What to do if your eTA for Australia is denied?

Have you applied for an eTA visa for Australia online and just received an email informing you that your application has been denied? In most cases, you will not be given detailed reasons for the Australia ETA rejection, nor will the email tell you how you can proceed with your travel plans. This can be frustrating and confusing, especially if you’re unsure what went wrong. On this page, we explain exactly what to do if your Australia ETA is rejected, the most common reasons for this decision, and how to reapply after an Australian tourist visa refusal if possible.

Australia eTA visa rejection: key points

• The Australia eTA may be denied if the applicant does not meet the official eligibility requirements
• If your eTA is rejected due to an error, you can often submit a new application after correcting the mistake
• If the purpose of your trip or your nationality is not compatible with the eTA, a standard visa (such as subclass 600) may be required
• Using a specialised visa provider can help prevent mistakes that often lead to an Australian visa refusal

Why is an eTA visa denied?

Have you received a notification informing you that your eTA visa application for Australia has been denied? This rejection can be confusing, especially since the email sent by the Australian authorities does not usually specify any explicit reasons. However, there are several well-identified factors that can explain this rejection. Here is a comprehensive and optimised summary of the possible reasons for a visa refusal for Australia, whether it is an eTA.

→ Stay of more than 90 days or non-compliant project

The Australian eTA visa (subclass 601) is reserved for short stays, limited to a maximum of 90 consecutive days. If you indicate a longer stay or if the authorities consider that your project does not correspond to a tourist or business trip, your Australian visa may be rejected.

Similarly, any stay for the purpose of:

• working for an Australian employer,
• doing an internship or volunteering,
• or studying,

This case requires a standard Australian visa. If you have mistakenly ticked a box indicating such an objective, this is sufficient to result in the rejection of your eTA.

→ Medical or health problems

Australia has strict health regulations. A health condition deemed incompatible, particularly in the case of communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, may result in the refusal of an eTA for Australia.

Even if no medical documents are systematically required when applying, certain statements may be enough to raise the attention of the immigration services:

• serious medical history,
• expensive treatments,
• chronic illness not properly disclosed on the form.

→ Criminal record or immigration history

A criminal conviction of more than 12 months (regardless of whether it was carried out or not) is a common reason for eTA denial. This includes:

• past or current prison sentences,
• serious offences,
• refusal of entry or expulsion from another country,
• presence on international watch lists.

These criteria are automatically checked via interlinked databases, and false declarations are systematically penalised.

→ Incorrect or inconsistent information on the form

This is a common reason for visa denials for Australia. Even a simple typo or inconsistency between the information provided can lead to rejection:

• incorrect passport number,
• misspelled name,
• dates that do not match any previous trips,
• wrong visa category selected,
• errors in the security answers.

Tip: You can avoid this type of Australian eTA refusal by carefully re-reading each section of the form, or even by using a specialist service provider.

→ Lack of guarantees of return or solvency

The Australian authorities want to ensure that you will not remain in the country beyond the authorised period. The Australian visa or eTA may be refused if:

• you have not provided proof of sufficient funds (tickets, bank statements),
• you have no obvious ties to your country of origin (employment contract, family, accommodation),
• you do not demonstrate a clear intention to leave Australia at the end of your stay.

Even if some documents are optional, their absence may weigh negatively in the balance.

→ History of refusals or suspicious behaviour

A previous Australian visa refusal may work against you if you do not provide a clear explanation or if you submit a new identical application too quickly.

In addition, behaviour perceived as suspicious or an attempt at fraud (declared change of nationality, multiple applications with contradictory information, etc.) is also a frequent reason for an Australian eTA refusal.

Please note: the Australian authorities do not always justify their refusal, which can make it difficult to identify the real problem. This is why it is essential to complete the form with extreme care, to be transparent and honest, and, if necessary, to use a professional service provider to avoid common mistakes.

Rejection of an eTA visa for Australia: What solutions are available depending on the reason?

Receiving a rejection for an eTA application can be confusing, especially without a detailed explanation from the Australian authorities. However, each case of rejection corresponds to a specific situation, sometimes with a possible solution, and other times with no recourse. Here is a comprehensive overview of the most common reasons for rejection and the possible steps you can take depending on your situation.

→ Planned stay of more than 90 days

Reason for rejection: The eTA (subclass 601) is exclusively reserved for tourist or business stays of less than 3 consecutive months.

Consequence: Automatic rejection of the application.

Solution: You will need to apply for a standard Visitor visa (subclass 600). This visa allows for longer stays of up to 6 or 12 months, depending on the circumstances. The application is more complex, requires additional supporting documents and may be subject to higher fees.

→ Plans to work in Australia

Reason for refusal: The form indicates an intention to work for pay (salaried or undeclared employment).

Consequence: Ineligibility for the eTA.

Solution: You must apply for a visa that is appropriate for your situation, such as the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) or a Working Holiday visa if you are eligible. These visas often require a job offer, a sponsor or proof of qualifications.

→ Medical reasons

Reason for refusal: The form indicates a communicable disease (such as tuberculosis) or a chronic condition that is likely to be costly to the Australian healthcare system.

Consequence: Immediate rejection, with no possibility of direct appeal.

Solution: In some cases, it is possible to provide a detailed medical certificate and apply for a specific visa with a health examination (Visitor visa subclass 600, or Medical Treatment visa subclass 602). The assessment will be more thorough and may require conditional authorization.

→ Criminal record or criminal history

Reason for refusal: The applicant has declared (or is detected via international databases) a criminal conviction of more than 12 months, even if the sentence has not been served.

Consequence: Categorical refusal of the eTA.

Solution: It is possible to apply for a visa with a ‘Character assessment’, such as the Visitor visa subclass 600. You will need to provide a police certificate, a written explanation, and sometimes legal documents. The response will depend on the nature and severity of the offence and the time that has elapsed.

→ Inconsistencies or errors in the form

Reason for refusal: Incorrect passport number, first name entered incorrectly, contradictory information or omissions.

Consequence: Immediate rejection without the right to correction.

Solution: It is possible to reapply after 10 days. Make sure that all the information is completely accurate and that your passport is valid. If you have any doubts, using a specialised service provider can make the process safer.

→ Lack of proof of sufficient funds

Reason for refusal: The authorities suspect that you intend to stay illegally or that you do not have sufficient resources to support yourself.

Consequence: Refusal on the grounds of migration risk.

Solution: If you wish to reapply, prepare recent bank statements, a letter of commitment from your employer, or proof of income. These documents are not required initially, but may reassure the authorities.

→ No proof of return to your country

Reason for refusal: The form or documents do not demonstrate any strong ties to your country of origin (employment, family, obligations).

Consequence: Refusal on the grounds of presumed non-return.

Solution: For a new application, add supporting documents: employment contract, school registration, letter from your employer, proof of ownership, etc.

→ Previous denial or multiple attempts

Reason for refusal: Previous Australian visa refusal, new application submitted too quickly or contradictory information between multiple files.

Consequence: Automatic refusal.

Solution: Wait at least 10 working days, reread all your previous answers and clearly reword any new applications. An explanatory letter can be added to a standard visa application if you opt for a Visitor visa subclass 600.

→ Use of an invalid travel document

Reason for refusal: Passport expired or not recognised (some special travel documents or laissez-passer may not be valid).

Consequence: Application invalidated.

Solution: Renew your passport with a validity of at least 6 months beyond your expected arrival date, then apply for a new electronic visa.

→ Nationality not eligible for eTA

Reason for refusal: The applicant's country of origin is not on the list of countries eligible for either of these visas.

Consequence: Automatic rejection without appeal.

Solution: You will need to apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) through the Australian consulate or embassy. This procedure is longer and requires solid supporting documents (accommodation, tickets, budget, health, etc.).

Conclusion: What to do if your Australia ETA is rejected or denied?

An Australia ETA rejected or Australia ETA denied notification does not necessarily mean the end of your travel plans, but it does require careful consideration. Depending on the reason for the rejection, you have several options:

• A new application can be considered if the rejection was due to an input error, an omission or an incorrect document. It is then essential to wait for the recommended delay (often 10 days), correct any inconsistencies and fill out the form again carefully. This step is key to reapply after an Australian tourist visa refusal without repeating the same mistake.
• If the rejection is based on an eligibility issue (length of stay, business reason, health status or criminal record), it may be appropriate to apply for a standard visa, such as the Visitor visa subclass 600. This alternative is recommended for travellers who cannot meet the ETA conditions, and offers a more detailed review process.
• However, in some situations, there is no immediate right to reapply, particularly in cases of clear non-compliance, misrepresentation, or false statements. Any attempt to bypass these rules may result in a longer-term ban from entering Australia.

In all cases, it is strongly advised to prepare a complete, honest, and well-documented application. Double-check every detail, make sure it aligns with your official documents, and, if necessary, seek help from an authorised migration agent. A clear understanding of why your Australian visa was refused will help you move forward confidently and reapply under better conditions.