Should I use a company for this or can it be done online? How much can I expect to pay for a visa? Thank you for your help.

If you are eligible for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority), definitely go through the government website. It costs $20 and is usually approved within 24 hours. Here is the link.

https://www.eta.immi.gov.au/ETAS3/et...=&submit=apply

Search for "E-visa scams” on this forum and you will see a recent thread on this topic.

Thank you very much. Your information will be a great help.

Scams may or may not be actual scams, they could just be brokers who are using your own laziness to get money. The fact is, if you're ETA eligible, use the link. It takes a matter of minutes (less than a commercial break on TV). If that's too long for you, then feel free to be charged 2-3X the visa rate for a third-party's services.

If you're not ETA-eligible, then that horse has different coloring.

If not an ETA eligible, then you need to check whether your country in eligible for applying online. If yes, they make at immi account at imm.gov.au, fill the form, upload all relevant documents and wait. The decision on the visa comes b/w 2-6weeks again depending upon the country you reside

Hope this helps

What makes someone eligible for ETA? How do I know if I am??? Thank you.

Citizens of ETA eligible countries listed here:

http://www.visabureau.com/australia/tourist-visa.aspx

https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visi/Visi

Here's the Australian Government website. Use that.