If you are a Singaporean travelling to Australia, you will need to apply for an Australia Electronic Travel Authority (ETA).
What is an Australia ETA?
An ETA is an electronic authorisation for travel to Australia to visit or conduct short term business in Australia. It replaces a visa label or stamp in your passport and does not require making an application at the High Commission. Passport holders from around 33 countries, including Singapore and Malaysia, are eligible for ETAs. Of the eligible nationalities, eight (including Singapore and Malaysia) are eligible to apply online. Source: Australia High Commission Singapore
There are a few ways to apply for it and the method you chose will cost differently:
1. The commonly known method:
Online via Australia Electronic Travel Authority-Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Well, this is the "official" website, where ETA is available for application anytime, anywhere. You just have to key in your passport and contact details, pay via credit card and that's it. Since it's the "official" website and you are the one entering the information yourself, you can be 100% sure that there will be no problem with the visa.
Cost: AUD 20
2. The inexpensive method (cos it's free!):
If you book the ticket/tour through a travel agent, your travel agent may be able to do your ETA application for free. Or you can get your friend who happens to be a travel agent or trawl the online travel forums for kind and trustworthy souls to apply foc for you.
Cost: Zero
3. The other method:
You can get a professional third party to apply for you either online or otherwise.
Just a simple online search yields plenty of website that will process ETA for a fee ranging from SGD12-SGD20.
If you are concerned about the reliability of these online website, you can just visit any brick and motar travel agency. You can call them beforehand to check on their fees. Remember to bring a copy of all the passports you are applying for. It will cost you between SGD10 to SGD 20.
Cost: SGD10-20
Happy Holidays!
PS: any idea why Australia is now known as 澳大利亞 instead of 澳洲?
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
This Chinese New Year
It's the Chinese New Year 2013! With the new year comes new beginnings and hopes for all. Looking back, this Chinese New Year is quite memorable to me for a few reasons:
Just two days ago, we achieved a new record (at least for my family) of latest CNY house visit by reaching a relative's house close to 11 pm and leaving their house close to midnight. Not that I or her family mind, cos she is a close relative whom I really want to visit and wish her well for the new year ahead.
Also, during one of our bus trips to a relative's place, my usually reticent dad suprised me by suddenly saying: "Let's all go to Parkway now." I was momentarily confused as we were heading to Tampines when he continued with:"We can go to the rooftop playground at 7th floor" I was suddenly transported back to my carefree childhood days where my family hang out at Parkway Parade on Sundays and we children always look forward to the rooftop playground. "I want to eat Long John Silver" I quipped. Dad came with a retort:" Ah boy always ended up eating most of it!" My brother (Ah boy) added in:"Also, I want to have breakfast at East Coast Park Macdonalds!" My mum smiled. At that point, I was suddenly aware of how much my parents have aged since those days. Looking at the sky painted in various hues of orange by the setting sun, I desperately wanted time to stop then. I wished to the heavens that they are safe, happy and healthy always.
Lastly, during our relatives visit, I was asked on two separate occasions when will I "xx"? It's one of the dreaded questions that many unattached, unmarried or childless faced during CNY visit. It really makes me want to escape from it all next year. But I guess this is part and parcel of Chinese New Year, I will try to accept it.
I hope that in this Year of the Water Snake:
May all be safe and protected.
May all be peaceful and happy.
May all be healthy and strong.
May all have ease of wellbeing.
Just two days ago, we achieved a new record (at least for my family) of latest CNY house visit by reaching a relative's house close to 11 pm and leaving their house close to midnight. Not that I or her family mind, cos she is a close relative whom I really want to visit and wish her well for the new year ahead.
Also, during one of our bus trips to a relative's place, my usually reticent dad suprised me by suddenly saying: "Let's all go to Parkway now." I was momentarily confused as we were heading to Tampines when he continued with:"We can go to the rooftop playground at 7th floor" I was suddenly transported back to my carefree childhood days where my family hang out at Parkway Parade on Sundays and we children always look forward to the rooftop playground. "I want to eat Long John Silver" I quipped. Dad came with a retort:" Ah boy always ended up eating most of it!" My brother (Ah boy) added in:"Also, I want to have breakfast at East Coast Park Macdonalds!" My mum smiled. At that point, I was suddenly aware of how much my parents have aged since those days. Looking at the sky painted in various hues of orange by the setting sun, I desperately wanted time to stop then. I wished to the heavens that they are safe, happy and healthy always.
Lastly, during our relatives visit, I was asked on two separate occasions when will I "xx"? It's one of the dreaded questions that many unattached, unmarried or childless faced during CNY visit. It really makes me want to escape from it all next year. But I guess this is part and parcel of Chinese New Year, I will try to accept it.
I hope that in this Year of the Water Snake:
May all be safe and protected.
May all be peaceful and happy.
May all be healthy and strong.
May all have ease of wellbeing.
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