MLT

1 hour ago, Tulip1 said:

I applied for an ETA 6 weeks ago so the E600 certainly wasn’t the only option.  I don’t think there was any mention on the application about whether you met the criteria for an exemption.  It was just a visa application.  It was on the exemption application that I had to provide supporting documents, of which I provided a copy of my sons Australian passport.  Both approved no problem so I’m sure you can just go for the ETA.  I’d suggest applying now though as some people have  waited for many weeks.  Mine took about 4 weeks, some have taken longer and some have been very quick.  

Thanks for this I was just confused that other parents were paying for the E600 when in previous years we have only ever used the free  ETA without any problems.  I will however apply very soon in case there are any delays especially as there may be many applying now most state borders are open to tourists.

As we never intended travelling until April I did not start to apply for an exemption hoping that things would change before that date which has been the case, fingers crossed they do not change again. However every time we have travelled to Australia we have always just gone on the ETA which is free, is there any advantage in paying for the E600 or was this the only option when you had to provide supporting documents as parents of an Australian Citizen.

Does anybody have any idea of the rule regarding a partner of the parent of the Australian citizen. My son is in Victoria I divorced in 2000 and  I have been with my partner ever since but he is obviously not the Father. Pre pandemic we travelled several times as a couple to visit him and obviously we live at the same address but we are not married.