We are pleased to ease any misconceptions about our Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), and to highlight the benefits of this advanced and convenient entry process for visitors to Australia ('Immigration fears', South China Morning Post, November 7).
The ETA allows visitors to stay in Australia for multiple periods of up to three months, during a 12-month period. It is highly convenient, because travellers can obtain their authority to enter Australia through most airlines and travel agents, at the same time they purchase their airline tickets.
This type of advanced technology is rapidly expanding across the globe. Current examples in Hong Kong include ATM/EPS cards, the Octopus card (also developed in Australia) and the proposed Hong Kong ID smart card. Data is stored electronically rather than the traditional paper method.
Access to details of the status or validity of your ETA to Australia is available at many outlets across Hong Kong. It is a very simple process. Most airlines and travel agents can advise their clients immediately if they have a valid ETA (in fact, clearance to board an aircraft will not be granted without the airline first verifying the validity of the ETA). This additional verification provides even greater certainty for ETA travellers to Australia. In a number of other major tourist and visitor destinations, travellers often do not have confirmation in advance, and are only advised of their authority to enter the country on arrival.
The ETA to Australia is regarded across the world as a technologically advanced tourism incentive. More than 8.2 million ETAs to Australia have been issued worldwide since its inception in 1996.