Fact Sheet 55 - The Electronic Travel Authority
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The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is an electronically stored authority for travel to Australia for short-term visits or business entry. It replaces the visa label or stamp in a passport and removes the need for application forms.
Most ETAs are issued immediately by computer links between the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, travel agents, airlines and specialist service providers around the world. In a small number of cases, some additional processing is required.
Background
The ETA system was introduced in 1996. It is available to passport holders from a number of countries, regions and locations.
The ETA system can be accessed by more than 300 000 travel agents worldwide, more than 75 airlines and through the Internet.
The types of ETA
There are three types of ETA:
ETA (Visitor) subclass 976
Allows for up to three months stay period on each visit within a 12-month period from the date of grant, or for the validity of the passport if it is less than 12 months (multiple entry).
ETA (Business Entrant - Short Validity) subclass 977
Allows for up to three months stay period on each visit within a 12-month period from the date of grant, or for the validity of the passport if it is less than 12 months (single or multiple entry).
ETA (Business Entrant - Long Validity) subclass 956
Allows for up to three months stay period on each visit for the validity of the passport (multiple entry).
Fees and charges for ETAs are available from the departmental website.
See: Tourist visa charges
How ETAs work
Service providers enter the information contained in the applicant's passport into the ETA system online or through their existing travel or airline reservation system.
The ETA system interacts with departmental systems to check the applicant’s details. Following these checks, the service provider is advised of the outcome of the ETA application.
If an ETA is granted, it is linked electronically to the applicant’s passport. If a 'referral' message is received instead, the service provider refers the applicant to the nearest Australian visa office.
No evidence of the ETA is needed, as it is electronically stored in the system. Airlines and travel agents participating in the ETA system can confirm its existence on behalf of travellers.
Online applications
Online access to the ETA system was introduced in May 2001. This enabled tourists and business travellers intending to visit Australia for three months or less to apply for a subclass 976 or subclass 977 ETA at the same time as they made their other online travel bookings.
Applications can be made online:
See: www.immi.gov.au
See also: www.eta.immi.gov.au
Note: A $A20 service fee will be incurred for online lodgement.
The subclass 956 ETA is not available online.
Applicants may also seek an ETA through their nearest Australian visa office.
ETAs cannot be granted, or extended, while the ETA applicant is in Australia.
From 27 October 2008 the new eVisitor system replaced online ETAs for all European ETA eligible travellers.
See: eVisitors
For ETA eligible passports:
See: ETA eligibility
For eVisitor eligible passports:
See: eVisitor eligibility
Benefits
ETA arrangements provide significant benefits to travellers, as well as airlines and the Australian Government.
Travellers benefit as the ETA provides a seamless process for providing authority to travel to Australia from places where airline tickets are obtained.
Travellers also enjoy faster processing at airports.
Airlines benefit by utilising computer systems to verify that travellers have authority to enter Australia before issuing their boarding passes. This saves airline staff time at the check-in counter and reduces their likelihood of transporting improperly documented passengers.
The Australian Government benefits by gaining access to data on all travellers to Australia. This supports maintenance of Australian border integrity by law enforcement and health authorities.
Further information is available on the department's web site.
See: www.immi.gov.au
The department also operates a national telephone service inquiry line.
Telephone: 131 881
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm (recorded information available outside these hours) for the cost of a local call anywhere in Australia.
Fact Sheet 55. Produced by the National Communications Branch, Department of
Immigration and Citizenship, Canberra.
Revised 27 October 2008.
© Commonwealth of Australia 2009.