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Australia electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) photo requirements

The photo rules set by Department of Home Affairs for the Australia electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601), with the official wording and sources.

Based on 4 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

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Quick answer

What are the Australia electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) photo requirements?

No printed or uploaded photo is needed for an Australian ETA (subclass 601). The Home Affairs AustralianETA app scans your passport, reads its chip using your phone's NFC and takes a live photo of your face. The service charge is AUD 20, and heavy-rimmed glasses may need to come off.

Visitors from ETA-eligible countries, such as the US, Canada, the UK, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia, apply for an Australian ETA (subclass 601) in the official AustralianETA app. The app photographs the passport data page, reads the passport chip and takes a live photo of the applicant's face to confirm they are the passport holder.

European passport holders can also apply for a free eVisitor (subclass 651) in ImmiAccount instead. Visitors who are not eligible for either apply for a visitor visa, which may need a visa photo or biometrics.

Australia electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by Department of Home Affairs:[1]

BackgroundPlain
Photo ageLive photo taken at the time of application

Key requirements

  • Live photo in the app

    The photo is taken live in the app during the application; there is no printed or uploaded photo.

  • Lighting and pose

    Use good light on the face with no direct overhead lighting, and face the camera.

  • NFC required

    The phone must have NFC to read the passport chip, otherwise the application cannot continue.

  • One person per application

    One application covers one person, so each family member needs their own. An ETA is linked to the passport used and cannot be moved to a new passport.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • Stand in front of a plain wall in even, natural light
  • Hold the phone at eye level and look straight at it
  • Remove heavy-rimmed glasses if the face match fails

Don't

  • Do not stand under a ceiling light that casts shadows on the face
  • Do not use a busy background or have other people in shot
  • Do not wear a hat or anything covering the face

Glasses

Glasses are allowed, but heavy-rimmed glasses can make the face check difficult. If the app cannot match the face, take them off and try again.

Headwear and religious dress

The page advises against wearing a hat or anything covering the face.

No printed or uploaded photo. The app takes a live photo of the face.

Where to submit the photo

In the AustralianETA app, applying from outside Australia with an ETA-eligible passport. Steps: the app photographs the passport data page, the phone is held against the passport to read its chip, then a live face photo is taken. The service charge is AUD 20 and is not refundable.

How to get your Australia electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the Australia electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601). Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: live photo in the app; lighting and pose; nFC required; one person per application.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. No printed or uploaded photo. The app takes a live photo of the face.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. In the AustralianETA app, applying from outside Australia with an ETA-eligible passport. Steps: the app photographs the passport data page, the phone is held against the passport to read its chip, then a live face photo is taken.

Australia electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) photo FAQ

No. The AustralianETA app takes a live photo of your face during the application, so you do not upload or print a passport photo.

Yes, but Home Affairs warns that heavy-rimmed glasses can make the face check difficult. If the app cannot match your face, take them off and try again.

The app reads the chip in your passport. If your phone does not have NFC, you cannot continue the application.

The ETA service charge is AUD 20 and is not refundable.

Related photo specifications

Other Australia documents

Visas and travel authorisations nearby

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Official sources

  1. Department of Home Affairs. Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. Department of Home Affairs. AustralianETA app FAQs immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. Department of Home Affairs. AustralianETA app industry guidance (PDF) immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. Department of Home Affairs. eVisitor (subclass 651) immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with Department of Home Affairs before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"Australia electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/australia/eta-photo

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