Australia Visitor and Tourist Visas: Subclass 600, ETA, and eVisitor Explained

Australia offers several different entry options for short tourism and business trips, and choosing the right one depends largely on your passport nationality. Some travelers qualify for a fast, low-cost digital travel authorization, while others need to apply for a full Visitor Visa through the Department of Home Affairs. Understanding the differences between the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600), the Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601), and the eVisitor (Subclass 651) can save you time, money, and unnecessary paperwork.

This guide breaks down each option, who qualifies for what, the documents and costs involved, and how to apply.

Overview: Three Ways to Visit Australia

Australia’s short-stay visitor system, managed by the Department of Home Affairs, is built around three main products:

• Visitor Visa (Subclass 600): A full visa application for travelers whose passport isn’t eligible for the eVisitor or ETA, or who need a longer stay or a specific visit purpose not covered by those simpler options.
• Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601): A quick digital authorization available to passport holders from a specific group of eligible countries, applied for through the official Australian ETA app.
• eVisitor (Subclass 651): A free digital travel authorization for passport holders of the European Union member states, the United Kingdom, and a small number of other eligible countries.

All three allow entry for tourism, recreation, or short business activities, but none permit paid employment in Australia. Which one applies to you depends first and foremost on your passport, so it’s worth checking your eligibility before assuming you need the full visa application process.

Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)

The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is Australia’s standard visitor visa, used by travelers who aren’t eligible for the free eVisitor or the low-cost ETA, who want to stay longer than three months, or who are already in Australia and need to extend their stay. It’s applied for online through an ImmiAccount and involves a full application with supporting documents, rather than the instant approval typical of the digital options.

Visitor Visa Streams

The Subclass 600 visa is divided into several streams, each suited to a different travel purpose:

• Tourist stream: For general tourism, holidays, and visits to see family and friends. This is the most commonly used stream.
• Sponsored Family stream: For visitors sponsored by an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. A security bond may be requested in some cases.
• Business Visitor stream: For short-term business activities such as attending meetings, negotiations, or conferences. This stream is not intended for actual employment.
• Frequent Traveller stream: A multi-entry visa designed for travelers who visit Australia regularly, valid for a longer period than standard tourist stream grants.
• Approved Destination Status stream: Available to citizens of China traveling as part of an organized tour arranged through an approved travel agent.

Depending on the stream and individual circumstances, the Subclass 600 visa can grant a stay of three, six, or twelve months, with the exact period confirmed in the visa grant notice. It’s a multiple-entry visa in many cases, though conditions vary by stream and assessment.

Visitor Visa (600) Requirements

While specific document requirements vary by stream and country of application, a standard Subclass 600 application generally includes:

• A valid passport
• A completed online application through ImmiAccount
• Recent passport-style photographs, in some cases
• Proof of financial means to support your stay in Australia
• Evidence of your intention to return home, such as employment, property, or family ties in your home country
• A travel itinerary or details of your planned visit
• For the Sponsored Family stream, sponsorship documentation from your Australian-based sponsor
• For the Business Visitor stream, an invitation letter or documentation confirming the business purpose of your trip
• Health and character requirements, which may include police checks or health examinations depending on your circumstances and intended length of stay
• Biometrics, required for some applicants at an Australian Biometric Collection Centre

Importantly, this visa does not permit paid work in Australia. Visa condition 8101 (No work) commonly applies, and business visitors are typically restricted from engaging in productive work activities beyond the specific negotiating or meeting purpose of their trip, under condition 8115.

Visitor Visa (600) Cost

The application charge for the Subclass 600 visa varies depending on the stream you apply under and whether you’re applying from inside or outside Australia. Fees are reviewed and adjusted periodically by the Department of Home Affairs, and each applicant, including children, generally needs a separate application and fee. Because the exact current charge depends on your specific stream, location of application, and any recent pricing updates, use the Department of Home Affairs’ official Visa Pricing Estimator to confirm the accurate fee before applying.

Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601)

The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is a fast, app-based travel authorization available to passport holders from a specific list of eligible countries, generally including the United States, Canada, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Brunei, and Malaysia, among others. Because eligibility is tied to specific passport agreements, it’s important to confirm whether your nationality qualifies before applying.

How the ETA Works

The ETA is applied for through the official Australian ETA app, rather than through ImmiAccount. The process is designed to be quick, often processed within minutes, though the Department notes that some applications may take longer if further checks are needed. Once granted, the ETA typically allows stays of up to three months per visit, within a twelve-month validity period, permitting multiple visits during that time. A modest service charge applies, which is distinct from a standard visa application fee.

ETA Requirements

• A valid eligible passport from one of the qualifying countries
• The official Australian ETA app, downloaded from a legitimate app store
• Personal and passport details entered accurately into the app
• A valid debit or credit card to pay the service charge

eVisitor (Subclass 651)

The eVisitor is a free digital travel authorization available to eligible passport holders, generally including citizens of European Union member states, the United Kingdom, and a small number of other European countries such as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. Like the ETA, eligibility depends entirely on your passport, so check your specific nationality’s status before applying.

How the eVisitor Works

Unlike the ETA, the eVisitor is applied for directly through ImmiAccount rather than a dedicated app, and there is no application charge. It typically permits stays of up to three months per visit for tourism or business purposes, and multiple visits may be possible within the visa’s validity period.

eVisitor Requirements

• A valid eligible passport from a qualifying European country
• An ImmiAccount to submit the application online
• Accurate personal and passport information

Choosing the Right Option

If you’re unsure which travel authorization applies to you, consider the following:

• Check your passport’s eligibility first. If you hold a passport from a country eligible for the eVisitor or ETA, these are generally the fastest and most cost-effective routes for short tourism or business trips.
• Use the Subclass 600 if your passport isn’t eligible for the free or low-cost digital options, or if you need to stay longer than three months, are already in Australia and need to extend your stay, or have a specific travel purpose not covered by the simpler authorizations.
• Consider your trip length. The eVisitor and ETA are built around shorter visits of up to three months per entry, while the Subclass 600 can, depending on the stream and assessment, grant stays of up to twelve months.

Application Process for the Visitor Visa (600)

Step 1: Confirm You Need This Visa

Check whether your passport qualifies for the free eVisitor or the ETA instead, since these options are simpler and generally faster than the full Subclass 600 process.

Step 2: Choose the Right Stream

Select the stream that matches your travel purpose, whether tourism, a family sponsor visit, or short-term business activity.

Step 3: Create an ImmiAccount

Register for an account on the Department of Home Affairs’ official online system to begin your application.

Step 4: Complete the Application and Upload Documents

Fill out the required forms and upload your passport, photographs, financial evidence, and any stream-specific documents such as sponsorship or invitation letters.

Step 5: Pay the Visa Application Charge

Submit payment for your specific stream and application location, confirmed through the official Visa Pricing Estimator.

Step 6: Attend Biometrics Collection, If Required

Some applicants are asked to attend an Australian Biometric Collection Centre to provide fingerprints and a photograph as part of the assessment process.

Step 7: Wait for a Decision

Processing times vary depending on the stream, your individual circumstances, and application volumes. Track your application status through your ImmiAccount or the VEVO system once submitted.

Step 8: Travel Within Your Visa’s Conditions

Once granted, check your visa grant notice carefully for your permitted length of stay, number of entries, and any specific conditions attached to your visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between the ETA, eVisitor, and Visitor Visa (600)?

The ETA and eVisitor are quick digital travel authorizations available only to eligible passport holders, with the eVisitor being free and available mainly to European passport holders, and the ETA carrying a small service charge for passport holders from countries like the US, Canada, and Japan. The Subclass 600 is a full visa application required for travelers who aren’t eligible for either digital option, or who need a longer stay or specific visit purpose.

Can I work in Australia on a visitor visa?

No. None of these options, the Subclass 600, ETA, or eVisitor, permit paid employment in Australia. The Subclass 600 typically carries a no-work condition (8101), and business visitors are limited to negotiating or meeting-related activities rather than productive work.

How long can I stay in Australia on these visas?

The eVisitor and ETA generally allow stays of up to three months per visit. The Subclass 600 can grant stays of three, six, or twelve months, depending on the stream and individual assessment, as confirmed in your visa grant notice.

How much does the Australia Visitor Visa cost?

Costs vary by visa type and stream. The eVisitor is free, the ETA carries a small service charge, and the Subclass 600’s application charge depends on the stream and where you apply from. Use the Department of Home Affairs’ official Visa Pricing Estimator to confirm the current fee for your specific situation.

Do children need their own visa application?

Yes. Each applicant, including infants and children listed on a family passport, generally needs their own separate visa application and, where applicable, their own application fee.

Can I extend my stay while in Australia on a visitor visa?

In some cases, travelers already in Australia on a visitor visa may apply for a further Subclass 600 visa to extend their stay, subject to meeting the relevant criteria at the time of the new application.

What happens if my visitor visa application is refused?

If refused, the visa application charge is generally non-refundable, and there is typically no right of merits review for visitor visa refusals. It’s important to prepare a complete, accurate, and consistent application from the outset to reduce the risk of refusal.

Is the ETA the same as a visa?

The ETA is a form of electronic travel authorization rather than a traditional visa sticker or label, but it functions as your legal permission to travel to and enter Australia, similar in effect to a visa for eligible passport holders.