Determine which type of visa you need. Are you traveling to Australia for tourism or to see friends, family or relatives? Do you wish to travel to Australia for the purpose of business? Australia issues different visas according to purpose and the desired length of visit.
Visit the online Australian Visa Wizard located at http://www.immi.gov.au/visawizard. This online tool helps you determine the type of visa you need in order to enter Australia depending on your nationality and purpose of visit. It is an official government website that helps people from all countries properly answer important visa-related questions. You can receive information on the exact visit needed, including processing times, fees and where to obtain it.
Use the ETA system to get a visa for Australia. According to TouristAustralia.com, "Australia's Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) system is the most advanced and streamlined in the world. It is the replacement for a visa label or a stamp in your passport, although stamps are still used where the ETA is not yet available. An ETA enables visitors from passport-approved countries to obtain authority to enter Australia at the same time as they book their travel arrangements. There is no need for the traveler to complete an application form for a visa. The ETA is issued within seconds by computer, which links between the Department, over 300,000 travel agents, more than 75 airlines and specialist providers around the world." Visit http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/ETAAus1En.html to find out if you have an ETA-eligible passport.
Determine the type of ETA you need. Currently there are two types of ETA issued online: a Visitor ETA and a Short Validity Business ETA. According to the Australian Electronic Travel Authority, "If you are traveling for tourism or to visit friends or relatives, you should apply for the Visitor/Tourist ETA. It is valid for 12 months with stays of up to 3 months on each visit, and can be used for single or multiple entry travel. Employment is prohibited. " They also state, "If you are traveling for business purposes, you should apply for the Short Validity Business ETA. It is valid for 12 months with stays of up to 3 months on each visit, and can be used for single or multiple entry travel. Employment is prohibited."
Apply for an ETA by clicking the "Apply for ETA" button on the top-left corner of the ETA website. Follow the step-by-step instructions provided on the electronic application and have your passport and credit card details ready. In general, your application is reviewed and an ETA is issued within 30 seconds. In rare cases you will need to check on the status of your application within 12 hours. With an ETA, you do not need any stamps or labels in your passport and nor do you have to visit an Australian diplomatic office. Once you receive your ETA, you are eligible to travel to Australia according to the approved dates provided on your electronic passport.
