Australia Visa for Tourists 2026: ETA, eVisitor & Subclass 600

Working out which australia visa for tourists you need is the single most important step in planning a trip to Sydney — and one that catches more travellers off-guard than any other. Australia expects visitors to sort this out before they fly: US, UK, EU, Canadian and Japanese passport holders all need the right visa, usually an electronic one, before boarding the plane. This 2026 guide explains every australia visa for tourists option in plain language, what each costs, how long they take to issue, common pitfalls, and the practical workflow to get yours sorted in under 30 minutes.

01Do you need a visa to visit Sydney?

Yes. Australia requires every non-citizen, non-permanent-resident to hold a valid visa for tourist entry. New Zealand citizens are the exception: they can be granted a Special Category Visa (subclass 444) if they meet its eligibility and character requirements. Every other nationality — including all US, UK, EU, Canadian, Japanese, Korean, Singaporean, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Brazilian and African passport holders — must apply for an australia visa for tourists before travel.

This includes transit-only travellers if you plan to leave the airport during a stopover, and infants and children regardless of age. Every passport in your travelling group needs its own visa.

02The 4 main australia visa for tourists options

There are four main visa subclasses used by international tourists visiting Sydney:

1. eVisitor (subclass 651)

Free electronic visa for citizens of 36 European countries. Allows multiple visits of up to 3 months at a time, valid for 12 months from grant date. Apply online via the official Australian Department of Home Affairs immi.homeaffairs.gov.au portal. Typically approved in minutes to 24 hours. Available to passport holders from the UK, all EU member states, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Andorra and Vatican City.

2. Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601 — ETA)

No visa application charge, just an AU$20 service fee in the Australian ETA app. The most common australia visa for tourists from non-European Western countries. Allows multiple 3-month visits within a 12-month validity. The Australian ETA app (iOS/Android) is the only place to apply. Available to passport holders from the USA, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, Brunei, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and a few others.

3. Visitor visa (subclass 600 — Tourist Stream)

From AU$250 for the Tourist stream when you apply outside Australia. For nationalities NOT eligible for eVisitor or ETA — including China, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Russia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, South Africa and most African, Middle Eastern and South American countries. Apply via the Australian Department of Home Affairs immi portal. Processing times vary, and the Department’s processing-time guide shows recent decision times (a guide only, not a prediction for your application). Allows stays of up to 12 months; your grant notice sets how long you may stay.

4. Working Holiday visa (subclass 417 or 462)

For travellers aged 18–35 (some countries 18–30) from eligible countries who want to work in Australia for up to 12 months. Not strictly a tourist visa but heavily used for extended Sydney stays by gap-year and travelling-pro visitors. The application charge changes, so check the current amount with the Department of Home Affairs before you apply.

03Which australia visa for tourists do you need? By country

Quick lookup by passport nationality (always confirm at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au):

USA: ETA (subclass 601)

UK: eVisitor (subclass 651)

Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, etc.: eVisitor (subclass 651)

Canada: ETA (subclass 601)

Japan: ETA (subclass 601)

South Korea: ETA (subclass 601)

Singapore: ETA (subclass 601)

Hong Kong SAR: ETA (subclass 601)

Taiwan: ETA (subclass 601)

Malaysia: ETA (subclass 601)

Brunei: ETA (subclass 601)

China (PRC): Visitor visa subclass 600

India: Visitor visa subclass 600

Indonesia: Visitor visa subclass 600

Vietnam: Visitor visa subclass 600

Thailand: Visitor visa subclass 600

Philippines: Visitor visa subclass 600

Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile: Visitor visa subclass 600

South Africa: Visitor visa subclass 600

UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar: Visitor visa subclass 600

New Zealand: Special Category visa (subclass 444) for eligible NZ citizens, subject to character requirements.

04How to apply for an australia visa for tourists

For eVisitor (subclass 651)

1. Visit immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and create an ImmiAccount.
2. Select “eVisitor (subclass 651)” application.
3. Complete biographical, travel, and security questions.
4. Submit (no fee).
5. Receive grant notification by email — typically minutes to 24 hours.
6. Print or save the grant letter (some airlines may request it).

For ETA (subclass 601)

1. Download the official “Australian ETA” app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
2. Scan your passport photo page.
3. Take a selfie matching your passport.
4. Complete biographical and travel questions.
5. Pay the AU$20 service fee in the app (there is no visa application charge).
6. Receive grant notification — typically minutes to 24 hours.
7. Visa stored electronically against your passport (no print-out needed).

For Visitor visa (subclass 600)

1. Visit immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and create an ImmiAccount.
2. Select “Visitor visa (subclass 600)” application.
3. Complete biographical, family, employment, financial and travel questions.
4. Upload your passport identity pages and the supporting documents your circumstances call for — financial records, travel plans and evidence of your reasons to return home are typical examples. Adequate health insurance is strongly recommended.
5. Pay the application charge (from AU$250 for the Tourist stream outside Australia).
6. Optional biometrics appointment at a Visa Application Centre.
7. Wait for grant notification; decision times differ from one application to the next.
8. Print or save grant letter.

05How long does an australia visa for tourists take?

Processing times depend on the visa subclass:

• eVisitor (651): Minutes to 24 hours typically.
• ETA (601): Minutes to 24 hours typically.
• Visitor visa (600): varies with each application, so allow plenty of time.
• Working Holiday: processing times vary.

Apply early — at least 4–8 weeks before travel for Visitor visa applicants. The Department of Home Affairs publishes current processing times at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times.

06How long can you stay in Sydney on a tourist visa?

Stay periods depend on the visa:

• eVisitor: Up to 3 months per visit, multiple visits within 12-month validity.
• ETA: Up to 3 months per visit, multiple visits within 12-month validity.
• Visitor visa (subclass 600): up to 12 months when you apply from outside Australia; your grant notice states the stay you are allowed.
• Working Holiday: 12 months on a first visa. Eligible holders can apply for a second and third visa, up to three years in total, and most need to complete specified work to qualify.

07What documents do you need for an australia visa for tourists?

For eVisitor and ETA you need surprisingly little — just your passport biographical details and a few travel questions. For the Visitor visa (subclass 600), the documentation requirements are more extensive:

1. Valid passport (Australia sets no six-month validity rule, though airlines and transit countries may).
2. Passport-style digital photo.
3. Evidence of funds, such as itemised personal bank statements covering three months.
4. Employment letter or evidence of self-employment.
5. Confirmed accommodation booking or invitation from Australian relative.
6. Return or onward ticket.
7. Travel insurance (recommended; required for some applicants).
8. Statement of intent (single-page travel plan).
9. Previous visa refusals disclosure.
10. Health and character declarations.

08Common reasons an australia visa for tourists is refused

Applications do get refused, and most refusals come down to a handful of avoidable problems. Common refusal reasons:

1. Insufficient funds. You may be asked for bank statements showing you can pay for your stay, so keep recent ones to hand.
2. Lack of ties to home country. No employment, no property, no family — Department fears overstay.
3. Inconsistent answers. Travel dates, accommodation, or employment details that conflict with documents.
4. Previous immigration breaches. Past overstays or refusals anywhere.
5. Health concerns. Specific conditions can trigger additional medical examination.
6. Character issues. Any criminal conviction must be declared, and every applicant is assessed against the character requirements.
7. Genuine visitor test failure. Department doubts the applicant truly intends to visit and leave.

09Common mistakes when applying for an australia visa for tourists

1. Using unofficial websites that charge fees for free or cheaper visas. Apply only at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au or via the official Australian ETA app.
2. Not allowing enough processing time. Apply 4+ weeks ahead for Visitor visa; 1+ week ahead for ETA/eVisitor.
3. Ignoring your airline’s passport rules. Australia has no six-month minimum, but your airline or a transit country may; renew first if they require it.
4. Submitting without translation. Non-English documents need certified translations.
5. Mismatched passport details. Apply with the passport you will actually travel on.
6. Misrepresenting employment or finances. False information or bogus documents can lead to refusal and an exclusion period from further visas.

10Can you extend an australia visa for tourists from inside Sydney?

It depends on your current visa. You may be able to apply for another Visitor visa (subclass 600) from inside Australia before your current one expires, if its conditions allow a further stay and you meet the onshore Tourist stream’s eligibility rules. Check those conditions first, then whether a bridging visa would cover you while the application is processed, and look up the charge in the Department’s pricing estimator. The Department of Home Affairs increasingly scrutinises repeat extensions; demonstrate continued genuine tourist intent.

11How much does an australia visa for tourists cost?

Indicative fees for 2026 (all in AUD):

• eVisitor (651): Free.
• ETA (601): AU$20 service fee in the Australian ETA app; no visa application charge.
• Visitor visa (600): from AU$250 (Tourist stream, applied for outside Australia).
• Visitor visa (600) family applicant: AU$105 each.
• Working Holiday (417/462): AU$650.
• Medical examination (if requested): AU$300–500 (varies by country).
• Biometrics (if requested): AU$150 approximately (varies).

12Australia travel insurance requirements

Travel insurance is not strictly required for an australia visa for tourists for most applicants but is strongly recommended. Australia has a reciprocal Medicare agreement with the UK, New Zealand, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Finland, Italy, Malta, Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovenia — citizens of those countries can use Medicare for essential treatment. Other nationalities pay private rates ranging from AU$200 for a GP visit to AU$3,000+ per day for hospital stays. Comprehensive travel insurance covers medical evacuation, lost luggage, trip cancellation and personal liability. Plan for AU$80–250 per person per trip for standard coverage.

13Arrival in Sydney with a tourist visa

At Sydney Airport, follow these steps:

1. Complete the paper Incoming Passenger Card before you reach immigration.
2. SmartGate (e-passports) — most travellers from ETA, eVisitor and similar visa subclasses can use the automated SmartGate.
3. Standard passport control for those not eligible for SmartGate.
4. Customs and biosecurity declarations — declare all food, plant and animal products. Heavy fines for non-declaration.
5. Baggage claim at the main terminal.
6. Train, taxi, rideshare or bus to your accommodation.

Allow 60–90 minutes from landing to leaving the terminal in peak season; 30–60 minutes off-peak.

14Working on an australia visa for tourists

Tourist visas (eVisitor, ETA, Visitor visa) explicitly do NOT permit paid work. Volunteering with a registered charity is allowed; brief informal “helping out” at hostels is typically tolerated. Paid work — including remote work for a foreign employer — falls into a grey zone. Most Department of Home Affairs interpretations now allow short-term remote work for foreign employers during a tourist visit, but this is an emerging area; check the latest Department guidance before relying on it.

15Australia visa for tourists for travelling with children

Every child needs their own visa — there is no “family visa” combined application. For an ETA or eVisitor, this means a separate application per child: AU$20 for the ETA app’s service fee, or free for an eVisitor. Visitor visas work the same way, with one application per family member; the Department’s pricing estimator gives the charge for each applicant. Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or have signed authorisation from a parent.

16Frequently asked questions about australia visa for tourists

17Australia visa for tourists post-pandemic update

Answer any health questions in your visa application as they are set out there. Vaccination is not required for entry. The COVID-era Digital Passenger Declaration was dropped on 6 July 2022, and arriving passengers still fill in the paper Incoming Passenger Card; the Australia Travel Declaration is due to replace it at all international airports and seaports before the end of 2027. Since 21 February 2022, ETA applications have been made only through the Australian ETA app.

18Final word on the australia visa for tourists

Getting the right australia visa for tourists is straightforward once you identify which subclass applies to your passport. Most Western travellers qualify for the low-cost eVisitor or ETA, both with 12 months of multi-entry validity. The Visitor visa subclass 600 for other nationalities takes more documentation and time but is well-documented at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Apply at least 4 weeks before your planned trip, use only the official Department of Home Affairs channels, and Sydney’s gates open without friction.

19Helpful resources for planning your Sydney trip

For the very latest information on opening hours, ticketing and transport, the following official resources are kept up to date:

• Department of Home Affairs visas
• Australian ETA
• eVisitor 651
• Visitor visa 600
• Smart Traveller Australia
• Tourism Australia visas

Once your visa is sorted, the next hurdle is the arrivals process itself: SmartGates, biosecurity declarations and, for many visitors, a transfer to a domestic flight on the other side of the airfield. Our Sydney Airport guide sets out realistic connection times from T1 International.

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