Fact Sheet 53 - Australia's Entry System for Visitors
More than 5.5 million visitors, mainly tourists, arrived in Australia in 2006, an increase of one per cent compared to 2005.The number of visitors arriving each year in Australia is expected to rise to more than 8 million within 10 years.
Immigration law requires all visitors who are not Australian citizens to have authority, in the form of a visa, to travel to and stay in Australia.
Background
The aim of Australia's entry system for visitors is to manage the growth of visitor numbers in a cost-effective way through the use of cutting edge technology and to deliver a level of service consistent with the expectation of today's travellers.
New systems and technology, are allowing Australia to develop the world's most electronically sophisticated immigration entry system for visitors.
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) system
Australia's Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is the most advanced and streamlined travel authorisation system in the world. The ETA system was introduced in 1996. It is available to passport holders from a number of countries, regions and locations.
More than 28 million travellers have been granted ETAs to come to Australia. ETAs now account for around 80 per cent of all Australian tourist and short-term business visas granted worldwide.
The ETA system can be accessed by more than 300 000 travel agents worldwide, more than 75 airlines and through the Internet.
The ETA is an electronically stored authority for travel to Australia for short-term visits or business entry. It replaces the visa label or stamp in a passport and reduces the need for travellers to visit an Australian Embassy.
Most ETAs are issued immediately by computer links between the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, travel agents, airlines and specialist service providers around the world. In a small number of cases, some additional processing is required.
See: Fact Sheet 55 The Electronic Travel Authority
eVisa system
Applications to visit Australia may also be made over the Internet using the department's eVisa system. The eVisa system is easy to use, allows for fast processing times and is convenient for travellers who can apply for a visa from the comfort of their own home without having to visit an embassy or immigration office. Alternatively, travellers can arrange for an approved travel agent to make an eVisa application on their behalf, meaning that more people than ever will be able to apply for a visa to visit Australia without having to post their passports and documents or travel long distances to an Australian immigration office.
Document readers
Australia has pioneered the use of document readers to automatically capture information from passports and visas. Document readers are used at many of Australia's overseas missions and all Australian airports.
Further information is available on the department's web site.
See: www.immi.gov.au
The department also operates a national telephone service inquiry line.
Telephone: 131 881
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm (recorded information available outside these hours) for the cost of a local call anywhere in Australia.
Fact Sheet 53. Produced by the National Communications Branch, Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Canberra.
Revised 11 April 2008.
© Commonwealth of Australia 2008.