Have you always wanted to visit the Land Down Under, the land of the Outback, the koalas and the kangaroos, of the Great Barrier Reef and the saltwater crocodiles?

Then the first thing you should do is apply for an Australian tourist visa, of course. And did you know there is now an easy way to apply for a tourist visa for travel to Australia? Tourist visas for Australia can now be done via the internet. The Electronic Travel Authority or ETA is given out through the unique computer system in behalf of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. You will be notified of the approval of your visa through email or post as you like.

There are four visa options for people who want to visit Australia for recreation and tourism, holidays, a short education course, holidays or to visit family and friends.

1. ETA (Visitor) (subclass 976) - This is valid for a period of three months only and passport holders of countries outside Australia can apply for this type of tourist visa online.

2. eVisitors (subclass 651) - This is also valid for a limited period of up to three months for vacation or business purposes. This type of Australian tourist visa is available to the European countries and other European states as well.

3. Tourist visa (subclass 676) - You can stay for three months or extend up to six to twelve months. Unlike the previous two types of tourist visas, those within Australia can apply for this temporary visa.

4. Sponsored Family Visitor visa (subclass 679) - For those who have relatives and friends who are residents of Australia can apply for this visa as long as their relatives or friends formally endorse them to the Department. You can enjoy the company of your family and friends a maximum of twelve months.

Once you have decided which type of Australian tourist visits fits your qualifications better, you must know a few more details about it. There are limitations in your Electronic Travel Authority or tourist visa and you must be aware of these considerations before submitting your application online:

1. The Electronic Travel Authority is valid for twelve months only from date of grant.

2. Multiple stays of up to three months over that twelve month period are permitted.

3. Except for the tourist visa and the sponsored family visitor visa, applicants must be from outside Australia to apply for visa.

4. With the tourist visa, you are not allowed to work in Australia.

5. If you want to study in Australia using the Electronic Travel Visa, this is permitted for as long as the study course is less than three months in duration.

Traveling and staying in Australia legally will take a load off your mind so that you can enjoy every moment you spend there without being worried if immigration agents are about. It will be an epic Australian experience if you move through the proper channels for your travel documents.

You can move around freely, from Sydney to Perth to Darwin, and the amazing destinations in between. Australia is such a wondrous country with some of the most amazing array of plants and animals you will never see on any other part of the world, a unique culture of aboriginal customs mixed with modern tradition, and a land of natural and man-made wonders, the Ayers Rock and the Sydney Opera House.

Sign up on the internet for an Electronic Travel Authority, plan your adventure into the outback, or if you’re really feeling that adventurous do not plan at all, just pack a good three-day bundle of clothes, get on that plane, and begin your epic Australian experience.