Check ETA passport eligibility first
ETA (subclass 601) is available only to holders of eligible passports. A holder of an ordinary Chinese passport must not assume eligibility because of a short course or a friend's successful trip. Use the Department of Home Affairs Visa Finder and ETA product page for the passport in hand.
ETA, Visitor visa and Student visa are not interchangeable
ETA is a visitor electronic travel authority; it does not automatically answer study conditions, course length or personal circumstances. Put the real course, provider, stay and study limits into the assessment. An arrangement requiring the Student visa 500 route cannot be relabelled as ETA.
Apply and check only through official channels
Use the official entry points and relevant government app or site identified by Home Affairs, avoiding agent advertising and unknown payment links. Check passport details, travel dates and contacts before applying, then retain the official confirmation rather than forwarding screenshots.
Recheck before boarding and entry
An electronic travel authority is not an absolute guarantee for every boarding or entry issue. Before travel, recheck passport, grant record, course confirmation and documents to carry; entry decisions and conditions follow the current official record and border officer.