Australia visitor routes: ETA 601, eVisitor 651 and Visitor 600 compared

Australia does not have one visitor route

“Australian ETA” is often used as if it describes the route for every short-term visitor. It does not. The official Department of Home Affairs publishes several pathways, and passport eligibility is central to the choice. Three common routes are the Electronic Travel Authority subclass 601, eVisitor subclass 651 and Visitor visa subclass 600.

This comparison explains their broad structure. It does not determine eligibility. The official visa finder should be used when the passport, purpose or circumstances do not fit a verified rule.

Electronic Travel Authority subclass 601

Subclass 601 is available only to holders of specified passports who apply from outside Australia. The application channel is the Australian ETA mobile app. Home Affairs states that there is no Visa Application Charge, but the app has an AUD 20 service charge.

The authority generally permits multiple visits during a 12-month period, or the remaining passport validity if shorter, with stays of up to 3 months after each entry. Most applicants receive an immediate result, but incorrect or incomplete information and further verification can make the process longer. Home Affairs advises against finalising travel arrangements before grant.

eVisitor subclass 651

Subclass 651 is an electronic visitor visa for citizens holding passports from specified eligible countries. It is free, is applied for from outside Australia, and generally supports multiple visits during a 12-month period with stays of up to 3 months each time.

Eligibility for subclass 651 is not interchangeable with subclass 601. A traveller should not choose between them based only on price or convenience. The passport list and current conditions on the Home Affairs page control.

Visitor visa subclass 600

Subclass 600 contains several streams. The outside-Australia Tourist stream is relevant to many travellers who are not eligible for subclasses 601 or 651 or whose circumstances point to a different visitor route. Home Affairs currently shows a starting application charge of AUD 250 for this stream, with limited concessions and possible additional costs.

The grant can allow a stay of 3, 6 or 12 months, but the actual permission is case-specific. The visa grant notice controls the travel period, entries and conditions. Applicants for the outside-Australia Tourist stream must be outside Australia when applying and when a decision is made.

Processing and permitted activities

Home Affairs publishes a live processing-time guide based on recently decided applications. It is guidance rather than a promise for an individual case. The time can vary according to route, evidence and checks.

These visitor pathways support tourism, visiting family and specified business-visitor activities. They do not provide general work permission. Study allowances and health-related activities have separate limits and can require a different visa.

A safer way to choose

Start with the passport that will be used for travel, the purpose, proposed duration and current location. Use the official Home Affairs visa finder and programme page, not a third-party promise of universal eligibility. Confirm the charge shown at the point of application because Australian visa pricing can change.

ETAApply’s Finder covers a limited set of verified passport mappings. A conditional or official-review result is intentional: it means the official Australian service must make the route clear before the traveller applies.