Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
Visa Cost
AUD 20 (app service fee, not the Visa Application Charge VAC)
The visa itself has no Visa Application Charge (VAC), but applying through the official Australian ETA app requires an AUD 20 service fee per person (including children), non-refundable. It can only be applied for via the app; be wary of third-party websites that mark up the price. Chinese passports are not on the 601 eligibility list, so mainland Chinese passport holders should use a visitor visa (subclass 600) instead; 601 is mainly for designated passport holders such as the US, Canada, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR and Malaysia.
Processing Time
Most are granted instantly or within days; apply at least 4 weeks in advance
Eligibility
- Hold a passport on the ETA eligibility list (such as the US, Canada, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, etc.); ordinary mainland Chinese passports do not qualify and must apply for subclass 600 instead.
- Be outside Australia at application.
- The trip is for tourism (holiday, visiting family or friends, cruises) or short-term business visitor activities (meetings, negotiations, inspections); paid work or full-time study is not permitted.
- No criminal conviction record resulting in a total sentence of 12 months or more; those with any criminal conviction are advised to apply for subclass 600 instead.
- Meet health requirements, with no active tuberculosis on entry.
- Hold a valid passport that supports near-field communication (NFC) reading (scanning the chip with the app).
- Have sufficient funds to cover the costs of the stay in Australia, and intend to leave within the permitted period.
Key Information
Validity / Stay / Residence
Valid for 12 months from grant (or until the passport expires, whichever is earlier), with multiple entries and a maximum stay of 3 months per entry.
Eligible Dependants
There is no accompanying-family concept; each traveller must hold their own ETA.
Common Visa Conditions
Full explanations of condition codes are in the Visa Conditions Lookup
Application Steps
Confirm passport eligibility
Confirm passport eligibility
Check whether your passport is on the 601 ETA eligibility list.
- Ordinary mainland Chinese passports are not on the 601 list, so use a visitor visa (subclass 600) instead.
- Check specific categories such as Hong Kong SAR passports and British National (Overseas) one by one.
- Confirm the passport's remaining validity covers the entire trip.
Download the official Australian ETA app
Download the official Australian ETA app
Download the Australian ETA app free from the App Store or Google Play.
- The 601 ETA can only be applied for through the official app; there is no ImmiAccount or web channel.
- You need a phone with a camera and NFC enabled.
- Be wary of third-party websites charging more than AUD 20 or claiming to expedite (mostly scams).
Scan passport and take photo
Scan passport and take photo
Photograph the passport bio-data page with the phone camera and read the passport chip via NFC.
- Photograph the passport bio-data page.
- Hold the phone near the passport via NFC to read the chip data.
- Take a facial selfie as prompted for biometric verification.
Complete application and pay
Complete application and pay
In the app, enter your personal details and travel purpose and pay the AUD 20 service fee.
- Answer health and character questions truthfully.
- Pay AUD 20 (per person) by credit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay.
- Lodge after confirming the details are correct.
Await decision and keep authority
Await decision and keep authority
Wait for the ETA outcome; once granted, the authority is electronically linked to the passport number.
- Most are granted instantly; some requiring further information may take a few days.
- The ETA is electronically linked to the passport, with no label or stamp required.
- It is advisable to apply at least 4 weeks in advance to avoid delays.
Travel to Australia under conditions
Travel to Australia under conditions
Multiple entries within the 12-month validity, with a maximum stay of 3 months per entry.
- Each entry allows a stay of no more than 3 months.
- Must not work in Australia.
- The ETA ceases when the passport expires or is renewed; you must reapply.
Required Documents
| Document Name | English Name | Required | Description | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible passport with NFC chip | Eligible passport with NFC chip | 601 is open only to passport holders of designated countries/regions, and the passport must contain an NFC-readable chip. | Ordinary mainland Chinese passports are not on the list, so apply for subclass 600 instead; confirm the passport chip is intact and readable before applying. | |
| Passport biodata page photo | Passport biodata page photo | Within the app, photograph the passport bio-data page with the phone camera to verify identity details. | Ensure good lighting, all four corners visible, and text clear and glare-free. | |
| Live selfie for facial verification | Live selfie for facial verification | The app guides you to take a live selfie for biometric comparison with the passport chip photo. | Front-facing, unobstructed, with a natural expression; complete the liveness check as instructed by the app. | |
| Smartphone with NFC enabled | Smartphone with NFC enabled | The application requires a phone with a camera and near-field communication (NFC) enabled to read the passport chip. | iPhone 7 and later or mainstream Android models are supported; enable NFC in settings before applying. | |
| Payment method for AUD 20 service fee | Payment method for AUD 20 service fee | For paying the AUD 20 app service fee, charged once per applicant (including children). | Pay only within the official app; be wary of any website asking for more than AUD 20. | |
| Return or onward travel itinerary | Return or onward travel itinerary | Prove your trip to Australia is for short-term tourism/business and that you intend to leave; border officials may check. | Not a submission item, but it is advisable to carry the itinerary and departure ticket for inspection. | |
| Evidence of sufficient funds | Evidence of sufficient funds | Prove you can afford the costs of the stay in Australia; border officials may ask to see this. | A screenshot of the bank balance or credit limit, showing you can cover the costs of the stay. | |
| Travel and accommodation details | Travel and accommodation details | Hotel bookings or details of family/friends you are visiting, showing the trip's purpose is genuine. | Business visitors can prepare an invitation letter; those visiting family can prepare the relative's details in Australia. | |
| Health declaration information | Health declaration information | Within the app you must answer health questions truthfully and must not have active tuberculosis on entry. | If there is a significant health history, find out in advance whether further examinations are needed. | |
| Character declaration information | Character declaration information | You must declare criminal convictions; those with a total sentence of 12 months or more do not qualify for 601. | Those with any criminal conviction record should apply for subclass 600 rather than an ETA. |
FAQ
Can mainland Chinese passport holders apply for the 601 ETA?
Is the ETA free? Why pay AUD 20?
How long can you stay on an ETA? Can you travel back and forth multiple times?
Can it only be applied for via the mobile app? Can a computer be used?
I have a criminal record; can I still apply for an ETA?
Common Refusal Reasons
- The passport held is not on the ETA list (mainland Chinese passports are not eligible for 601)
- A prior visa cancellation, refusal or adverse travel record
- Health or character requirements not met
- Assessed as not intending a short visit (disguised long-term residence through continuous stays)
Can you appeal after a refusal? See the Visa Refusal & Review (ART) Guide.