Is the eVisitor really free?
Yes — AUD $0. There is no visa application charge and no service fee from the government.
My passport is not European. What do I need?
The ETA (subclass 601), which costs AUD $20 and is applied for through the official mobile app, not the website.
Can I apply while I am in Australia?
No. You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted.
Can I work?
No employment with an Australian employer. Business visitor activities are allowed.
Do children need their own eVisitor?
Yes — every traveller, including infants, on their own eligible passport.
Does the eVisitor guarantee entry?
No. The Australian Border Force officer decides on arrival.
What if I get a new passport?
Apply again with the new passport. It is free, so there is no cost to doing so.
More on the eVisitor
After you land
Your visa gets you on the plane. What comes after — SmartGate, cash, tax refunds, healthcare, driving, emergencies — checked against official sources.
Three months per visit
The eVisitor lasts twelve months, but each visit is capped at three months. The two numbers are separate, and mixing them up is the most common planning error.
Leaving and returning
Each entry restarts the three-month clock, but back-to-back visits attract questions, and the border officer can refuse entry.
At the border
Immigration, customs and biosecurity are three separate checks with different questions. Knowing which is which makes the queue much shorter.
Biosecurity
Undeclared biosecurity goods can bring a fine of up to twelve penalty units — and for visa holders, cancellation and a three-year exclusion.
Customs allowances
Adults may bring A$900 of general goods, 2.25 litres of alcohol and 25 grams of tobacco duty free. Above that, you must declare.