Australia ETA 2026: app-only, AUD$20, and three months per visit
Australia's Electronic Travel Authority has one rule that sets it apart: it can only be applied for through the official app, with no web form at all. Here is who qualifies on a Taiwan passport, what the AUD$20 covers, how validity differs from length of stay, and what tends to go wrong.
What is the Australian ETA, and who can apply?
The Electronic Travel Authority is visa subclass 601. The Australian Office in Taipei confirms that Taiwan ordinary passport holders may apply through the Australian ETA App, for tourism, visiting friends and relatives, or business visits, staying up to three months at a time.
Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs also lists Australia under electronic visa, noting that Taiwan nationals apply through the AustraliaETA mobile app, with one year of validity and a maximum stay of three months per visit (list updated 23 July 2026).
An ETA is not a label in your passport. It is an electronic record linked to your passport number and checked by the system on arrival, so there is nothing to print.
Australian ETA cost and validity: AUD$20, 12 months, multiple entries
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa class | Subclass 601 Electronic Travel Authority |
| How to apply | Australian ETA App (App Store / Google Play, free to download) |
| Service fee | AUD$20.00, paid in-app by card, Google Pay or Apple Pay |
| Validity | 12 months from grant, multiple entries; ends sooner if the passport expires |
| Stay per entry | Up to three months |
| Permitted purposes | Tourism, visiting friends and relatives, business visits |
(Sources: Australian Office in Taipei and Australian government ETA guidance, checked October 2026.)
- ・Covers Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the main visitor routes
- ・No SIM swap: install before you fly, then switch on data roaming on arrival
- ・Refund guaranteed if the signal is unstable or the plan goes completely unused
How to apply for an Australian ETA, step by step
Three things that commonly hold up an Australian ETA
- The phone will not read the chip. Remove the case and move the top of the phone's back slowly across the photo page; NFC sits in a different spot on some older handsets, so another phone may work.
- Looking for a web form. There is no official online portal for subclass 601 — the "apply online" sites in search results are agencies charging above the official fee.
- Confusing validity with length of stay. Twelve months is how long the ETA lasts; three months is how long each visit can be. They are separate limits.
Connectivity in Australia: cities versus long drives
| Option | Suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| eSIM | Cities and main visitor routes; working on landing | Handset must support eSIM; install before departure |
| Local physical SIM | Long stays and working holidays | Airport queue, and keeping your original SIM safe |
| International roaming | Short business trips | Higher rates; confirm the daily cap first |
| Offline maps | Backup for long inland stretches | A supplement to data, not a replacement for it |
Coastal cities and the main touring routes are well covered, but long inland drives do run through gaps — a function of geography rather than of any particular plan. The practical approach mirrors New Zealand: an eSIM as the primary connection, with the route saved offline before a long leg. Plan comparisons sit in our Australia eSIM guide, and the New Zealand eSIM guide covers the other half of a trans-Tasman trip.
Australian ETA: frequently asked questions
Can Taiwan passport holders apply for an Australian ETA?
Yes. According to the Australian Office in Taipei, holders of Taiwan ordinary passports can apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) through the Australian ETA App, for tourism, visiting friends or family, or business visits, with stays of up to three months.
How much does the Australian ETA cost?
A service fee of AUD$20.00, paid inside the app by credit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay (official Australian government guidance, checked October 2026).
Can I apply on a computer instead?
No. The only application channel for subclass 601 is the official Australian ETA App; there is no web form. The app is free to download from the App Store and Google Play.
How long is the ETA valid, and how long can I stay?
Multiple entries over 12 months from approval, with each stay limited to three months. If your passport expires within that period, the authority expires with it.
How does an ETA differ from a subclass 600 visitor visa?
The ETA covers tourism, family visits and business visits and is granted online in a short time. A subclass 600 visitor visa covers a wider set of circumstances and can allow longer stays, but requires supporting documents and a longer assessment.
What is the easiest way to get online in Australia?
Install an eSIM before you leave. The Peanutmo Australia eSIM runs on the local Optus network and covers Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the main visitor routes; switch on data roaming after landing.
- ・QR code emailed within about 10 minutes, so you can install before you leave
- ・Refund guaranteed if the signal is unstable or the plan goes completely unused
- ・LINE support at @peanutmo, 10:00–17:00 (UTC+8)
Installation takes about three minutes with our step-by-step setup guide.
Related reading
Optus coverage, how cities and long routes perform, and picking the right duration.
The New Zealand side of a trans-Tasman trip, including the NZeTA.
Data roaming, default line and message delivery — a five-minute check.
Navigation and streaming usage across a longer itinerary.
