The eTA Australia application accepts credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB), debit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and PayPal. The service fee is AUD 20, billed in Australian Dollars, with additional currency conversion fees of 1.5 to 3% applied by card issuers.
Verify your card issuer’s foreign transaction fee; it is not charged by the Australian government. The AUD 20 fee is non-refundable. Bank transfers, BPAY, Alipay, and WeChat Pay are not accepted.
Google Pay and Apple Pay work via the ETA mobile app; PayPal via ImmiAccount. All charges are settled in Australian Dollars, so applicants holding non-AUD accounts will see the converted amount on their card statement at the exchange rate set by their card network.
Accepted Payment Methods for eTA Australia in 2026
The eTA Australia payment methods span four card networks, two digital wallets, and PayPal, with a service fee of AUD 20 per applicant. Bank transfers, BPAY, Alipay, and WeChat Pay are not accepted.
Credit Cards and Debit Cards
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and JCB are supported for both credit and debit cards. Prepaid cards are not accepted. All transactions are processed via a secure payment gateway linked to the Department of Home Affairs.
Google Pay and Apple Pay
Google Pay and Apple Pay are accepted exclusively through the ETA mobile app on compatible iOS and Android devices. A valid card must be linked to your digital wallet before payment. Non-Australian cards work with both wallets.
PayPal and Other Payment Options
PayPal is available only via the ImmiAccount portal. UnionPay is accepted for paper applications only. BPAY, Alipay, and WeChat Pay are not supported by any eTA Australia payment channel.
| Payment Method | ETA App | ImmiAccount | Paper Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa / Mastercard (Credit) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Visa / Mastercard (Debit) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| American Express | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| JCB | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Google Pay | Yes | No | No |
| Apple Pay | Yes | No | No |
| PayPal | No | Yes | Yes |
| UnionPay | No | No | Yes |
| BPAY | No | No | No |
Currency Conversion Fees and Hidden Costs
According to the fee schedule published on the Department of Home Affairs website, eTA Australia charges are billed in AUD. International applicants pay an additional 1.5 to 3% in currency conversion fees depending on their card issuer.
What Your Bank Charges for AUD Transactions
Your bank applies a 1.5 to 3% foreign transaction fee; the Australian government does not. Settlement is confirmed in AUD regardless of the applicant’s country. Example: A US applicant using a Visa card with a 2% fee pays AUD 20 plus approximately AUD 0.40, totalling about USD 13.67 at an exchange rate of 0.67 USD/AUD.
| Card Network | Typical Fee | AUD 20 ≈ USD | AUD 20 ≈ EUR | AUD 20 ≈ GBP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa | 1.5-2.5% | $13.50 + $0.20-$0.34 | €12.40 + €0.19-€0.31 | £10.60 + £0.16-£0.27 |
| Mastercard | 1.5-2.5% | $13.50 + $0.20-$0.34 | €12.40 + €0.19-€0.31 | £10.60 + £0.16-£0.27 |
| American Express | 2.0-3.0% | $13.50 + $0.27-$0.41 | €12.40 + €0.25-€0.37 | £10.60 + £0.21-£0.32 |
Tips to Minimize Currency Conversion Costs
Use a multi-currency card such as Wise or Revolut to avoid the standard 1.5 to 3% markup. Cards with no foreign transaction fee eliminate the bank-side surcharge entirely. Compare your bank’s exchange rate margin before applying, as eTA Australia payment methods incur conversion costs determined solely by the issuer. When using a local Australian card, no conversion fee applies to the AUD 20 charge.
Troubleshooting eTA Australia Payment Errors
eTA Australia payment errors typically occur at the payment gateway due to bank-side restrictions. The table below lists the five most frequent errors and their solutions.
| Problem | Cause | Solution | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3D Secure timeout | Verification page expires due to slow connection or delayed OTP | Restart payment; ensure stable internet; contact bank to whitelist the Australian payment gateway | Complete payment during off-peak hours; verify SMS reception beforehand |
| Foreign transaction block | Bank anti-fraud system flags the AUD transaction | Call bank to authorize; retry payment | Pre-authorize international transactions before applying |
| Expired card | Card expiry date has passed | Use a different valid card | Check card expiry before starting the application |
| Insufficient funds | Balance below AUD 20 plus conversion buffer | Top up account or use a different card | Ensure at least AUD 25 equivalent available |
| OTP verification failure | SMS delivery issues or wrong phone number on file | Request OTP resend; verify phone number with bank | Update contact details with bank before applying |
International applicants frequently report 3D Secure timeouts during peak hours. For urgent consular assistance with eTA Australia payment issues, contact the Consular Emergency Centre at +61 2 6261 3305, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Payment Confirmation and Refund Policy
After successful payment through eTA Australia payment methods, users receive a confirmation email and can download a receipt from ImmiAccount. The AUD 20 fee is non-refundable regardless of the application outcome. Payment confirmations are typically sent within minutes, and the receipt is available immediately in your ImmiAccount transaction history.
How to Get a Receipt or Tax Invoice
Log in to your ImmiAccount
On the Department of Home Affairs website
Open the transaction history
Select your eTA application record
Download the payment receipt
Or tax invoice as a PDF file
If no confirmation arrives within 24 hours, check your spam folder or log in to ImmiAccount to verify the payment status. For unresolved eTA Australia payment issues, contact the Consular Emergency Centre at +61 2 6261 3305 (24/7).
Is the AUD 20 Fee Refundable?
The AUD 20 service fee charged through eTA Australia payment methods is non-refundable, even if the application is rejected or withdrawn after submission. The fee covers processing costs, not approval. Verify your eligibility on the external government portal before submitting payment to avoid losing the fee on a rejected application. Duplicate payments are also non-refundable; contact the Consular Emergency Centre if you suspect a double charge.
Information last verified against the Department of Home Affairs payment portal on 31 August 2026. This portal is an independent travel information resource and is not affiliated with the Australian Government.
FAQ: eTA Australia Payment Methods and Currency Conversion Fees
What payment methods are accepted for the eTA Australia application in 2026?
Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB (credit/debit), Google Pay, Apple Pay, and PayPal are accepted. BPAY, Alipay, and WeChat Pay are not. Channel availability varies; see the matrix above.
Can I use Google Pay or Apple Pay to pay for eTA Australia?
Yes, via the ETA mobile app only (not ImmiAccount). Requires a compatible device with a linked card.
How much is the eTA Australia application fee?
The eTA Australia application fee is AUD 20 per applicant in 2026. This service fee covers processing and does not guarantee approval.
What is the currency conversion fee for eTA Australia?
Your bank or card issuer may apply a currency conversion fee of 1.5 to 3% on top of the AUD 20 service charge, determined by your card issuer’s policies and the exchange rate at the time of transaction.
Is there a foreign transaction fee when paying for eTA Australia with a non-AUD card?
Most international banks charge 1.5 to 3% for purchases in a foreign currency. This fee is applied by your card issuer, not by the Australian government.
How can I pay for eTA Australia without extra fees?
Use a multi-currency card with no foreign transaction fee. Providers such as Wise or Revolut offer competitive exchange rates with minimal markup.
Does eTA Australia accept debit cards or only credit cards?
Both credit and debit cards are accepted. Visa Debit and Mastercard Debit are supported through the ETA app and ImmiAccount.
How do I get a payment confirmation after paying for eTA Australia?
You receive a confirmation email and can download a receipt from ImmiAccount. If no confirmation arrives within 24 hours, check your spam folder.
What exchange rate is used for eTA Australia payment?
The exchange rate is determined by your card issuer or bank at the time of transaction. Rates vary between Visa, Mastercard, and American Express networks.
Can I get a refund if my eTA Australia application is rejected?
No, the AUD 20 service fee is non-refundable regardless of the application outcome. The fee covers processing costs, not approval.
