Australia Visa Requirements (2026): ETA, eVisitor and Visitor Visa Made Simple

Australia visa requirements explained — the free eVisitor for Europeans, the A$20 ETA for North Americans and Asians, the standard Visitor Visa, plus Working Holiday options for visiting Melbourne in 2026.

Australia visa requirements trip up more first-time visitors than any other part of the planning process. Australia does not have visa-free travel — every non-citizen, even children, needs a valid visa to enter. The good news is that for most travellers the process is online, fast, and either free or cheap. This 2026 guide walks you through every Australia visa pathway relevant to a Melbourne trip: the free eVisitor for Europeans, the A$20 ETA for North Americans and Asians, the standard Visitor Visa for everyone else, and the Working Holiday and student options. We cover what to apply for, where to apply, how long it takes, what it costs, and the common mistakes that get applications rejected.

Do I need a visa to visit Australia?

Yes — every non-Australian and non-New Zealand citizen needs a visa to enter Australia, including for short tourist stays. Australia is one of the very few high-income countries with no visa-waiver program.

Australia visa requirements differ depending on your nationality. There are three main tourist visa options most Melbourne visitors will use:

• eVisitor (subclass 651) — free, for holders of eligible European passports, applied online.
• Electronic Travel Authority (ETA, subclass 601) — A$20 service fee, for citizens of selected countries (US, Canada, Japan, Singapore, etc.), applied via mobile app.
• Visitor Visa (subclass 600) — from A$250 in the Tourist stream, for citizens of countries not eligible for the above two.

All three allow tourist stays of up to 3 months per visit (12 months for the Visitor Visa in some streams). All three are linked electronically to your passport — Australia issues no physical visa stamp or sticker.

eVisitor visa (subclass 651) — for Europeans

The eVisitor visa is the cheapest, easiest pathway into Australia for eligible European passport holders. It is completely free and applied for online.

Who is eligible for the eVisitor

Citizens of all 27 EU member states, the United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City. If you hold any of these passports, the eVisitor is the visa you want.

What it allows

• Multiple entries to Australia for up to 12 months from grant date.
• Each visit can be up to 3 months long.
• Tourist activities, visiting family or friends, attending business meetings, conferences, or short courses.
• NOT work — paid work is not allowed under the eVisitor.

How to apply for the eVisitor

1. Go to immi.homeaffairs.gov.au (the official Department of Home Affairs site).
2. Find the eVisitor (subclass 651) page and follow its application instructions.
3. Create an ImmiAccount (free).
4. Fill in personal details, passport information, and travel plans.
5. Declare any criminal history or prior visa refusals honestly.
6. Submit the form. No payment required.
7. Wait for your grant notification before you travel.

You do not need to print or bring anything: the visa is electronically linked to your passport. Border staff will see it when they scan you on arrival.

Electronic Travel Authority (ETA, subclass 601)

The Electronic Travel Authority is the equivalent of the eVisitor for non-European countries that have a visa cooperation agreement with Australia. It costs A$20 (a service fee, not a visa fee) and is applied for via a mobile app.

Who is eligible for the ETA

Passport holders from these countries are ETA-eligible:

• United States, Canada
• Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong (SAR), Macao (SAR)
• Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei
• The full list is published on the Department of Home Affairs website and updates periodically.

What the ETA allows

• Multiple entries to Australia for 12 months from grant date, unless the passport it is linked to expires or is replaced first, which ends the ETA.
• Each visit up to 3 months long.
• Tourist, business visitor, or family-visit activities.
• NOT work — paid employment is prohibited.

How to apply for the ETA

The ETA can only be applied for through one official channel: the Australian ETA mobile app, available free on the Apple App Store and Google Play. There is no website application route. Beware of third-party “ETA” websites: unofficial sites add their own fees on top of the A$20, so use the official app.

1. Download the official Australian ETA app from the Apple App Store or Google Play (publisher: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs).
2. Open the app and follow the verification process — it will scan your passport’s chip via NFC.
3. Take a selfie inside the app for biometric verification.
4. Enter travel and personal details. Pay the A$20 fee with credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
5. Wait for the outcome notification before you fly.

Your ETA is now electronically linked to the passport you scanned. Do not leave the country and re-enter on a different passport.

Visitor Visa (subclass 600)

For passport holders not eligible for either the eVisitor or the ETA — including most travellers from China, India, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America — the Visitor Visa subclass 600 is the standard tourist option.

Visitor Visa streams

• Tourist stream — for holiday or visiting family. Most common.
• Business Visitor stream — for short business meetings or conferences.
• Sponsored Family stream — sponsored by an Australian relative.
• Approved Destination Status (ADS) stream — for Chinese citizens travelling in approved tour groups.
• Frequent Traveller stream — for repeat visitors; check Home Affairs for which passports qualify and how long it is granted for.

Visitor Visa cost and processing

Application fee in 2026: from A$250 for the Tourist stream applied for outside Australia; the Home Affairs pricing estimator gives the Frequent Traveller charge. Processing time can be anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on country of application and individual circumstances. The Department of Home Affairs publishes current processing times for each visa in its online processing-time guide, so check it before you set your travel dates.

Documents typically required

• Passport bio page scan (the passport must be valid for your entry to and departure from Australia).
• Passport-style photo (digital).
• Travel itinerary including return flight.
• Hotel bookings or letter of invitation from Australian host.
• Bank statements showing sufficient funds.
• Employment letter / proof of strong ties to home country.
• Health insurance is recommended though not always required.

Apply at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au via ImmiAccount. Once submitted, do not book non-refundable flights until you receive the grant notification.

Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 / 462)

For young travellers wanting to combine a Melbourne visit with paid work, the Working Holiday visa is the right pathway. Subclass 417 is for citizens of UK, Ireland, Canada, Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and a few others. Subclass 462 is for citizens of the US, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and others.

Working Holiday eligibility

• Aged 18–30 (up to 35 for some passport holders; check Home Affairs for yours).
• Holding a passport from an eligible country.
• Sufficient funds (typically A$5,000) plus return flight money.
• No dependent children accompanying.
• Not previously holding a Working Holiday visa (or eligible for second/third extensions via regional work).

What the Working Holiday allows

• 12 months in Australia, with multiple entries.
• Paid work, generally for no more than 6 months with any one employer (exceptions can apply).
• Up to 4 months of study.
• Eligible for second and third 12-month extensions via specified regional or critical-industry work.

Cost: check the current charge on the Home Affairs Working Holiday visa page. Apply via ImmiAccount. Processing times vary from case to case.

Other visa types relevant to Melbourne visitors

• Student Visa (subclass 500) — A$1,840+, for enrolled study at Australian institutions. Allows part-time work.
• Transit Visa (subclass 771) — free, for layovers under 72 hours where you must leave the airport.
• Visitor Sponsored Family Visa (subclass 600 sponsored stream) — for visiting Australian relatives, with formal sponsorship.

Australia visa requirements: passport conditions

Whichever visa you apply for, your passport must:

• Be valid for the entire duration of your stay (and ideally 6 months beyond).
• Have blank pages spare if your airline or any transit country asks for them.
• Be the same passport you apply with — Australian visas are linked to a specific passport number, not to you as a person. If you renew your passport, an ETA linked to the old one ends and you need to apply for a new ETA; for any other visa, check on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au what to do.
• Have a chip for SmartGate eligibility (most modern passports do).

At Melbourne Airport, SmartGate self-service kiosks are available to ePassport holders from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and others. Check eligibility before flying.

Common mistakes that delay or sink visa applications

• Applying through agent sites for the ETA — pay only the official A$20 in the Australian ETA app. Agent sites add their own fees on top.
• Wrong visa subclass — if you hold an eligible European passport and plan a visit of up to 3 months, the free eVisitor is usually the one to apply for; longer stays need a different visa, such as the Visitor Visa.
• Lying on the form — even minor undeclared traffic offences from years ago can cause refusals.
• Booking flights before grant — visas are usually fast but never guaranteed. Book refundable until granted.
• Wrong passport details — typos in the passport number void the visa.
• Renewing your passport without a new ETA — an ETA is linked to a specific passport number, so after renewing you apply for a new one.
• Applying too late — although ETAs and eVisitors are usually fast, technical issues can delay grants. Apply well before flying.

Useful related guides

Once your visa is sorted, dive deeper into trip planning with our Melbourne travel guide, our Melbourne Airport to city transport guide, and our Melbourne on a budget resource.

Australia visa requirements at a glance: comparison table

Visa	Cost (2026)	Stay length	Validity	Application channel	Work allowed?
eVisitor (subclass 651)	Free	3 months/visit	12 months	immi.homeaffairs.gov.au	No
ETA (subclass 601)	A$20	3 months/visit	12 months	Australian ETA app only	No
Visitor Visa Tourist (subclass 600)	From A$250	up to 12 months	varies	ImmiAccount	No
Working Holiday (417/462)	See Home Affairs	12 months (extendable)	12 months from grant	ImmiAccount	Yes (limited)
Student (subclass 500)	A$1,840+	course duration	course duration	ImmiAccount	Limited (generally 48 hrs/fortnight in term)
Transit (subclass 771)	Free	72 hours	see grant notice	ImmiAccount	No

Australia visa requirements by country: full eligibility list

eVisitor-eligible countries (free visa)

If you hold a passport from any of the following 35+ countries, the eVisitor (subclass 651) is your visa. It’s free and applied for online via immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.

• All 27 European Union member states (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden).
• United Kingdom (and British National (Overseas) passports).
• Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein.
• Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City.

ETA-eligible countries (A$20 visa)

If you hold a passport from one of these countries, the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) is your visa. Apply through the official Australian ETA app; the fee is A$20.

• United States, Canada.
• Japan, South Korea, Taiwan.
• Hong Kong (SAR), Macao (SAR).
• Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei.

Visitor Visa subclass 600 (everyone else)

If your passport is not on the eVisitor or ETA list, you’ll apply for the Visitor Visa subclass 600. This includes citizens of China (mainland), India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe outside the EU, and Latin America. Applications made outside Australia in the Tourist stream start at A$250.

How to apply for an Australia visa: step-by-step walkthrough

eVisitor step-by-step

1. Go to immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and create an ImmiAccount.
2. Open the eVisitor (subclass 651) listing and start the application from there.
3. Fill in passport bio data exactly as shown on your passport. Double-check the passport number.
4. Provide travel dates and Australian address (hotel name and address is fine).
5. Answer character questions. If you’ve ever been arrested, charged, or convicted, declare it — even minor offences and even if dismissed.
6. Declare any health conditions that may affect Australian citizens (TB, etc.) — usually nothing to declare.
7. Submit. No payment required.
8. You’ll be told the outcome once your application is decided.

ETA step-by-step

1. Download the official “Australian ETA” app on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Verify the publisher is “Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.”
2. Open the app. Tap “New ETA application.”
3. Scan your passport’s chip via NFC (hold your passport to the back of the phone).
4. Take a selfie within the app for biometric verification — bright lighting, no glasses, no smile.
5. Complete the personal-detail form — same name, date of birth, address as on your passport.
6. Pay A$20 with credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
7. Wait for the result before you book anything non-refundable.

Visitor Visa subclass 600 step-by-step

1. Go to immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and create an ImmiAccount (free).
2. Click “New application” → “Visitor” → “Tourist stream.”
3. Complete the multi-page online form. Save progress as you go.
4. Upload supporting documents:

• Passport bio page scan (clear, in colour).
• Recent passport-style photo (digital).
• Travel itinerary including return flight.
• Hotel bookings or letter of invitation from Australian host.
• Bank statements showing 3 months of activity and sufficient balance (typically A$5,000+).
• Employment letter or proof of strong ties to home country (property, family responsibilities).
• For sponsored applications: Form 1149 from the Australian sponsor.

5. Pay the fee: from A$250 in the Tourist stream applied for outside Australia, or higher for non-Tourist streams.
6. Submit. Processing takes a few days to several weeks.
7. Track via ImmiAccount. You may be asked for additional documents.
8. Once granted, your visa is electronically linked to your passport.

Common Australia visa rejection reasons (and how to avoid them)

• Insufficient ties to home country — the case officer believes you may not return. Mitigate by providing employment letters, property documents, family commitments, evidence of returned from previous overseas trips.
• Insufficient funds — bank statements show too low a balance, or unexplained large deposits. A$5,000+ in stable balance is a safe baseline.
• Inconsistent or incomplete information — names, dates, employment history must match across the form, your passport, and supporting documents.
• Undeclared criminal history — even minor undisclosed offences cause rejection. Always declare.
• Fraudulent or fake documents — bogus documents or false information can lead to refusal and an exclusion period from further visas.
• Health concerns — TB-affected countries may require chest x-rays before grant.
• Previous visa overstay or breach — instant denial of new visas typically applies.
• Suspected work intent — Visitor Visas are tourism only; if your application looks employment-seeking, you may be denied.

What to do if your Australia visa is denied

• Read the rejection letter carefully — it identifies the specific clause that triggered the denial.
• For most tourist visa rejections, you can re-apply immediately with stronger supporting documents addressing the rejection reason.
• For some rejections (PIC 4020 — fraud), there’s a 3-year exclusion period.
• You may be able to seek review through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) for some refusals — but this is expensive and slow.
• Migration agents (registered with the MARA) can help with complex cases for A$1,500–A$5,000 — only use registered MARA agents, never unregistered “consultants.”

Travelling to Australia with children

• Every child needs their own visa, regardless of age — including infants.
• Children apply on the same forms (eVisitor, ETA, Visitor Visa) as adults; the fee structure is identical.
• Eligible children travelling with a parent or legal guardian can use the arrivals SmartGates at Melbourne Airport.
• Single-parent travellers may be asked to show a notarised consent letter from the absent parent.
• Children on a parent’s passport (uncommon but legal in some countries) can travel on the parent’s eVisitor or ETA, but the app-based ETA may have technical issues with this — apply early.
• For Visitor Visa subclass 600, each child needs a separate application, with the documents requested for their circumstances.

Dual nationals and Australia visa requirements

If you have two passports, you can choose which to enter Australia on — this matters because eligibility differs by passport. Example: a US-British dual national can use the free eVisitor (better than the A$20 ETA on the US passport). Once you enter on a specific passport, that’s the passport linked to your visa — keep that passport for your entire trip and exit on the same one. You cannot switch mid-trip.

Transit visa (subclass 771) for short Australia layovers

If you’re transiting through Australia for under 8 hours and remain airside (in the international transit area without clearing immigration), you may not need a visa, but that depends on your eligibility: check Home Affairs and the airport’s transit facilities before you travel. If your transit means clearing immigration — for example, to reclaim luggage or change between Melbourne Airport’s domestic and international terminals — you need a visa that lets you enter, and a Transit Visa (subclass 771) for stays of up to 72 hours is one option. It’s free and applied for online via ImmiAccount. Most leisure travellers will simply use the eVisitor or ETA for short stays instead.

Biometric data, SmartGate, and arrival in Melbourne

Australian visas are linked to your passport biometrics. On arrival at Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine), ePassport holders from eligible countries can use SmartGate self-service kiosks — they scan your passport, take a photo and match it against your biometric data. SmartGate is available to passport holders from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, and others (the eligibility list updates periodically). Children can use SmartGate too, as long as they have an ePassport and are travelling with a parent or legal guardian.

Visitor Visa subclass 600 applicants may be asked to provide biometric data (fingerprints and photo) at an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) before grant. Check your ImmiAccount messages for instructions.

Health requirements for Australia visa

• Most visitors do not need a health examination for short tourist stays.
• Some visitors need a chest x-ray or other health examination, depending on TB risk, how long they plan to stay and their circumstances; the Home Affairs health examination table sets out who needs which.
• Visitors with serious medical conditions that may require Australian healthcare may be required to demonstrate insurance.
• Pregnancy-related travel: check your airline’s policy before you book.
• Yellow Fever vaccination certificate may be required if you’ve been to a yellow-fever country in the past 6 days.

Renewing a passport while holding an Australia visa

Australian visas are linked to a specific passport number, not to the person. If you renew your passport, the visa does not automatically transfer. You must update your passport number in your ImmiAccount via the “VEVO” (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) update form. Allow time for Home Affairs to link the new passport to your visa before you fly. An ETA can’t be moved to a new passport: apply for a new ETA instead. Failure to update means the airline will deny boarding at check-in. If you’re at the airport already with a new passport not linked to your visa, you can sometimes update at an Australian airport — but it’s a panic-inducing situation, so update before flying.

Visa overstays and consequences

• Visitors who overstay their visa become “unlawful non-citizens” and can be detained and deported.
• Overstaying by more than 28 days and then leaving Australia can trigger a 3-year exclusion period; shorter overstays generally do not.
• If you overstay accidentally (illness, missed flight), contact the Department of Home Affairs immediately — voluntary disclosure is treated more leniently.
• Bridging visas may be granted in genuine emergencies (medical, family death) but require evidence and application.

Avoiding fake “Australia visa” agent websites

The single most common mistake we see is applicants paying third-party agent websites to “process” an ETA or eVisitor on your behalf. These unofficial sites charge their own fees for filling in the same form you can complete yourself. Always:

• Use only the official websites: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au for eVisitor and Visitor Visa, and the official Australian ETA app for the ETA.
• The official app’s publisher is “Australian Government Department of Home Affairs” — verify this in the app store before downloading.
• The official ETA fee is A$20 service fee. Anything higher (A$50, A$75, A$120) is an agent surcharge.
• Sponsored search results on Google often promote agent sites; the official site is in the organic results, marked “homeaffairs.gov.au.”

Australia visa for cruise passengers

Cruise ship passengers visiting Australian ports (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle) need a valid visa just like air arrivals — there is no special “cruise visa” exception. eVisitor and ETA holders can simply use those for cruise visits. The cruise line generally checks visas at boarding; bring printed copies of your visa grant notice as a backup.

Australia visa application processing times in 2026

• Current times: look up your visa in the Home Affairs processing-time guide before you fix your travel dates.
• eVisitor and ETA: no grant time is guaranteed, so leave a margin before you fly.
• Visitor Visa Tourist stream: country of application affects timeline.
• Working Holiday and Student Visa: times vary from case to case.

Related Melbourne guides

• Melbourne Travel Guide
• Things to Do in Melbourne
• Best Time to Visit Melbourne
• Where to Stay in Melbourne
• Melbourne Public Transport Guide
• 15 Best Day Trips from Melbourne
• First Time Visiting Melbourne: Essential Tips to Know
• 7-Day Melbourne Itinerary: City, Coast & Wine Country