This page lists exactly what documents you need for a Australia visa in 2026 — the paperwork immigration actually checks, drawn from Australia's official requirements. Prepare these correctly and you remove the most common cause of delays and refusals.
Australia visa at a glance
| Visa required? | Yes, for many nationalities |
|---|---|
| Main visa type | Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) |
| Government fee | A$20 app service charge (no visa fee) |
| Processing time | Usually immediate |
| Validity | 12 months, multiple entry |
| Permitted stay | Up to 3 months per visit |
| Where to apply | Australian ETA mobile app only |
| HolidaySG assistance fee | S$50 per applicant (usually S$100) |
Australia visa documents checklist
For the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
- Eligible e-passport
- Smartphone with Australian ETA app
- Contact & travel details
For the Visitor visa (subclass 600) — Tourist stream
- Passport valid ≥6 months with blank pages
- Recent passport photo (white background)
- Confirmed return/onward flight
- Accommodation booking
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement)
- Employment/business evidence
- Evidence of ties to home country
- Invitation letter if visiting family
- Health/character docs if requested
For the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) – Subclass 601
- Valid passport of an ETA-eligible country
- No health/character concerns
For the eVisitor – Subclass 651
- Valid eligible European passport
For the Visitor visa (Tourist stream) – Subclass 600
- Valid passport (6+ months)
- Passport photos
- Proof of funds / bank statements
- Travel itinerary and return ticket
- Employment / ties to home country
- Prior travel history
For the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) – Subclass 601
- Valid passport of an ETA-eligible country
- No health/character concerns
For the eVisitor – Subclass 651
- Valid eligible European passport
For the Visitor visa (Tourist stream) – Subclass 600
- Valid passport (6+ months)
- Passport photos
- Proof of funds / bank statements
- Travel itinerary and return ticket
- Employment / ties to home country
- Prior travel history
For the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) – Subclass 601
- Valid passport of an ETA-eligible country
- No health/character concerns
For the Visitor visa (Tourist stream) – Subclass 600
- Valid passport (6+ months)
- Passport photos
- Proof of funds / bank statements
- Travel itinerary and return ticket
- Employment / ties to home country
- Prior travel history
Photo and passport specification
Most Australia rejections at the document stage are avoidable: use a recent colour photo with the correct size and background, no glasses or headwear (unless religious), and a passport with at least six months of validity and free pages. Names and dates must match exactly across your form, passport and bookings.
Australia visa for children and families
Children usually need their own visa or entry authorisation, even infants. For family applications, prepare each traveller's passport and photo, and add birth certificates for minors and, where a child travels with one parent or a guardian, a consent letter. Applying for the whole family together keeps travel dates and reference numbers consistent.
Common mistakes, delays and rejection reasons
From handling Australia visa applications, these are the issues that most often cause delays or refusals. Avoiding them is the single biggest thing you can control:
- Passport validity: many countries require at least six months' validity beyond your travel dates — renew early if yours is close.
- Insufficient proof of funds: bank statements that are too thin, too new, or not in your name are a common reason for delays. Show a stable balance over the last 3–6 months.
- Photo specification errors: wrong size, background colour, glasses or a smile can bounce an application. Follow the exact spec for Australia.
- Applying too late: submit well before departure — allow the full processing window plus a buffer, not the minimum.
- Mismatched documents: names, dates and passport numbers must match exactly across your form, flight and hotel bookings.
- Weak ties to your home country: employment letters, leave approval and return bookings help show you intend to return.
- Prior overstays or refusals: declare them honestly; hiding history causes more problems than the history itself.
- Forgetting the arrival card: Incoming Passenger Card on arrival — complete it in the correct window or you can be delayed at the border.
Before you travel to Australia
- Arrival card / declaration: Incoming Passenger Card on arrival
- Onward or return ticket: carry proof — airlines and immigration can ask for it.
- Funds: have evidence of enough money for your stay (card and some AUD (Australian Dollar)).
- Travel insurance: strongly recommended, and mandatory for some destinations.
- Copies: keep a digital and paper copy of your visa/approval and passport photo page.
Requirements by Australia visa type
| Option | Official fee | Max stay | Processing | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) | A$20 app service charge (no visa fee) | Up to 3 months per visit | Usually immediate | Australian ETA mobile app only |
| Visitor visa (subclass 600) — Tourist stream | From A$250 (concessions for some Pacific citizens from 1 Jul 2026) | 3, 6 or 12 months as granted | Varies — weeks; check official processing-time tool | Online via ImmiAccount, from outside Australia |
| Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) – Subclass 601 | 20 AUD (service charge) | 90 days | Often minutes; can take longer if referred | https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601 |
| eVisitor – Subclass 651 | 0 AUD (free) | 90 days | — | https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/evisitor-651 |
| Visitor visa (Tourist stream) – Subclass 600 | ~200 AUD (base application charge, offshore Tourist stream) | 90 days | Commonly ~15–30 days | https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/visitor-600 |
| Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) – Subclass 601 | 20 AUD (service charge) | 90 days | Often minutes; can take longer if referred | https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601 |
| eVisitor – Subclass 651 | 0 AUD (free) | 90 days | — | https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/evisitor-651 |
| Visitor visa (Tourist stream) – Subclass 600 | ~200 AUD (base application charge, offshore Tourist stream) | 90 days | Commonly ~15–30 days | https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/visitor-600 |
| Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) – Subclass 601 | 20 AUD (service charge) | 90 days | Often minutes; can take longer if referred | https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601 |
| Visitor visa (Tourist stream) – Subclass 600 | ~200 AUD (base application charge, offshore Tourist stream) | 90 days | Commonly ~15–30 days | https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/visitor-600 |
Apply for your Australia visa with HolidaySG
Flat S$50 assistance fee per applicant (usually S$100) — official government fee: ETA: A$20 app service charge · Visitor visa — Tourist: from A$250 · Electronic Travel: 20 AUD. We check your eligibility, send a personalised document checklist, complete the forms and track your application until the outcome.
Things to do once your Australia visa is sorted
- Village Roadshow 14 Day Mega Pass — from AUD 208
- The Q Train - First Class Lunch Or Dinner Departing Drysdale — from AUD 341
- The Q Train - Q Class Lunch Or Dinner Departing Drysdale — from AUD 246
- Village Roadshow 7 Day Super Pass — from AUD 189
- The Qualifier 2 Hot Laps — from AUD 209
- Village Roadshow Theme Parks — from AUD 175
Official sources
- Australian Dept of Home Affairs — verified 16 August 2026
- Australian Dept of Home Affairs — verified 16 August 2026
- Official government source — verified 19 August 2026
Last updated 20 August 2026. Written and reviewed by the HolidaySG visa team and checked against the official sources above (facts verified 19 August 2026). Visa rules change and depend on your passport, residence and purpose of travel — always confirm with the official source before booking, or use our visa checker. HolidaySG re-confirms current requirements at the time of your application.