Travellers to Australia must obtain a visa in advance, depending on the country that issued their passport, their purpose of travel, and length of stay. Even for tourism, entry without prior authorisation is not permitted. Because the required visa procedures vary depending on the traveller’s circumstances, it is important to confirm which procedure applies to you at the planning stage of your trip.
AUSTRALIA
Australia Visa and Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Information
About Australian Visas
Australian visas exist to define precisely what activities are permitted during a stay and under what conditions: travellers may stay and act in Australia only within the conditions attached to the visa they have been granted. Each visa specifies in detail whether work or study is permitted, the number of days you may stay, the number of entries allowed, and so on — and any activity beyond these conditions is not permitted.
Australia offers many visa types organised by purpose, ranging from short-stay visas for tourism and visiting friends to visas for work, study, joining family, and long-term residence.
In recent years, procedures have been increasingly streamlined, and a growing number of visas are applied for and granted online or through official apps. These visas are generally managed electronically and linked to your passport information. Instead of a paper visa, a grant notification setting out the conditions of the grant is sent by email. In some cases, however, additional documents may be requested or a more detailed assessment carried out.
In this way, an Australian visa is the key factor determining what you can do during your stay. It is important to understand the differences within the system and choose the visa that matches your purpose of travel.
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.
Short-Stay Visas (Tourism and Visiting)
Short-Stay Visas You Can Apply for Electronically
For certain travellers visiting Australia for tourism or to see family, short-stay visas are available that can be applied for and granted online or through an official app. The main options are the ETA (Electronic Travel Authority, subclass 601) and the eVisitor (subclass 651). No paper visa is issued for either; once granted, the visa is managed electronically and linked to your passport information.
The ETA is available to travellers from eligible countries and regions, including Japan, and permits stays for tourism and short-term business activities that do not involve work. The eVisitor is a short-stay visa mainly for certain European nationalities and, like the ETA, can be used for tourism and short-term business. While application methods and eligible nationalities differ, both are intended for short stays only, and neither can be used for work or long-term residence.
Which of these electronic short-stay visas is appropriate depends on your purpose of travel and nationality, so it is important to confirm which one suits your circumstances before applying.
Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)
The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is a short-stay visa used for tourism, visiting friends and family, and other short-term non-work activities. It may be chosen by travellers whose nationality is not eligible for the electronic short-stay visas, or by those wishing to stay longer. The permitted length of stay and number of entries depend on the application and the assessment outcome, and processing may take longer than for the ETA. Work is generally not permitted on this visa either, and activities beyond the conditions of stay are restricted. It is important to understand how it differs from the ETA and choose according to your travel circumstances.
ETA (Electronic Travel Authority / Subclass 601)
The Australian ETA is a short-stay visa for travellers visiting for purposes such as tourism or seeing family. Although it is often referred to as an “electronic travel authorisation,” it is formally classified as a type of visa, with clearly defined conditions for entry and stay. The ETA is applied for and granted through the Australian Government’s official app, and once granted it is electronically linked to your passport information. No paper visa is issued, and there is no need to carry additional documents when travelling. It mainly permits tourism, visiting friends and family, and short-term business activities; work, long-term stays, and study are not permitted. The ETA also has a set validity period and a maximum number of days per stay, and exceeding these conditions may constitute a breach of your visa. While the application process is relatively simple, eligibility is limited to certain nationalities and conditions, so it is important to confirm in advance that it suits your purpose of travel and circumstances.
Student Visa
The Australian Student visa is for study at government-approved education providers such as universities, vocational colleges, and language schools. Its primary purpose is study, and it is clearly distinguished within the system from visas whose main purpose is work or long-term residence.
Student visa holders are permitted to stay for the duration of their enrolment, and work may be allowed under certain conditions. Note, however, that working hours and the type of work are restricted, and work is permitted only to the extent that it does not interfere with study. The visa’s validity is tied to the length of the course, and after completing your studies you will generally need to switch to another visa.
Because this visa is premised on study, it is not suited to travel whose main purpose is tourism, short-term business, or work. If you are considering further or higher education in Australia, it is important to properly understand the Student visa requirements — in light of your intended institution and course duration — before preparing your application.
Long-Term Visas: Work and Family Streams
Australia offers a number of visas for medium- to long-term stays, including pathways with permanent residence in view. These visas are not organised simply into “work” and “family” categories; rather, the system is designed around the purpose and background of the stay and the applicant’s position.
For example, some visas premised on employer-sponsored work can lead to permanent residence if certain conditions are met. Likewise, visas applied for on the basis of living with or supporting family members may involve extended stays that ultimately amount to permanent residence. A distinctive feature of these medium- to long-term visas is that they form a staged system, rather than drawing a hard line between temporary stay and permanent residence.
When considering these visas, it is therefore important to understand the system as a whole, taking into account not only your current purpose of stay but also your future plans for residence, your working arrangements, and your family situation.
Important Notes on Using Your Visa
Holding an Australian visa does not guarantee entry. The final decision on whether you may enter rests with the immigration officer at the border on arrival. A visa establishes your eligibility to stay and undertake certain activities, and you may be asked about your purpose of travel and plans during immigration clearance.
Every visa also carries clearly defined limits on the permitted length of stay and activities, and going beyond those conditions is not allowed. For example, working on a visa that does not permit employment, or staying beyond your permitted period, may constitute a breach of your visa conditions. To avoid problems, make sure you fully understand and comply with your visa conditions before travelling.
