Fact Sheet 53—Australia's Entry System for Visitors

Background

The aim of Australia's entry system for visitors is to both 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

The ETA system was introduced in 1996. It is available to passport holders from a number of countries, regions and locations.

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

eVisitor

The eVisitor is available to passport holders from the European Union and a number of other European countries wanting to visit Australia for tourism or business purposes. The eVisitor authorises multiple entry to Australia over a twelve month period, for stays of up to three months on each occasion.

Eligible travellers can apply for an eVisitor using the simple online form accessible from the department's website.

Tourist e676 visa

Eligible tourists who want to visit Australia for up to one year can also apply for their Tourist e676 visa online using the department's eVisa system. If the requested stay period is three months or less, the application is possibly auto granted, meaning the processing time is very short. If the requested stay period is more than three months, the application will be manually processed by a case officer.

The eVisa system is quick, easy to use and convenient. Applications are processed in two to 10 days. Alternatively, travellers can arrange for an approved travel agent to make an e676 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 website.
See: www.immi.gov.au

The department also operates a national general enquiries line.
Telephone: 131 881
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm (recorded information is available outside these hours).

Fact Sheet 53. Produced by the National Communications Branch, Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Canberra.
Last reviewed May 2010.

© Commonwealth of Australia 2010.