Australia ETA (601) and eVisitor Visa (651)

Australia offers streamlined visitor visas for certain passport holders through the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (subclass 601) and the eVisitor visa (subclass 651). These visas allow short-term travel for tourism or business purposes. This page explains eligibility, approved countries and key conditions for each visa.

Common factors:

  • Tourist or business visitor activity
  • 4002, 4003, 4004, 4005, 4013, 4014, 4020
  • 5001, 5002
  • Mandatory: 8115, 8201, 8527, 8528
  • Nil charge

651 e-visitor

601 – ETA

  • Offshore for application and decision

  • 12 months multiple entry with 3 months stays


  • Offshore or in Immi Clearance for application and decision

  • 12 months multiple entry / 3 months stays unless passport expires before

  • Does NOT replace existing substantive visa, comes into effect after

  • If existing substantive visa longer than one year to go, sc601 never existed

  • If existing substantive cancelled before 601 is in effect, 601 is also cancelled
Relevant Passports:Relevant Passports:
AndorraAndorra
AustriaAustria
BelgiumBelgium
Bulgaria
Brunei
Canada
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
DenmarkDenmark
Estonia
FinlandFinland
FranceFrance
GermanyGermany
Hong Kong
Greece
Hungary
IcelandIceland
IrelandIreland
ItalyItaly
Japan
Korea (RK)
Latvia
LiechtensteinLiechtenstein
Lithuania
LuxembourgLuxembourg
Malaysia
MaltaMalta
MonacoMonaco
NetherlandsNetherlands
NorwayNorway
Poland
PortugalPortugal
Romania
San MarinoSan Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
SpainSpain
SwedenSweden
SwitzerlandSwitzerland
Taiwan
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United States
Vatican CityVatican City

What is the difference between the 601 and 651 visa?

Feature601 (ETA)651 (eVisitor)
ApplicationApp only Online
CountriesLimited (e.g. USA)Mostly EU
CostSmall feeFree
Stay3 months3 months

If you are not eligiable for an ETA or eVisitor visa, you may be eligiable for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) or a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 & 462).

* Please note that the information provided herein is of a general nature only and is not individual legal advice. Contact Us to assess your circumstances.

FAQs

Who can apply for an ETA (601) visa?

The ETA (subclass 601) visa is available to passport holders from select countries, including the United States, Canada and Japan.

Who can apply for an eVisitor (651) visa?

The eVisitor (subclass 651) visa is available to passport holders from most European countries.

What is the difference between an ETA and eVisitor visa?

The main difference is eligibility and application method. The ETA (601) is available to a smaller group of countries and is typically applied for via an app, while the eVisitor (651) is available to European passport holders and is applied for online.