Just wanted to share my experience.

I applied for an ETA for me and my parents, seperately, about 2 weeks ago. My parents' ETA was approved almost immediately like always. Mine however, needed extra information.

Background, I've been to Australia, well Sydney, since early 90s. Been there probably more than 10 times, so many times that I lost count. Previously my ETA was granted almost immediately. I used to apply ETA about 1-2 weeks in advance because it's more or less granted previously. However, after hearing the horror stories from friends, we decided to do it about 4 months earlier.

The last time I went to Sydney was in 2018, before the current ETA system was in place. Then Covid happened and I didn't travel to Sydney since then. This is the first time I used the current ETA system for myself. My parents' ETA has always been approved immediately.

Anyway, I created an ImmiAccount and they wanted proof that I can support my stay and also it's a temporary stay. I thought ok, I just send in my bank statement, which is more than enough to support my trip, and a return flight ticket which proves that I'm coming back to KL.

4 days later, I was refused. The letter said that they are not convinced that I have sufficient incentives to return to Malaysia at the end of my trip.

So since I have experience on what they want, I prepared myself. About 1 week after the refusal, I applied again and uploaded these:-

- MyKad
- Birth cert
- Marriage cert
- Drivers license
- Passport
- Letter from company
- 3 months salary slip
- 2 years EPF statements
- 3 months bank statement
- FD statement
- House title
- Income tax filing (BE form)
- Hotel booking (didn't upload it the first time)
- Return air ticket

My ETA was then approved 3 days later.

I have no idea what worked and what didn't but I guess my advice is to upload everything they ask, even if you think some of the things don't matter (like house titles, Marriage cert, etc), and answer everything truthfully.

Good luck!

EDIT: I also gave them information on my two previous passports which were used to travel to Australia in Form 1554. Like I said, I don't really know what worked and what didn't. I just gave them every bit of information that helped.

This post has been edited by lokgotz: Nov 12 2024, 12:46 AM

Just a letter stating that I took leave to visit my brother in Sydney from this date to that date and I am expected to be back to work on this date.

I didn't upload my old passports, just listed the passport numbers down in Form 1554.

House deed I just submitted verbatim.

Yes.

I have an apostrophe in my name as well. Just follow accordingly. If they ask for your passport name, then use the one without a dash. If they ask for your name in other document, just follow the name in that national document.

This post has been edited by lokgotz: Nov 12 2024, 10:39 AM

I agree. No incentive to return to Malaysia = jump plane risk.

They wanted proof of finance for my trip and also proof that the stay is temporary.

Proof of financing my trip = money/bank statement.
Proof of temporary stay = return ticket.
And it wasn't enough for them.

That statement came after they refused me, which is why I uploaded more documents on the second application. Like I said previously, I have no idea what worked and what didn't. I just uploaded everything they asked for, even if I think it didn't matter when it comes to a visa application.

Anyway, I am just sharing my experience.

Lol. It's a nickname I've been using for nearly, wow, nearly 30 years. Didn't know it's been that long until I calculated it.

I had the same problem even though I uploaded everything. I just proceed to submit. I have a feeling that note is just a reminder or something.