment may take longer. It is therefore important to apply well ahead of time rather than just before departure.

Typical Processing Times

Most ETA applications are finalised within anywhere from a few minutes to 12 hours of submission. However, not all applications are processed at the same speed, and some can take several days or more.
If your past travel history or the details you have entered need to be checked, you may be asked to provide additional information, in which case the assessment will take longer still. Rather than assuming you can "get it straight away", it is best to allow plenty of time.

How Far in Advance Should You Apply?

Even though many applications are finalised the same day, applying just before departure carries risk. As a general rule, it is recommended that you complete your application at least 72 hours (three days) before departure.
Applying early — as soon as your travel dates are set — gives you room to respond if the assessment is delayed or additional checks arise. Airlines may verify that you hold an ETA at boarding, and you may not be able to board if it has not yet been granted.

Peak Season Considerations

During busy periods such as the New Year holidays, long public holiday weeks, and the summer holiday season, the increased volume of applications may mean assessments take longer than usual. System congestion can also slow down the application process itself.
If you are travelling during a peak period, it is important to apply with even more time to spare than usual. To avoid the risks of a last-minute application, aim to complete the process early.

Points to Note When Applying for an ETA

Problems with ETA applications are not uncommon, and they often stem from input errors or misunderstandings of the conditions. Typical causes include mistyped passport details and a lack of awareness that certain things cannot be changed once the ETA is granted. It is important to understand these points before applying and to base your application on accurate information.

Errors in Passport Details

Because the ETA is electronically linked to your passport details, entering your name (in Roman letters), passport number, date of birth, or similar details incorrectly may mean you cannot enter Australia even if the ETA is granted.
Take particular care with middle names and the order of names. If the chip cannot be read and you have to enter details manually, enter them exactly as they appear in your passport and double-check everything before submitting.

What Cannot Be Changed After Grant

Once an ETA has been granted, the details of the application cannot be amended afterwards. If there is an error in your passport number or name, you will need to apply again.
Likewise, the details cannot be changed if your purpose of travel changes; if you intend to undertake activities outside the ETA's conditions, you must obtain the appropriate visa instead. If you renew your passport, you will also need to re-apply with the new passport.

Common Reasons for Refusal or Delay

The main reasons an ETA application may be refused or placed on hold include the following:

Errors or inconsistencies in the application
A history of breaching visa conditions in Australia
A criminal record (in some cases including minor offences)
Health-related concerns (based on what is declared)
Insufficient remaining passport validity

The assessment reviews your past travel history and the content of your application, and in some circumstances it may be more thorough than usual.

Even if your ETA is refused, you may still be able to apply for another visa, such as the Visitor visa (subclass 600), depending on the reason. It is important to review the outcome and respond appropriately.

Differences Between the ETA and the Visitor Visa

The ETA and the Visitor visa are both entry authorisations that can be used for tourism, but they differ in who is eligible, how you apply, and the conditions of stay. The ETA is a simplified electronic travel authorisation for short stays, and its appeal is that travellers from eligible countries can apply easily. The Visitor visa, on the other hand, can accommodate a wider range of purposes and lengths of stay, but its conditions and assessment differ from the ETA. It is important to choose the scheme that matches your purpose of travel and travel plans.

Comparison	Visitor visa (subclass 600)	ETA (subclass 601)
Eligible nationalities	Includes nationalities not eligible for the ETA	Certain countries and regions only
Purpose of travel	Tourism, visiting family, and similar (assessed individually)	Tourism, short-term business, and similar
Length of stay	Determined individually based on the application	Premised on a short stay
Assessment	Based on a detailed application	Simplified pre-travel authorisation
Travel plans	Suited to longer or more complex plans	Suited to clear, short-term plans
Number of entries	Single or multiple, depending on conditions	Multiple entries within the conditions
Best suited to	Those who cannot use the ETA or need a more thorough assessment	Those planning a short, straightforward tourist visit
Ease of application	Documents and assessment required	Relatively simple

Entering Australia on an ETA

When travelling to Australia on an ETA, there are several points to keep in mind before departure, on arrival, and during your stay. Because the ETA is electronically linked to your passport no special documents are needed, but your purpose of travel and conditions of stay may be checked at entry. Preparing in advance and understanding the rules will help your entry go smoothly.

Before Departure

Before you depart, always confirm that your ETA has been granted. As the ETA is managed electronically no printed documents are required, but it is reassuring to be able to show your grant notification email or the app screen if needed. When you check in with the airline, the system verifies whether an ETA is linked to your passport details. If it has not been granted, you may not be able to board.

It is also important to check and prepare the following in advance:

That your passport has sufficient remaining validity
That you hold a ticket for your return journey or onward travel to a third country
Information that lets you explain where you will be staying and for how long

Because the ETA is a scheme for short stays, re-confirm before departure that your purpose of travel falls within its conditions.

On Arrival (Immigration Clearance)

On arrival in Australia you will pass through immigration clearance. As your ETA is already electronically linked to your passport, no special documents need to be presented. At many airports, SmartGates (automated immigration clearance) are available to ePassport holders, including holders of Japanese passports. Depending on the circumstances, however, you may be directed to an immigration officer for checks.

In that case you may be asked about your purpose of travel (such as tourism), your length of stay, and your plans for returning home, so be prepared to explain these clearly. If false statements are suspected, or your purpose appears to fall outside the conditions, you may be refused entry.

During Your Stay

During your stay, you must keep within the scope of activities the ETA permits. Work, long-term stays, and study outside the conditions are prohibited, and activities involving remuneration are not allowed even for short periods.

It is also important to confirm your departure date in advance so that you do not exceed the permitted length of stay (up to three months). Breaching your visa conditions may result in the cancellation of your right to stay and can affect future travel and visa applications.