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  • Last updated: 10 May 2025

UK ETA for Australian Citizens

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What is an ETA for the UK for Australian Citizens?

The UK ETA is a travel permit required by the UK government for intending visitors from eligible countries to enter the UK. It, however, does not replace the traditional visa system; instead, it is a digital travel authorisation that allows visitors to come in for short visits for specific purposes.
From January 8, 2025, Australians will not be allowed into the UK without an ETA. The UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) applications commence on November 27, 2024.

This latest development is part of the larger Nationality and Borders Act of 2022, which requires certain visitors to fill out an ETA online application, which undergoes tight scrutiny from the government’s security databases. If no anomalies are found in the applicant’s information, the ETA is automatically approved. Otherwise, it is redirected to an official who decides whether or not to authorize it.

The UK ETA was first introduced to Qatari citizens back in October 2023. It subsequently became open to other GCC countries in February 2024 replacing the old UK Visa Waiver scheme. These countries include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

For intending travelers from Australia, you should note that the ETA grants you a visa-free entry into the UK for up to 6 months (short stay) only if you are:

  • Coming for Tourism.
  • Visiting family and friends.
  • Coming in for business or short-term study.
  • Coming to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession.
  • Coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement.
  • Transiting through the UK, even without going through the UK border control.

Australian Visitor Statistics to the United Kingdom

Recent statistics reveal that in 2023 alone, the UK welcomed approximately 1.2 million visits from Australia, with a total expenditure of £1.6 billion ($3.07 billion). This translates to an average spending of about £1,367 per visit.

According to released data, this number is a sharp 36% boost from expenditure recorded in 2019 and up 43% from 2022.

Benefits of the UK ETA for Australian Citizens

The new UK ETA scheme is a laudable initiative by the UK government. For interested candidates in Australia, there are benefits that come with the UK ETA for Australians. Let’s see three of them below.

Easy Application Process

Easy Application Process

The UK ETA program offers a quick and seamless application process for individuals travelling to the UK from Australia. Eligible candidates can apply from the comfort of their homes using devices such as smartphones, tablets, or PCs.

Quick Response Time

Quick Response Time

Another attractive feature of the ETA package is its quick application response time, which is usually within three business days. Australians who want to travel to the UK for short visits can do so speedily without any hassles.

Great for Remote Workers

Great for Remote Workers

The ETA scheme is great for remote workers and their employers. Since COVID-19, remote work has become a more dominant feature in the global labor market. With the new UK ETA, remote workers in Australia can come in on work visits to their UK employers any time of the year.

UK ETA Eligibility Criteria
for Australian Citizens

The UK ETA is available to all Australian citizens regardless of age, race, or gender. Babies, children, adults, and seniors are eligible for an ETA to go on short trips to the UK. However, residents in Australia who are not citizens of an ETA-eligible country will need to apply for a UK Visit visa (tourist visa) from Australia. To get a UK ETA for Australians, one has to meet certain criteria. These include:

1

Citizenship

The applicant must be a recognized citizen of Australia.

2

No History of Deportation

Applicants must not have been previously deported from the UK.

3

No Conviction of More Than 12 months

The applicant must not have been convicted of an offense for more than a 12-month sentence in the UK or any other country. They also shouldn’t have been convicted of a criminal offense that resulted in a 12-month sentence in the UK or overseas.

4

Breaking Immigration Laws

The applicant must not have previously breached any immigration laws, such as living in the UK without proper documentation or failing to renew their visa.

UK ETA Validity and Duration of Stay

The UK ETA for Australian citizens has a validity period of two years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first, during this validity period, visitors can make multiple trips from Australia to the UK and vice versa. However, the maximum duration of stay is no more than 6 months.

Within this time, visitors must adhere strictly to the rules of not seeking employment or trying to make the UK their permanent residence. They also cannot get married or engage in a civil partnership.

UK ETA requirements

To apply for a UK ETA, all eligible travelers must provide some basic requirements. The following are mandatory requirements for all applicants:

Passport

You will be required to upload a scanned copy of your physical International passport.

Photo

You will also need to upload a recently taken personal photo that follows specific requirements.

Payment Method

A method of payment will be needed to pay the application fee. These include debit cards, credit cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.

Email address

You will need an active email address to serve as a primary point of contact as you will receive your UK ETA updates and the decision on it.

Applying for a UK ETA for Australian Citizens

The process of applying for a UK ETA for Australian citizens is straightforward. Australian citizens who wish to apply can do so by following these steps:

1

Fill Out the Application Form

Applicants will need to fill out the application form and answer a few personal questions, as well as fill out personal information such as their name, passport number, and phone number.

2

Attach Required Documents

You will attach and upload a scanned copy of your International passport and a personal photo (size and format guidelines will be highlighted).

3

Pay the Application Fee

You will be required to pay the application fee using any of the following channels:

  • A valid credit or debit card,
  • Apple Pay, or
  • GooglePay.

4

Submit the Application

Before you hit the submit button, ensure that all sections are properly filled out and the information provided is accurate. You must also complete the application process in one attempt, as you cannot save any progress for a later time. If the application process is halted at any time for more than 20 minutes, all the information provided will be deleted, and you will need to start all over again.

5

Receive Your ETA

If your UK ETA application has been approved, you will receive your UK ETA via email. You will also receive a notification in your email if your application is rejected.

UK ETA Processing Time and Fees for Australian Citizens

The processing time for the ETA for the UK is pretty quick, compared to typical UK visa processing times for Australians. A decision is usually sent within three business/working days. After the waiting period, your ETA for the UK from Australia will either be approved or rejected.

The application fee for the UK ETA is £97, which includes standard government fees plus our professional service fees. (Kindly note that this fee is non-refundable).

Traveling to the UK with an ETA: Key Details

Below are some important information for Australians traveling to the UK with an ETA:
  • Your ETA will be digitally linked to the passport you used in your application.
  • If you renew your passport or get a new one, you will need to apply for a new ETA.
  • Make sure to have your travel documents, such as your passport and the UK ETA, ready when you arrive at border control.
  • Note that the ETA and the European Travel and Information Authorisation System (ETIAS) are two different schemes and should not be confused with one another. Although very similar, the UK ETA is intended for travelers coming to the UK, while the ETIAS scheme is for travelers to the EU.
Travelers who require a Visa for the UK from Australia will still need to apply for a traditional visa, as the ETA only covers specific purposes.

FAQ

Starting from January 8th, 2025, citizens of Australia who want to travel to the UK for short visits will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
Australians, as much as other countries, will always require a visa to live and work in the UK. However, the UK ETA has now become part of the travel requirements for intending Australian visitors to the UK starting January 2025.
No, the ETA doesn’t replace the UK visa from Australia. The ETA is simply required for purposes other than the purposes you would need a visa for. The ETA can be compared to an electronic visa that enables travel without needing to go through the process of obtaining a traditional visa. The visa is still required for Australian citizens who wish to live and work in the UK.
You cannot appeal the decision if your UK ETA application is rejected. However, this does not imply that you have been denied entry to the UK. You may have to directly apply for a UK visa instead.
Australian visitors are allowed multiple entries in and out of the UK within the two-year validity period of the ETA. However, they can only stay a maximum of six months per visit.

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Apply for your UK Electronic Travel Authorization today.
Simply fill out the online form to get started.

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