Australian High Commission
Malaysia

Apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)

About ETAs

Lodge an ETA application

ETA application requires more information

About ETAs

ETAs are only available through the new Australian ETA app channel for all eligible jurisdictions.   

An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is an electronically stored authority equivalent to a visa, which is linked to a passport number.  If your passport has changed, you will need to apply for a new ETA: Subclass 601 Electronic Travel Authority (homeaffairs.gov.au)

The ETA allows eligible passport holders to visit Australia for tourism or business visitor activity. The ETA allows eligible non-citizens to  travel as many times as you want, for up to one year (or life of the passport - whichever is shorter), and stay up to three months for each visit.

ETAs are for short term tourism or business visitor activity. They are not designed to allow repeated extended stays in Australia for other purposes. Work in Australia is also not permitted on an ETA.

Apply early - at least 4 weeks in advance

Some applicants for an ETA may be asked to provide further information.

Therefore you must apply early and well before the intended date of travel - at least 4 weeks in advance. We recommend that you do not finalise travel arrangements or commitments until you have received advice that you have been granted a visa.

If you are asked to provide further information, you must provide this to us as soon as possible following the instructions below. Do not delay.

  • Do not finalise travel commitments until advised of a visa grant.
  • Due to the number of applications received, we cannot provide processing updates when applications have been lodged with insufficient time for processing.
  • We cannot expedite processing for cases unless for compelling reasons (pre-arranged travel is not a compelling reason and we are unable to respond to these requests).

Lodge an ETA application

We recommend that you lodge a visa application early - at least 4 weeks in advance. 

To lodge an application the Australian ETA app is the only available channel to apply for an ETA:  Subclass 601 Electronic Travel Authority (homeaffairs.gov.au).

You must lodge your ETA using the Australian ETA app

Each applicant for an ETA must apply using the app. If you need to lodge a new application, you must use the Australian ETA app to apply again.

If you have not received your ETA notification, check your emails (including your junk mail / spam folders) for a notification from us.  You can also confirm if your application has been approved by checking your visa status through the Australian ETA app or by using the Check an ETA function.

Steps for completing an ETA application

  1. Submit the ETA application using the Australian ETA app. You must lodge your ETA using the Australian ETA app.

  2. Wait for a notification. If you have not received your ETA notification, check your emails (including your junk mail / spam folders) for a notification from us.  You may need to wait up to 12 hours after applying to receive your notification.

  3. If you receive a letter by email requesting further information, please follow the directions in the letter.

  4. Log in or create your ImmiAccount (if you do not already have one).

  5. If you are travelling in a group or family group, use the Group ID function in the ETA (subclass 601) application form.

  6. Follow the steps to complete your ETA application.

  7. Attach Form 1554: ETA request for further processing and your supporting documents in ImmiAccount.

ETA application requires more information

If you receive a message indicating that your ETA application cannot be processed then you need to provide the Department of Home Affairs with further information. You can see a sample of the letter you will recieve by email here.

You must follow the directions in the letter sent to you by email to complete the ETA form online in ImmiAccount and attach all requested documents, including:
Form 1554: ETA request for further processing.

Provide as much information as possible as applications may be decided on the basis of material you provide. If you submit an incomplete request or you provide incorrect information, your application may be delayed or refused.

Supporting documents

1.

A copy of your passport biodata page (the page with the passport holder’s details and photo); and your national identity card (front and back)

2.

Information to show you genuinely intend to visit Australia temporarily for tourism or business visitor activity purposes only, which may include:

 

i.

Information about the reason for your visit to Australia including information about your intended stay and activities. Please provide any evidence of arrangements (such as accommodation bookings or airfares, noting you should not finalise such arrangements until you have received a visa)

 

ii.

You must provide a list of your immediate family members (including full names, dates of birth and their relationship to you). Immediate family members include partners, children, parents and siblings.

 

iii.

A list of other travelling companions (including full names, dates of birth and relationship to you).

 

iv.

A list of family, friends and contacts in Australia (including full names and dates of birth). Please indicate if they are Australian citizens or permanent residents.  If not, please indicate their visa status and reason for their stay in Australia.

 

v.

Bank statements showing at least the previous three months’ salary payments.

 

vi.

Evidence of your employment / commitments that demonstrate you have reasons to return home. This could be:

 

 

a.

An employer statement  indicating your annual salary and approved leave, or

 

 

b.

If you and/or your sponsor are self-employed, business registration documents and financial records for the business (such as recent bank statements and tax statements), or

 

 

c.

Other evidence of incentives to return such as ongoing education or other commitments in your home country.

 

 

If you are not employed, please provide other evidence from the person who supports you (including evidence of your relationship with that person).

 

Applications that do not include sufficient documents to show you genuinely intend to visit Australia temporarily may be decided on the basis of the information provided.

 

Once we have received your online form via ImmAccount, including Form 1554: ETA request for further processing , a copy of your passport biodata page and your other supporting documents, we will consider your application. We will send you an email once we have made a decision on your ETA application.

If your ETA is refused, you may lodge a new application and provide further evidence to address concerns (this must include the required information specified above). If you wish to lodge a new application, you must use the Australian ETA app.