600 vs 601 vs 651: which Australian visa is right for you?
Three ways to visit Australia short-term: the full Visitor visa (600), the ETA (601) and the eVisitor (651). Which one you use depends mostly on your passport.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Visitor visa (600) | Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (601) | eVisitor visa (651) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Temporary | Temporary | Temporary |
| Who it's for | People visiting Australia for tourism, to see family, or for certain business visitor activities. | Passport holders from eligible countries who want a quick, electronically-linked short visit for tourism or business. | European passport holders visiting Australia for tourism or business visitor activities. |
| Government cost | ~$210 (Tourist stream) | ~$20 service charge (no visa application charge) | Free (no visa application charge) |
| Processing time | ~2 weeks to several months | ~minutes to a few days | ~minutes to a few days |
| Length of stay | Usually up to 3, 6 or 12 months per entry | Up to 3 months per entry, within 12 months | Up to 3 months per entry, within 12 months |
| Where to apply | Onshore or offshore | Offshore | Offshore |
| Work rights | No work permitted | No work permitted | No work permitted |
| Pathway to PR | No - a temporary visitor visa only. | No - short visits only. | No - short visits only. |
Which is right for you?
Visitor visa (600)
People visiting Australia for tourism, to see family, or for certain business visitor activities.
Full 600 guide →Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (601)
Passport holders from eligible countries who want a quick, electronically-linked short visit for tourism or business.
Full 601 guide →eVisitor visa (651)
European passport holders visiting Australia for tourism or business visitor activities.
Full 651 guide →Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, 600 or 601 or 651?
On indicative 2025-26 government costs, Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (601) is the lowest at ~$20 service charge (no visa application charge). Government fees change periodically - confirm before applying.
Which is processed faster, 600 or 601 or 651?
Indicatively Visitor visa (600) is the quickest at ~2 weeks to several months. Actual timeframes depend on caseload and how complete your application is.
What's the main difference between 600 and 601 and 651?
Visitor visa (600) is for people visiting Australia for tourism, to see family, or for certain business visitor activities. Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (601) is for passport holders from eligible countries who want a quick, electronically-linked short visit for tourism or business. eVisitor visa (651) is for european passport holders visiting Australia for tourism or business visitor activities.