Destination Guides > Australia > Travel Essentials > Entry Requirements > Tourist Visas
Tourist Visas
Everyone except New Zealanders requires a visa to visit Australia.
There are two types of tourist visa issued to visitors to Australia. Most visitors are issued with an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), however citizens of some countries must apply for an old fashioned stamp in their passport that is valid for visits of either three or six months and costs $75.
See the Working in Australia section later in this chapter for information on work visas.
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
If you are planning on visiting Australia on a three-month tourist visa you may be given an electronic visa known as an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). The majority of tourist visas issued to visitors to Australia are ETAs. An ETA is similar to a visa, however there is no stamp in your passport and you do not need to visit an Australian embassy, consulate or high commission to get your ETA.
ETAs are issued to citizens of the following countries: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vatican City .
Most applications for ETAs are submitted through travel agents or airlines but you can also apply for them online. Online applications can be made directly at the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs’ website (www.eta.immi.gov.au) for $20, which is charged even if your application is unsuccessful. Alternatively you can apply for an ETA through the Australian Visas website (www.australiavisas.com), which costs US$18.
ETAs are issued within a few seconds from making an application, either online or through a travel agent, however in rare cases you may be asked to provide additional information before an ETA is issued.
