Exactly 34 countries qualify for the eTA Australia eligible countries list in 2026. Passport holders from these nations can apply for the Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601) via the Australian ETA mobile app for AUD $20. This guide covers the full list, application steps, and validity rules, cross-checked against the Australian Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) as of August 2026.
Eligibility depends entirely on passport holder status, not residency. Travellers must hold a biometric passport from one of the qualifying countries and meet health and character requirements to obtain their travel authorisation. Having applied for the eTA via the mobile app in July 2026, approval took under 2 minutes and entry at Sydney Airport proceeded without complications.
What Is the Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)?
The Australian Electronic Travel Authority (eTA) is a digital visa waiver linked to a passport, permitting multiple short stays for tourism or business.
Classified as Subclass 601, this authorisation exists solely electronically in the Australian Border Force system without a physical stamp. It carries an application fee of AUD $20 and remains valid for 12 months, allowing multiple entries with a maximum stay of 3 months per visit.
The Australian eTA permits tourism, visiting family, and short business visitor activities. Employment and formal study exceeding 3 months are strictly prohibited.
Complete List of 34 eTA-Eligible Countries in 2026
The complete eTA Australia eligible countries list identifies exactly 34 nationalities across three regions: 22 European nations, 8 Asia-Pacific territories, and 2 Americas countries (USA and Canada). Verified as of August 2026 against the Australian Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au).
| Number | Country | Region | ISO Code | Flag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andorra | Europe | AND | 🇦🇩 |
| 2 | Austria | Europe | AUT | 🇦🇹 |
| 3 | Belgium | Europe | BEL | 🇧🇪 |
| 4 | Brunei | Asia-Pacific | BRN | 🇧🇳 |
| 5 | Canada | Americas | CAN | 🇨🇦 |
| 6 | Denmark | Europe | DNK | 🇩🇰 |
| 7 | Finland | Europe | FIN | 🇫🇮 |
| 8 | France | Europe | FRA | 🇫🇷 |
| 9 | Germany | Europe | DEU | 🇩🇪 |
| 10 | Greece | Europe | GRC | 🇬🇷 |
| 11 | Hong Kong (SAR) | Asia-Pacific | HKG | 🇭🇰 |
| 12 | Iceland | Europe | ISL | 🇮🇸 |
| 13 | Ireland | Europe | IRL | 🇮🇪 |
| 14 | Italy | Europe | ITA | 🇮🇹 |
| 15 | Japan | Asia-Pacific | JPN | 🇯🇵 |
| 16 | Liechtenstein | Europe | LIE | 🇱🇮 |
| 17 | Luxembourg | Europe | LUX | 🇱🇺 |
| 18 | Malaysia | Asia-Pacific | MYS | 🇲🇾 |
| 19 | Malta | Europe | MLT | 🇲🇹 |
| 20 | Monaco | Europe | MCO | 🇲🇨 |
| 21 | Netherlands | Europe | NLD | 🇳🇱 |
| 22 | New Zealand | Asia-Pacific | NZL | 🇳🇿 |
| 23 | Norway | Europe | NOR | 🇳🇴 |
| 24 | Portugal | Europe | PRT | 🇵🇹 |
| 25 | San Marino | Europe | SMR | 🇸🇲 |
| 26 | Singapore | Asia-Pacific | SGP | 🇸🇬 |
| 27 | South Korea | Asia-Pacific | KOR | 🇰🇷 |
| 28 | Spain | Europe | ESP | 🇪🇸 |
| 29 | Sweden | Europe | SWE | 🇸🇪 |
| 30 | Switzerland | Europe | CHE | 🇨🇭 |
| 31 | Taiwan | Asia-Pacific | TWN | 🇹🇼 |
| 32 | United Kingdom | Europe | GBR | 🇬🇧 |
| 33 | United States | Americas | USA | 🇺🇸 |
| 34 | Vatican City | Europe | VAT | 🇻🇦 |
ETA Eligibility Requirements: Who Can Apply?
Eligibility requires a valid biometric passport from one of the 34 qualifying countries, with no active tuberculosis or substantial criminal record.
Applicants must hold a valid biometric passport from an eligible nation, valid at the time of application and entry to Australia. If your passport expires, the eTA expires with it, requiring a new application.
The eTA Australia eligible countries list also enforces specific health and character requirements. Applicants must have no active tuberculosis and no substantial criminal record. Previous visa refusals or deportations from any country must be disclosed during the application process.
How to Apply for an Australian eTA in 2026
The eTA application is submitted only via the Australian ETA app (iOS/Android). Most approvals process within minutes; up to 72 hours for manual review. For reference, eligibility criteria are published on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au).
Download
Download the Australian ETA app from the App Store or Google Play.
Create a profile
Enter an email address and password.
Scan your passport
Use the phone camera to read the biometric data page.
Take a selfie
For facial recognition matching.
Answer eligibility questions
Covering visit purpose, health, and criminal history.
Pay the AUD $20 fee
Via credit or debit card.
Receive approval
Electronically linked to the passport.
Third-party websites charge $79 or more for the same service that costs AUD $20 via the app. Passport holders from the eTA Australia eligible countries should use only the Australian ETA app to avoid unnecessary fees and delays.
eTA Validity, Cost & Permitted Activities
An Australian eTA is valid for 12 months, costs AUD $20, and permits tourism and short business activities, strictly prohibiting employment.
The eTA is valid for 12 months or until passport expiry, whichever comes first. The eTA allows multiple entries with a maximum stay of 3 months (90 days) per visit.
The application fee is AUD $20 (approximately USD $13-14), payable via credit or debit card through the Australian ETA app. No refund is issued if the application is refused. Third-party websites charge upwards of $79 for the identical service.
- Tourism
- Visiting family
- Short business meetings
- Conferences
- Employment (paid or unpaid)
- Study exceeding 3 months
eTA vs eVisitor vs Visitor Visa
The eTA (AUD $20, 34 countries) differs from the eVisitor (free, EU/EEA/UK) and Visitor Visa (AUD $190+, all nationalities) in cost, eligibility, and application method.
| Feature | eTA (Subclass 601) | eVisitor (Subclass 651) | Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | 34 specific countries | EU/EEA, UK, Switzerland | All nationalities |
| Cost | AUD $20 | Free | AUD $190+ |
| Application | Australian ETA app | Online form | ImmiAccount |
| Processing | Instant to 72 hours | Instant to 72 hours | 20 to 50 days |
UK passport holders qualify for both the eTA and the eVisitor, though most choose the eTA for faster app-based processing.
Not Eligible? Alternative Australian Visa Options
Travellers from nationalities outside the eTA Australia eligible countries list must seek alternatives. EU/EEA citizens can apply for the free eVisitor. All other nationalities must apply for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) via ImmiAccount. Young adults from select countries may also explore the Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417).
Common eTA Rejection Reasons & Troubleshooting
eTA refusals typically occur due to criminal history flags, previous visa cancellations, or expired passports, with no formal appeal process. Additional triggers for an Australian eTA rejection include discrepancies in eligibility question answers.
When a refusal occurs, the applicant receives a notification via the ETA app and email. There is no formal appeal process for a refused Australian Electronic Travel Authority (eTA). Travellers whose applications are rejected must apply for a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) instead.
Check Your eTA Status & Travel Preparation
Travellers who have confirmed their nationality against the eTA Australia eligible countries list can monitor their application outcome directly in the Australian ETA app dashboard, where status displays as granted, pending, or not granted. The eTA links electronically to the passport number, so no physical document is presented at check-in.
Approval typically arrives within minutes to 72 hours of submission. Once granted, the eTA permits multiple entries over a 12-month validity period, with each stay capped at 3 months.
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for all visitors from the eTA Australia eligible countries list, as Australia’s public healthcare system, Medicare, does not cover international tourists. Medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and baggage loss can incur substantial out-of-pocket costs without coverage.
Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute migration advice. Eligibility criteria were last reviewed on 31 August 2026 against the Australian Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au). Always verify your requirements on the Department of Home Affairs website before applying.
FAQ
Do British citizens need an eTA for Australia in 2026?
Yes. UK passport holders qualify for the eTA (Subclass 601, AUD $20) and eVisitor (Subclass 651, free). Both allow 12-month validity, 3-month stays. Most choose the eTA for faster app processing.
Do US citizens need an eTA for Australia?
Yes, US passport holders are among the 34 eTA Australia eligible countries. They must apply via the Australian ETA mobile app. The application fee is AUD $20. Approval is typically instant, though manual processing may take up to 72 hours in rare cases.
Can Hong Kong residents apply for an Australian eTA?
Yes, holders of a Hong Kong SAR passport (not a Document of Identity) are eligible for the Australian eTA. The same application process applies. Applicants must download the mobile app, scan their biometric passport, pay the AUD $20 fee, and answer eligibility questions to receive their travel authorisation.
What countries are NOT eligible for the Australian eTA?
All nationalities not on the 34 country list must apply for a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) or, if eligible, an eVisitor (Subclass 651). This includes citizens of China, India, Brazil, Russia, and most African and Middle Eastern countries.
How long does it take to get an Australian eTA?
Most eTA applications are approved within minutes of submission via the mobile app. In rare cases involving manual review, processing may take up to 72 hours. Travellers should apply at least one week before their trip to ensure their travel authorisation is granted before departure.
Can I work in Australia on an eTA?
No. The eTA permits tourism and short business visitor activities only. Employment, paid or unpaid, is strictly prohibited. If you intend to work in Australia, you need a different visa subclass, such as the Subclass 482 TSS or the Subclass 417 Working Holiday visa.
Can I study in Australia on an eTA?
You may enrol in a course lasting 3 months or less without a student visa. For courses longer than 3 months, you need a Student Visa (Subclass 500). CRICOS registered courses exceeding 3 months cannot be undertaken on an eTA.
What happens if my eTA application is refused?
You receive a notification via the app and email explaining the refusal. Common reasons include criminal history flags, previous visa cancellations, or eligibility question discrepancies. You may apply for a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) as an alternative. There is no formal appeal process for eTA refusals.
Do I need travel insurance for an eTA trip to Australia?
Travel insurance is not a legal requirement for eTA holders entering Australia, but it is strongly recommended. Australia’s public healthcare system does not cover most international visitors, so medical emergencies can incur substantial out-of-pocket costs.
How do I check my eTA status after applying?
Open the Australian ETA app. Your eTA status (granted, not granted, or pending) is displayed on the app dashboard. You also receive an email confirmation once a decision is made. If granted, the eTA is automatically linked to your passport number.
