How Much Is Eta for Australia
If you’re a US citizen planning a trip to Australia, the clearest official price shown for an ETA is AUD20 per application. That amount is described as an application service fee charged through the Australian ETA app.
There is no separate Visa Application Charge for an ETA. Still, one search result shows an ETA price of AUD39, so don’t rely on a headline or old fee listing. Check the amount shown in the official app or Australia’s current fee estimator before you pay.
What you’ll pay for an Australian ETA
The Australian ETA app lists an AUD20 application service fee. This is the main cost travelers usually mean when they ask, “How much is ETA for Australia?”
The fee applies to an application, not to a whole family or group. Each traveler needs a separate application. If the app is still showing AUD20 when you apply, a family of four would pay:
- One traveler: AUD20
- Two travelers: AUD40
- Three travelers: AUD60
- Four travelers: AUD80
That family example assumes the fee is AUD20 for each application at the time you submit. The app’s current payment screen is the amount to trust before you finish.
For US citizens, the answer to “How much is an ETA for a US citizen?” is therefore AUD20 according to the official Australian ETA app information, with no separate Visa Application Charge. Because another result lists AUD39, confirm the live amount before submitting.
What the AUD20 ETA service fee covers
The AUD20 is an application service fee connected with applying through the Australian ETA app. It isn’t described as a separate visa charge.
That distinction matters:
- Application service fee: AUD20 is the advertised amount shown for the Australian ETA app.
- Visa Application Charge: There is no separate charge of this type for an ETA.
- Travel cost: Flights, hotels, insurance, and other trip expenses are not part of the ETA fee.
The service fee is also tied to each individual application. Paying AUD20 for one parent does not add the other parent or any children to that application.
Before you approve the payment, check the fee displayed in the official app. If the amount has changed, the current official payment screen should take priority over an older article or search result.
Why some search results show a different ETA fee
The AUD39 figure creates understandable confusion. A search result lists the Electronic Travel Authorisation fee as AUD39, while official Australian information about the ETA app shows an AUD20 application service fee.
That doesn’t give you a safe reason to assume either number will always be correct. Fees and pages can change, search engines can show older information, and different pages may describe charges in different ways.
Use this simple check before paying:
- Open the official Australian ETA app.
- Start the application for the traveler.
- Review the fee shown before payment.
- If needed, compare it with the current Australian fee estimator.
- Pay only after you’re satisfied that you’re using the official channel.
Treat AUD20 as the advertised official-app price, not as a promise that every search result will show the same number. If the app shows AUD39 or another current amount, check the official fee information before continuing.
Do US citizens need an ETA to enter Australia?
The Australian ETA is identified as an entry option for eligible US travelers. Many US citizens looking at a short trip will therefore search for an Australia ETA visa for US citizens.
But eligibility still needs to be checked for each traveler. Don’t assume that holding a US passport automatically answers every entry question. Your trip purpose, travel document, and current Australian requirements can matter.
Before you apply, confirm:
- That your passport and travel plans qualify for an ETA
- That an ETA is the right permission for your visit
- That you’re using the current Australian entry guidance
- That every person traveling has the right application
An ETA application is not a substitute for checking the entry rules that apply to your particular trip. If anything about your situation is unusual, verify the requirement through the official Australian channel before booking or traveling.
How to apply through the Australian ETA app
The Australian ETA App is the official route connected with the ETA application service fee. You’ll need to follow the app’s instructions and provide the details it requests for the traveler.
For a family trip, keep the process organized:
- Complete one application for each traveler.
- Enter each person’s details carefully.
- Check the passport information before submitting.
- Review the fee shown for that application.
- Keep the confirmation or application records for your trip.
Don’t submit one parent’s application and assume it covers the family. The app process treats travelers as individual applicants, including children.
The app is also the place to check the current Australia ETA processing time information available when you apply. Since the provided guidance does not set one fixed number of days for processing, apply before travel rather than waiting until the last minute.
Do babies and children need their own ETA application?
Yes. Infants and children must each have their own ETA application.
A baby does not get added to a parent’s ETA simply because the child is traveling with that parent. The same applies to older children and teenagers. Each individual traveler needs an application submitted in their own name and must meet the relevant requirements.
This rule changes the family budget. For example, if two adults and two children each apply while the app shows AUD20, the total application service fees would be AUD80. A baby would add another individual application fee if traveling with that family.
Parents should make a small checklist for every traveler:
- Passport details
- Separate ETA application
- Fee shown before payment
- Application confirmation
- Current eligibility check
That extra step can prevent a stressful surprise at the airport.
When to apply and what to check before submitting
There is no specific number of days provided here as the universal Australia ETA processing time. Processing can be a key part of trip planning, so don’t leave the application until the day before departure.
Apply early enough to review the result and deal with any issue that may come up. Use the official app for the latest processing guidance rather than relying on a fixed promise from an older webpage.
Before pressing submit, check:
- Your passport number and personal details
- The traveler’s name and date of birth
- Whether the traveler is an infant, child, or adult
- Current ETA eligibility for the trip
- The fee shown in the app
- Any travel-date or entry requirements shown by the official Australian service
Take a moment to check every detail. A small typing error can create a much bigger problem than the AUD20 fee difference.
ETA alternatives and related Australian visa fees
An ETA is not the only Australian travel permission. One alternative listed in the official information is the eVisitor subclass 651.
The eVisitor is a free visa for eligible travelers. It allows multiple visits for tourism or business, with stays of up to three months at a time during a 12-month period.
That doesn’t mean every US citizen can use it. Eligibility differs by visa type and passport, so check whether it applies to your traveler before choosing it over an ETA.
Other Australian visa options can have different rules and fees. Don’t compare the AUD20 ETA service fee with another visa’s price unless you’ve confirmed that both options fit the same trip and traveler.
For a US family, the practical question is often simple: is each person eligible for the ETA, and what fee does the official app show for each application? Check the official Australian ETA app and the current eligibility requirements for every traveler before submitting.