You can apply for various types of visas for Australia. Most European travellers, including travellers from the UK, are eligible for an eVisitor visa or an ETA. If you travel to Australia for a holiday, to visit friends and family, to study or for a business trip, and if you do not intend to stay in the country for more than 3 months, you may apply for an eVisitor visa or an ETA Australia.

What is an Australia ETA (subclass 601)?

The abbreviation ETA stands for ‘Electronic Travel Authority’. An ETA Australia is an electronic travel authorisation, comparable to the ESTA USA and the eTA Canada. If you have an approved ETA, you do not receive a paper document or a stamp in your passport. Instead, you receive a digital confirmation, allowing you to travel to Australia. Once the ETA Australia has been approved, you may check in to your flight or cruise to Australia.

The application procedure for the ETA is the same for nationals of all eligible countries. However, depending on the nationality, an applicant may be asked slightly different questions. The entire application procedure can be completed online.

What is an eVisitor Australia (subclass 651)?

The eVisitor visa is also an electronic travel authorisation. Similar to the ETA, travellers can submit their applications online. The eVisitor visa will also not be physically inserted in the passport. The requirements and validity period are the same as those of the ETA.

Both e-visas can be used as a tourist visa or business visa. However, the eVisitor and ETA Australia are not available to nationals of the same countries. Also, the application procedures and costs differ.

A map of Australia

Differences ETA Australia and eVisitor visa

The three differences between the two types of visas are explained in the following.

Difference in accepted nationalities

The ETA Australia is available to nationals of more countries than the eVisitor visa. Since it is easier and cheaper to apply for an eVisitor visa than an ETA, you should check whether you are eligible for an eVisitor visa first. The following table contains all countries whose nationals are eligible to apply for an eVisitor visa:

Do you have one of the above nationalities?

Then you can apply for your eVisitor visa Australia right away:
Apply for the eVisitor visa Australia

Is your nationality not listed in the table above?

In that case, you cannot apply for an eVisitor visa. However, you may be eligible for an Australia ETA. You are eligible if the following table contains your nationality.

Difference in application procedure

Besides the above-mentioned differences in eligible nationalities, the application procedures for the ETA and the eVisitor visa are different as well. You can apply for an eVisitor visa easily by using this application form. After filling in the form, you can pay the visa cost and submit the required passport scans digitally. The application will then be processed. Once it is approved, you receive a confirmation by e-mail. From that moment on, you are allowed to travel to Australia.

Are you not eligible for an eVisitor visa because of your nationality, but are you eligible for an Australia ETA? Then you can apply for your ETA Australia using your smartphone. To do so, download the app of Australia’s immigration department. Does your nationality allow you to apply for both an ETA and an eVisitor visa? In that case, you are recommended to use the eVisitor visa. If you want to apply for an ETA anyway, you can arrange it through the immigration service app.

Difference in cost

The cost of an eVisitor visa application for Australia through e-Visa.co.uk is £24.95 per person. The consular cost of an ETA Australia is higher than that of the eVisitor e-visa.