Home Arrow FAQs Arrow Is the Australian Visa ETA Free? What You Should Know in 2025

Is the Australian Visa ETA Free? What You Should Know in 2025

At Australian Immigration Services, one of the most common questions we receive from international travelers preparing for a short visit to Australia is:
“Is the Australian visa ETA free?”

Although the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa is defined by its simplicity and speed, many of the applicants are not sure about the real price. Let me take you through what the ETA is in this article, whether it is free and what other expenses to note in 2025.

What Is the ETA Visa for Australia?

One of such short-term visas is the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), subclass 601 which is intended to assist the traveler visiting Australia under a short-term tourism, family visit or short-term business purpose. It is open to people with passports of an exclusive number of countries such as the United States, Canada, Japan, Singapore and other European countries.

Key features of the ETA include:

  • Valid for 12 months from the date of issue
  • Allows multiple entries, each stay up to 3 months
  • Applied for online, entirely digitally linked to your passport
  • Cannot be applied for while inside Australia

It’s one of the most convenient ways to enter Australia—but is it free? Let’s clarify that next.

Is the Australian ETA Visa Free?

No, the Australian ETA visa is not free. As of 2025, the official government fee for the ETA is:

  • AUD $20 per applicant + Services fee

View full Australia Visa fee

This charge is paid to the Australian Government and covers the cost of processing your application and linking the visa electronically to your passport.

While it’s relatively inexpensive compared to other visa types, it’s important to know that the ETA is not a free visa, even though some travelers mistakenly believe otherwise due to its speed and simplicity.

You can Apply for a Australia ETA Visa online through our secure platform and receive full support during the process.

What’s Included in the ETA Fee?

The AUD $20 fee includes:

  • Application processing by the Australian Department of Home Affairs
  • Electronic linking of your ETA to your passport
  • Permission for multiple entries to Australia for tourism or business over 12 months

View full Australia Visa fee

However, it does not include additional services such as:

  • Help with documentation or error correction
  • Priority assistance or progress tracking
  • Translation of documents (if needed)
  • Health checks or biometrics (if requested)

To ensure your application is accurate and complete the first time, many travelers choose to apply with expert assistance.

Real Experiences: Why Some Travelers End Up Paying More

At Australian Immigration Services, we’ve worked with applicants who were initially caught off guard by hidden fees or confusing application platforms. Some of the common situations we’ve encountered include:

  • Paying over AUD $100 on non-official websites that looked legitimate
  • Submitting incomplete or inaccurate forms, causing re-application and extra fees
  • Missing documentation or unclear travel intentions that delayed approval

By using a secure, supported service, you avoid these common pitfalls. You can start now by using our trusted portal:
Apply for a Australia ETA Visa online

Should You Apply Online or Through the Embassy?

The ETA is only available through online channels, and not issued through Australian embassies or consulates. This makes it extremely convenient, but it also means you need to be careful where and how you apply.

Our platform is designed to help:

  • Prevent form errors
  • Ensure documents are submitted correctly
  • Guide you if further verification is requested
  • Keep you informed with real-time updates

This makes your ETA process fast, affordable, and stress-free.

Final Thoughts: Is the Australian Visa ETA Free?

It is available only to passport holders from certain eligible countries, including the United States, Canada, Singapore, Japan, and a select group of European countries.

While the ETA is one of the most affordable and accessible Australian visas, it is not free. The standard government fee is AUD $20, and travelers should be cautious about third-party websites or agents charging excessive service fees without added value.

At Australian Immigration Services, we offer a simple and secure way to apply, with full guidance and transparent pricing. For peace of mind and on-time processing, we recommend using our official service.

Start your journey here:
Apply for a Australia ETA Visa online

And for more tips and updates, visit our homepage at Australian Immigration Services.

—
Australian Immigration Services Blog Team
Reliable support for travelers heading to Australia.

Related Articles

View more Arrow

www.auimmigration.org is a site operated by TRAVELNER TRAVEL AGENCY L.L.C, a licensed travel agency in Dubai regulated by the Government of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism. We specialize in assisting international travelers in Dubai with their trips to Australia, offering support for visa applications, travel advice, and tour arrangements.

Commercial License Number: 1070023 issued on June 14th, 2022.

Head Office located at ARAB BANK BLDG, SM1-02-514, Port Saeed, Dubai, UAE.

1997-2025. All Rights Reserved.

Live Chat
COOKIE SETTINGS