Book and Go
Latest features
Australia Visa and Passport Requirements
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| British | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EU | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Do you need a Visa?
Our preferred partner VisaCentral can make applying for one fast and easy.
Apply for one now!
Travellers to Australia must hold a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay, though airlines may require at least six months' validity. All arriving passengers must also complete an Incoming Passenger Card, which includes mandatory customs, biosecurity and health declarations.
Unless you are an Australian citizen, all travellers, regardless of age, must hold a valid visa before travelling to Australia. The only exception is New Zealand passport holders, who are normally granted a Special Category Visa on arrival.
For tourism purposes, most visitors use either an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) or a Visitor visa under the Tourist stream. Both allow short stays for holidays, cruises, or visiting family and friends.
ETA (Electronic Travel Authority)
The ETA permits multiple entries to Australia over a 12-month period, with each stay lasting up to three months. Nationals of the following countries are eligible for an ETA: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (excluding official or diplomatic passports), the United Kingdom (including British National Overseas), the United States, and Vatican City. Travellers with criminal convictions should apply for the Visitor visa rather than the ETA and must provide full details of their criminal history.
Tourist stream
The Tourist stream of the Visitor visa (subclass 600) allows visitors to come to Australia for tourism, cruises, or to see family and friends. Stay lengths vary depending on the visa granted.
ETA: The ETA itself is free, but a service charge of A$20 applies when submitting the application.
Tourist stream: The Visitor visa (subclass 600) normally costs A$150 per applicant. Additional costs may apply for health checks, police certificates or biometrics, depending on individual circumstances.
The ETA is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and allows multiple entries, with each stay lasting up to three months.
The Tourist stream of the Visitor visa (subclass 600) may be granted for stays of 3, 6 or 12 months, depending on the applicant's circumstances and the discretion of the Australian authorities.
Transit passengers may be eligible for a Transit visa (subclass 771), which allows them to pass through Australia and stay for up to 72 hours before departing for their onward destination. This visa is free of charge. Travellers who plan to leave the airport or remain in Australia for longer than 72 hours must hold an appropriate visitor visa. Some nationalities may be exempt from formal visa requirements if they remain airside and do not clear immigration.
Most travellers must apply for an Australian visa online through the Department of Home Affairs website using an ImmiAccount (https://online.immi.gov.au).
ETA-eligible nationals, however, must apply through the official Australian ETA app rather than ImmiAccount. Applicants who need assistance may lodge supporting documents via their nearest Australian visa application centre, operated by VFS Global in many countries.
Visa processing times vary depending on the visa type, the applicant's nationality and the volume of applications being handled. ETAs are usually processed quickly, often within minutes, though some applicants may experience delays if additional checks are required. Visitor visas under the Tourist stream (subclass 600) typically take from a few days to several weeks to process. Travellers should apply well in advance of their intended departure and consult the Department of Home Affairs website for the latest estimated processing times.
ETA visas cannot be extended. Travellers wishing to stay longer must apply for another visa. Visitor visas under the Tourist stream may be extended in some cases, provided no "No further stay" condition applies; otherwise, travellers must leave Australia and apply again from overseas.
All travellers, regardless of age, require a visa to enter Australia. If a child holds their own passport, a separate ETA or Tourist stream visa must be obtained for them.
You must declare all food items on your Incoming Passenger Card. Immigration officers may also ask questions about your travel plans, travel history, contacts in Australia or other relevant details before allowing you to enter.
All cats and dogs being imported to Australia, whether it be for the first time or returning, must meet strict import conditions set by the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (www.agriculture.gov.au/cats-dogs).
Do you need a Visa?
Our preferred partner VisaCentral can make applying for one fast and easy.
With more than 50 years experience CIBT and its subsidiary VisaCentral have become the largest and most well-established travel visa and passport company in the world.
CIBT and its subsidiary VisaCentral has the tools, experience, and global network necessary to effectively reduce the time associated with obtaining travel documents and legalisations.
VisaCentral offer:
- Unmatched Speed.
- Full Line of Services.
- Proprietary Database.
- Travel Visa and Passport Specialists.
- Secure Process.
- Real-time Order Tracking.
Do you have any Feedback about this page?
© 2025 Columbus Travel Media Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission, click here for information on Columbus Content Solutions.
You know where