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 operates one of the world’s strictest visa frameworks: even most US, UK, EU, Canadian and Japanese passport holders need to apply for an electronic visa before boarding the plane, and arriving without one means being turned around at the gate. 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.

Do you need a visa to visit Sydney?

Yes. Australia requires every non-citizen, non-permanent-resident to hold a valid visa for tourist entry. The only exception is New Zealand passport holders, who receive an automatic Special Category Visa (subclass 444) on arrival. 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.

The 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 35 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)

AU$20 application fee + AU$20 service fee. The most common australia visa for tourists from non-European Western countries. Allows multiple 3-month visits within a 12-month validity. Apply via the Australian ETA app (iOS/Android) or through a registered travel agent. 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)

AU$210 application fee (2026 rate). 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: 5–28 days for most applicants; up to 60 days in busy periods. Allows up to 3, 6 or 12-month stays depending on grant.

4. Working Holiday visa (subclass 417 or 462)

AU$650 application fee. 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.

Which 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: No advance visa needed — Special Category 444 granted on arrival.

How to apply for an australia visa for tourists

For eVisitor (subclass 651)

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

For ETA (subclass 601)

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

For Visitor visa (subclass 600)

Visit immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and create an ImmiAccount.
Select “Visitor visa (subclass 600)” application.
Complete biographical, family, employment, financial and travel questions.
Upload supporting documents — passport bio page, photo, bank statements (3 months), employment letter, accommodation booking, travel insurance, return ticket.
Pay AU$210 application fee.
Optional biometrics appointment at a Visa Application Centre.
Wait 5–28 days for grant notification.
Print or save grant letter.

How 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): 5–28 days for 75% of applicants; up to 60 days for complex cases.
Working Holiday: 1–60 days depending on country.

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.

How 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): 3, 6 or 12-month stays (granted at the discretion of the Department of Home Affairs based on application strength).
Working Holiday: 12 months, extendable to 24 (and 36 for some Pacific Islands nationalities) if you complete specific regional work.

What 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:

Valid passport with 6 months remaining beyond your planned exit.
Passport-style digital photo.
Recent bank statements (3–6 months).
Employment letter or evidence of self-employment.
Confirmed accommodation booking or invitation from Australian relative.
Return or onward ticket.
Travel insurance (recommended; required for some applicants).
Statement of intent (single-page travel plan).
Previous visa refusals disclosure.
Health and character declarations.

Common reasons an australia visa for tourists is refused

Refusal rates are higher than most applicants realise — around 5–8% globally, much higher (15–25%) for high-risk countries. Common refusal reasons:

Insufficient funds. The Department wants to see AU$1,000–1,500 per month of planned stay in your bank statements.
Lack of ties to home country. No employment, no property, no family — Department fears overstay.
Inconsistent answers. Travel dates, accommodation, or employment details that conflict with documents.
Previous immigration breaches. Past overstays or refusals anywhere.
Health concerns. Specific conditions can trigger additional medical examination.
Character issues. Criminal record disclosure required; serious offences typically result in refusal.
Genuine visitor test failure. Department doubts the applicant truly intends to visit and leave.

Common mistakes when applying for an australia visa for tourists

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.
Not allowing enough processing time. Apply 4+ weeks ahead for Visitor visa; 1+ week ahead for ETA/eVisitor.
Letting passport expire within 6 months. Renew first if needed.
Submitting without translation. Non-English documents need certified translations.
Mismatched passport details. Apply with the passport you will actually travel on.
Misrepresenting employment or finances. Misrepresentation is automatic 3-year ban.

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

Yes — you can apply for a further Visitor visa (subclass 600) from inside Australia before your current visa expires. This grants you Bridging Visa A status while the new application is processed (typically 28–90 days). Multiple extensions are possible but each extension carries an additional AU$210 fee. The Department of Home Affairs increasingly scrutinises repeat extensions; demonstrate continued genuine tourist intent.

How much does an australia visa for tourists cost?

Indicative fees for 2026 (all in AUD):

eVisitor (651): Free.
ETA (601): AU$20 visa fee + AU$20 service fee = AU$40 total.
Visitor visa (600): AU$210.
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).

Australia 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.

Arrival in Sydney with a tourist visa

At Sydney Airport, follow these steps:

Complete the Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) via the Australian app before landing (covers health and customs).
SmartGate (e-passports) — most travellers from ETA, eVisitor and similar visa subclasses can use the automated SmartGate.
Standard passport control for those not eligible for SmartGate.
Customs and biosecurity declarations — declare all food, plant and animal products. Heavy fines for non-declaration.
Baggage claim at the main terminal.
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.

Working 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.

Australia 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 AU$40 (ETA) or free (eVisitor) application per child. For Visitor visas, the child rate of AU$105 each applies. Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or have signed authorisation from a parent.

Frequently asked questions about australia visa for tourists

Do I need a visa to visit Sydney?

Yes, unless you are a New Zealand passport holder (automatic Special Category 444). All other nationalities need to apply for eVisitor (Europeans), ETA (USA/Canada/Japan/Korea/Singapore/Malaysia/Hong Kong/Taiwan) or Visitor visa (subclass 600) for other nationalities.

How much does an Australian tourist visa cost?

eVisitor is free. ETA is AU$40 (AU$20 + AU$20 service fee). Visitor visa is AU$210. Working Holiday is AU$650.

How long does an Australian tourist visa last?

eVisitor and ETA: 12 months validity, 3-month stays per visit. Visitor visa: 3, 6 or 12-month stays granted at discretion.

Can I work on an Australian tourist visa?

No — paid work is not permitted on tourist visas. Volunteering is allowed. Working Holiday visa is the option for tourists wanting to also work.

How long does it take to get an Australian tourist visa?

eVisitor and ETA: minutes to 24 hours. Visitor visa: 5–28 days for most applicants. Apply 4+ weeks before travel for safety.

Do I need to print my Australian visa?

No — visas are electronic and linked to your passport number. Some travellers print the grant letter as backup for airline check-in, but it is not strictly required.

Australia visa for tourists post-pandemic update

Since 2024, all Australian visa applications include an automated health declaration replacing the COVID-era requirements. Vaccination is not required for entry. The Digital Passenger Declaration replaced paper forms in late 2022. ETA application via mobile app replaced the previous tax-paid web portal in 2023. Visitor visa processing times have generally improved since 2023 but remain country-specific.

Final 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 fast, low-cost eVisitor or ETA — minutes to apply, days to grant, and 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.

Helpful 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:

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