Helped my parents to apply for ETA (subclass 601) via the AustraliaETA app earlier (mid March 2022). Both my parents are frequent travellers to Australia as we have family members over there. Here's my experience:

My mom applied first, using her newly renewed passport, received an email after 5 minutes requesting for more information/documents to be submitted here - https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-suppor...processing-form
Submitted the documents (such as bank statement, passport, IC) as required via that link - Two weeks later until today, still no news.

As for my dad, we applied using his old passport (haven't expire) with history of entering Australia earlier before COVID-19. He got his visa approved 5 minutes upon submitting everything via the AustraliaETA app.

Hence I believe, there's a massive backlog of applications to be assessed from their end. I've seen ppl mentioned that they have applied as early as end Feb 2022/early March 2022 without any news yet. Most who applied with new passport or passport with no prior history of entering Australia will probably have to enter the long processing queue.

For those who have applied, would like to hear your experience on this so we know what to expect.

a16791 I saw your post in the general visa thread, I wonder have you got ur visa application approved?

This post has been edited by evilhomura89: Apr 1 2022, 10:00 AM

after submit already, email also don't have right?

Yeah, no email after submitting the form
Only a reference number appeared after submitting on the website.

Thank you for sharing great insights, I am also applying with an old passport that has a strong entry and exit history out of Australia, received a request for more information.

I submitted ETA App on 22/03/2022 and additional documents on 27/03/2022, still awaiting for news.

I , my wife & my mom applied ETA early march . Until todate , still no update . What I heard is that , it takes around a month for approval.

damn...means i need to reschedule my flight and leave d

I hope not!

This whole ETA visa (Subclass 601) for additional documents is almost similar to applying Tourist visa (Subclass 600) when comparing the speed for processing.

Might as well apply for Subclass 600.

Please let us know your exact date of application and answers if possible.

Keep us up to date , haha I believe many is on the same boat.

Silly really

Is it possible to apply for both Subclass 601 and 600 concurrently?
Say someone who needs to go over urgently applied for 601 but received no news and went ahead and apply for 600 instead.
It's gonna be the same waiting time anyway right?

i don't think its even possible to proceed if you try to apply for 600

I know this doesn't apply to us but it seems that the processing time for eVisitor Visa (subclass 651) for European Union countries passport is quite random - some getting it as early as 2-3 working days, some 10 days some 14 days but still no news.

More info here - https://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/ShowTopic-g2...-Australia.html

At least for subclass 651, they published the expected processing time on their website. But for 601, there's no information at all.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getti...ng/evisitor-651

This post has been edited by evilhomura89: Apr 4 2022, 02:38 PM

The intention of 601 is to get an immediate response, so before covid19 you can even apply ETA at the airport, and once you landed your passport can go through.

Now with Covid19 and borders reopening not sure why did they not planned out properly for this.

Applied since 10th MArch

Applied thru Australian ETA app and got a request for additional information email almost instantly on 25th March, submitted all the documents I could enlose on 26th March and no email confirmation to date.

Never had such an issue with my previous applications and am panicking over it.

The story that I have gotten is similar with the replies above, my boss went to Melbourne last month with an old passport and got his approval within 2 working days using the same application process.

Can read comments, doesn't feel posiitve at the moment

I hope no one did the mistake of booking their flights/accommodation before getting their visa

Haha I did, didn't check ETA because usually its 48 hours process.

All is good, tickets is flexi and can change anytime or cancel with 100% refund.

Unhappy not for tickets but I cant maximize my leave .. Labour Day + Hari Raya... best free week

guess i have to renew my passport and apply ETA ASAP as i have a plan to visit sydney in july

also, still deciding to take MAS or SIA

I have applied for a Subclass 601 in March and have just attempted to apply for a Subclass 600.

Made my payment without any issue.

Fingers crossed now.

https://pictr.com/images/2022/04/07/BcLHLg.md.jpg