Quick answer

Americans need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to visit Australia for tourism or business visits. The only way to apply is the official "Australian ETA" app from Australia's Department of Home Affairs, which costs AUD 20. An ETA is valid for 12 months, for multiple visits of up to 3 months each. Decisions are often quick, but apply well before you travel.

Use only the official app. Websites charging $50 to $100 or more for the same ETA aren't needed.

What Americans need to visit Australia

  • A valid U.S. passport with a chip (the app scans it), valid for your whole stay: Passport validity checker →
  • An approved ETA, linked to your passport.
  • A return or onward ticket, and enough money for your stay.

What the ETA allows

  • Tourism, visiting family and friends, and business visitor activities (for example meetings and conferences).
  • Multiple visits for 12 months, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
  • Up to 3 months per visit. For longer stays, apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) instead.
  • No work. Short study (up to 3 months) is allowed.

Going on to New Zealand? See New Zealand NZeTA.

What you'll need

  • Your smartphone, with the official Australian ETA app (App Store or Google Play);
  • Your passport, which the app scans, including its chip;
  • A live photo of your face, taken in the app;
  • An email address and a card for the AUD 20 charge.

Step by step

  1. Download the official "Australian ETA" app, published by the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs.
  2. Scan your passport's photo page and chip with your phone.
  3. Take a live photo of your face in the app.
  4. Answer the questions about your trip and background.
  5. Pay AUD 20, and submit.
  6. Wait for the email confirming your ETA before you travel.

You can apply for family members from the same phone, but each traveler needs their own ETA.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Paying a website. The app is the only official way to apply.
  • Applying at the last minute. Most ETAs are granted quickly, but some take longer. Apply early, ideally before booking non-refundable travel.
  • Traveling on a different passport. The ETA is linked to one passport. If you renew yours, apply again.
  • A passport without a chip. The app needs to read your passport's chip. Older or emergency passports may not work, so check yours first.
  • An expiring passport. If it needs renewing, we can expedite it as quickly as 4 business days from when your documents reach us.

Questions

Not a regular visa for short visits, but you do need an ETA, which counts as a visa under Australian law. Apply in the official Australian ETA app.