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There are numerous third-party sites like this that offer Australian ETA applications as a service, which are often even cheaper than the official site. However, as of February 2023 the official site now says:

Important information about the ETA

All ETA-eligible passport holders must apply for an ETA using the Australian ETA app.

However, the third-party sites still seem to be operating. Is it still possible to use them, or do you really have to use the app?

For context, the third-party sites used to work by integrating directly into airline GDS systems, while the app now requires taking a selfie and scanning your passport's NFC chip.

mlc
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lambshaanxy
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1 Answers1

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The third-party "ETA Australia Online" site you link, if read carefully, notes that only citizens of certain European countries may use its service; other nationalities which are eligible for ETA are not allowed to use the site.

This is a bit of speculation, but I suspect that this is because they do not apply for an ETA on their customers' behalf but rather for an eVisitor Class 651 visa, which is available only to citizens of the same European countries as listed on the third-party "ETA Australia Online".

However, the eVisitor stream is available to citizens of eligible countries for free from the official IMMI website, so the "discounted" price from the third party is not such a good deal.

mlc
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