Australian visa resources
How to apply for an Australia visa
A plain-language overview of how to apply for an Australia visa — the ETA, eVisitor and Visitor visa — with links to the official Department of Home Affairs visa listing.
Important
The steps below are the general shape of an Australia visa application. Your exact visa and requirements depend on your passport and the purpose of your visit, so always confirm against the official Department of Home Affairs visa listing linked on this page.
Choose the right visa
For a short visit, check whether your passport qualifies for the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) or the eVisitor (subclass 651); if not, the Visitor visa (subclass 600) is open to any passport holder. For study or work, use the relevant subclass. Start with the official visa listing to identify the right one.
Apply online
Australian visas are applied for online — the ETA through its official channel and other visas through the Department of Home Affairs. Use only the official service — third-party sites are not the government service.
Prepare your documents
Prepare the documents the official application asks for and make sure your passport is valid. The exact list depends on the visa and your situation — follow the checklist on the official pages.
Apply in good time
Apply well before you travel. Processing times vary by visa and circumstances and are published on the official pages — check them for the current guidance.
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-09. Information only — not legal advice.