Australia ETA for US Travelers: Who Needs It, How to Apply & Official Channel
Short answer: Holders of a valid United States of America passport are on Australia’s Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) eligible list. Apply in the Australian ETA app before you travel. You can stay up to 3 months after each entry; the visa is valid for 12 months, or until your passport expires, whichever is shorter. The app service charge is AUD20. In most cases you are told the result immediately — do not book travel until the ETA is granted. Start Australia ETA help on my-evisas.com. Stand: 18 August 2026.
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What is the Australian ETA?
The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA, subclass 601) is a temporary visa for eligible passport holders visiting Australia for tourism, family visits, or short business-visitor activity.
With an ETA you can visit family or friends, cruise or have a holiday, and undertake some business visitor activities. You can study or train for up to 3 months in total on this visa. If study is your main reason for travelling, you need a different visa.
Official apply channel
The official apply channel is the Australian ETA app, described on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au (Australian Government · Department of Home Affairs). Download the app for free from the Apple Store or Google Play.
You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted.
Authorised travel agents and industry representatives can lodge an ETA in the app on your behalf. They must take a live facial image of you; Home Affairs will not grant the visa without a live image.
Who can apply — US citizens
You must hold a valid passport from a country on Home Affairs’ ETA eligible list. United States of America is on that list.
If you hold more than one passport, declare every passport in the ETA application.
How long you can stay
The ETA is a temporary visa. It is valid for travel to Australia for 12 months, or for the period your passport is valid, whichever is shorter. The 12-month period starts on the date the visa is granted, unless you already hold another substantive visa that is in effect.
It is granted with multiple entry. You can leave and re-enter as many times as you want while it is valid, and remain in Australia for 3 months after each entry.
If you stay for long periods or visit often, officers may ask about your travel purpose. If you need to stay longer than 3 months at a time, you need a different visa.
Passport and app requirements
To apply in the Australian ETA app you need:
- a mobile device with a camera (for your photo and the passport data page)
- NFC (near-field communication) turned on
- location services turned on
- a valid email address
- a payment method for the service fee
Each person needs a separate application, including children listed on the same passport. A friend or family member can help in the app only if you are physically with them.
US passport chip: USA passports are read inside the document, not only on the cover. Open the passport to the personal data page, place the phone on the page opposite that data page with no gap, and slowly slide the device until the app finds the chip. Hold still while it reads (Android shows “Hold still”; Apple shows a yellow progress bar).
ETA fee — what to expect
There is a service charge of AUD20 to use the Australian ETA app. There is no other charge payable for an ETA, and no Visa Application Charge (VAC). Confirm the amount in the app when you pay.
How to apply — overview
- Check you have a valid eligible passport and that you will apply from outside Australia.
- Download the Australian ETA app (Apple Store or Google Play).
- Scan the passport data page and read the ePassport chip (for a US passport, use the opposite-page method above).
- Take a live photo; answer the questions in the app; pay the AUD20 service fee; submit.
- Wait for the grant before you make travel arrangements.
If you cannot use an ETA
You cannot do paid work for an Australian employer on an ETA. Working, or intending to work, can lead to cancellation, removal, or refused entry. To work in Australia you need a visa that permits work.
If you have a criminal conviction in any country, Home Affairs will need more information. Apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) and provide evidence about the convictions.
If you cannot use the Australian ETA app, Home Affairs points to other visas through ImmiAccount. European passport holders may be eligible for an eVisitor (subclass 651) visa. Other passport holders may be eligible for a Visitor visa (subclass 600).
FAQ
Do US citizens need an Australian ETA?
If you hold a valid United States of America passport and you are visiting for a holiday, to see family or friends, or as a business visitor within ETA rules, you apply for an ETA (subclass 601) in the Australian ETA app before you travel. Confirm your passport is still on the live eligible list.
Is an Australian ETA the same as a tourist visa?
“Tourist visa” is the everyday name. The product for eligible US passports is the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) — a temporary visa for holiday, family visits, and some business-visitor activity, not a work visa.
How much does an Australian ETA cost?
The official service charge to use the Australian ETA app is AUD20. There is no VAC and no other charge payable for an ETA. Confirm the figure in the app at checkout.
How long does an Australian ETA take?
In most cases you are told the result immediately. It can take longer if questions are answered incorrectly, more information is needed, or details are hard to verify. Do not make travel arrangements until the ETA is granted.
How do I scan a US passport chip in the Australian ETA app?
Open the passport to the personal data page. Place the phone on the opposite page, with no gap, and slide slowly until the app recognises the chip. Keep the device still while it reads.
Can I work in Australia on an ETA?
No. Paid work for an Australian employer is not allowed. You need a visa that permits work.
What if I have a criminal conviction?
Home Affairs will need more information. Apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) and provide evidence about the convictions.
Is eVisitor for US passport holders?
eVisitor (subclass 651) is described for European passport holders. United States of America passports are on the ETA eligible list.
How my-evisas.com can help
Provided
- Assisted filing for the Australian ETA (subclass 601) through the Australian ETA app, including a live facial image when we lodge. Start Australia ETA help.
Not provided
- Visitor visa (subclass 600) applications
- Embassy or consulate appointments
- Work visas
Sources
- Department of Home Affairs — Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) (accessed 18 August 2026; page last updated 12 August 2025)
- Department of Home Affairs — Australian ETA app, guidance notes for industry users (PDF) (accessed 18 August 2026)
Important Notice
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. my-evisas.com is a private service provider and not a government authority, embassy, or consulate.
Visa requirements and entry regulations can change at short notice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided. Only the official regulations in force at the time of your application are authoritative.
As of: 18 August 2026
Binding and up-to-date information is provided exclusively by the relevant official authorities. Please verify the currently applicable requirements before your application or travel: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601