A recap from my recent experience with this situation the other week

I mistakenly waited/ forgot till 7 days before my flight to to Sydney to apply for my ETA. I checked the box for criminal conviction because previously I had be denied entry to Canada due to this DUI, so I knew a record of it was obtainable on my background. I wasn't sure of the status/ severity of my conviction w/ AUS because even though I didn't do any jail time, I was sentenced to 18 months community supervision/ probation - suspended sentence.

I received an email notice back that my application wasn't approved, nor was it denied - they wanted more information. At this time I was traveling through Kuala Lumpur (4 days out from departure) and I went to the AUS embassy first thing one morning to try to get this straightened out - but only to find out that they only handled this communion via email. I emailed the KL embassy address I was provided with a general inquiry and situation at hand. They emailed back in 24hrs with 10 questions and a request for documents such as a copy of my passport, and 2 recent months of bank statements - I also provided a copy of my most recent years tax return and a copy of the court document from my conviction (as I was pressed for time I didn't want to chance further delay with more document requests), and my arrival and departure itineraries. The questions in the email directed for me to answer were like, how long will you be in AUS, employment status/ does your employer know/ do you have documentation, the circumstances of your criminal conviction, where are you staying, do you have other travel plans in AUS (provide documents if so), and what is your plans in AUS.

I was surprised to receive another 24hrs later that I was given a grant for approval with no other explanation.

Upon arrival I checked the box for criminal conviction on the arrival card. It was another internal debate to try to chance breezing thru customs, or declare it - in the realm of feeling you're damned if you do, or damned if you don't, I proceeded with the check since I had declared it on my ETA. When I approached to desk I was asked if I meant to check off that box, after confirmation I was passed along to what I feel was a supervisor. He inquired, and I explained it was a DUI w/ probation, no time served, and I declared it on my ETA. He took my passport to an office and came back saying to enjoy my trip. I tried to further ask if that was the correct thing to do, trying to get a hint if I didn't need to go thru that process, but all he said was that if I hadn't I could be "in trouble".

I'm still not sure if I needed to declare it - but that's what I did thru the ETA site and some follow up emails, and I made it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯