Do you need a visa to enter Australia?
Most foreign passport holders need a visa before travelling to Australia. This also applies to many short visits for tourism, seeing family or friends, cruising, or eligible business-visitor activities. The correct option depends primarily on the passport used for travel, as well as the purpose and expected length of the stay.
An Australian citizen does not need a visa to enter Australia. A New Zealand citizen travelling on a valid New Zealand passport does not normally need to obtain a visa before departure; if eligible, they can be granted a Special Category visa on arrival. Other travellers should ensure they hold the appropriate visa before travelling.
ETA vs eVisitor vs Visitor visa: what is the difference?
The ETA, eVisitor and Visitor visa are all Australian visas. An ETA and an eVisitor are electronic visas linked to the traveller's passport; they are not simply visa waivers. They can suit eligible short-term visitors, while the Visitor visa is the broader option for travellers whose passport, plans or circumstances do not fit those electronic visas.
| Visa | Permitted stay | Official cost |
|---|---|---|
| ETA (601) | Up to 3 months per visit | AUD 20 service fee |
| eVisitor (651) | Up to 3 months per visit | Free |
| Visitor visa (600) | As granted; up to 12 months | From AUD 250 |
For eligible travellers, both the ETA and eVisitor generally allow multiple entries during a 12-month validity period. The Visitor visa may be granted with different stay periods and entry arrangements, so the visa grant and its conditions are decisive.
Who can apply for an Australian ETA?
The Electronic Travel Authority, or ETA (subclass 601), is available only to holders of passports from specified eligible countries and jurisdictions. Examples include passports from the United States, Canada, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom for British Citizens, and a number of European countries including France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
An ETA can be used for holidays, cruises, visiting family or friends, and certain business-visitor activities. It generally allows stays of up to three months per entry and multiple entries while it remains valid. It is not a work visa, and it is not the right choice for every study, medical, character or travel situation.
The ETA is normally requested through the official Australian ETA app, but eligibility and the appropriate visa category must be confirmed for the individual traveller. If an ETA is suitable for your passport and travel plans, read our Australian ETA application guide for more information about the requirements, fees and application process.
Who is eligible for an Australian eVisitor?
The eVisitor (subclass 651) is intended for citizens holding eligible passports from the United Kingdom and many European countries. Eligible examples include France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland and other listed European passport countries. The traveller must be both a citizen of, and hold a valid passport from, an eligible country.
Like an ETA, an eVisitor is generally valid for travel over 12 months and permits multiple entries, with a maximum stay of three months after each entry. It can cover tourism, visits to family or friends, cruises and eligible business-visitor activities. The government application for an eVisitor is free.
A British Citizen passport holder may be eligible for either an ETA or an eVisitor. This does not mean every British nationality status has the same options: eligibility depends on the precise passport category. Likewise, a European passport does not automatically make a traveller eligible for both electronic visas.
Which Australian visa do you need for your passport?
Your residence, the language you speak or where you booked the trip does not determine your visa category. The key document is the passport you will present when travelling to Australia.
- UK passport holders: A British Citizen passport holder may be eligible for an ETA or an eVisitor, subject to the current requirements and individual circumstances.
- US passport holders: A United States passport is on the ETA eligibility list. It is not on the eVisitor eligibility list.
- Canadian passport holders: A Canadian passport is on the ETA eligibility list. It is not on the eVisitor eligibility list.
- French and other eligible European passport holders: A French passport holder may be eligible for an ETA or an eVisitor. Other eligible European passports may qualify for an eVisitor, an ETA, or both, depending on the passport country.
- Passport holders not eligible for an ETA or eVisitor: A Visitor visa (subclass 600) may be the relevant visitor route, subject to the purpose of travel and the individual application.
- Travellers with dual nationality: Check the rules for the passport you intend to use. Your Australian visa is electronically linked to that travel document, and other nationality or passport details may also need to be disclosed where required.
Do not assume that living in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada or Europe gives you the same entry option as holding that country's passport. Australian visa eligibility is based on the passport and the traveller's circumstances.
Private assistance with service fees · You can also apply directly through the authorities
How much does an Australian visitor visa cost?
The official charge depends on the visa category. The ETA has a service fee of AUD 20 for use of the official app, while the government eVisitor application is free. A Visitor visa (subclass 600) costs from AUD 250 for the standard overseas Tourist stream, although charges can vary by stream, location, concessions and other circumstances.
Additional costs can sometimes arise for requirements such as health examinations, police certificates or biometrics. If you choose a private assistance service, that service is optional and separate from any government visa charge.
How long can you stay in Australia?
For an ETA or eVisitor, it is important to distinguish visa validity from the permitted stay. These visas are generally valid for travel for 12 months from grant, and can permit multiple entries, but each visit is normally limited to three months.
This does not mean that an ETA or eVisitor permits one continuous 12-month stay. A traveller who needs to stay longer than three months at a time should check whether a different visa is appropriate. A Visitor visa may allow a stay of up to 12 months in some cases, but the period granted is decided for the individual visa.
Passport and entry requirements
Australia links electronic visas to the passport used for the visa process. Travel with a current, valid passport or accepted travel document that matches the visa record. Names, passport numbers and other personal details should be accurate, as mismatches can create problems before boarding or at the border.
There is no universal Australian rule requiring every visitor's passport to have six months of remaining validity. However, your passport must be valid for travel, and airlines or transit countries can have their own document requirements. If you renew or replace a passport, check how the change affects your visa before travelling. ETA holders generally need a new ETA when the passport linked to it expires or is replaced.
Your travel purpose also matters. Visitor visas, ETAs and eVisitors have conditions and do not automatically allow paid work in Australia. Travellers arriving in Australia will generally need to complete an Incoming Passenger Card, and must answer border, customs, health and biosecurity questions accurately.
Other entry requirements for Australia
In addition to holding the appropriate visa, travellers must comply with Australian border, customs and biosecurity requirements. Most arriving passengers must complete an Incoming Passenger Card and declare relevant goods when entering the country.
Australia has strict rules concerning food, plants, animal products and other items that may pose a biosecurity risk. Travellers should check what they can bring and declare items when required. These obligations apply separately from visa eligibility.
Before departure, check your passport details, visa status, transit requirements and any applicable health or customs rules. Meeting visa requirements does not automatically guarantee entry into Australia.
Do children need their own Australian visa?
When a visa is required, each child and baby must have their own appropriate visa or travel authorisation. An ETA or eVisitor held by a parent does not automatically cover their children. Children must also have the required valid passport or travel document. Application arrangements may differ depending on the visa category.
For a child travelling with only one parent, another relative or another adult, it is sensible to check whether the airline, country of departure or Australian authorities require additional consent or supporting documents. These requirements can depend on the journey and the child's circumstances.
What if you are not eligible for an ETA or eVisitor?
A Visitor visa (subclass 600) may be the suitable option for tourism, visiting relatives or friends, a cruise, or eligible business-visitor activities when an ETA or eVisitor is unavailable or unsuitable. It can also be relevant when a traveller plans a longer stay than an electronic visitor visa permits.
Other visa categories may be necessary if the main purpose is work, long-term study, joining family, medical treatment or another activity outside visitor conditions. Holding a passport from an ETA or eVisitor country does not guarantee that an electronic visa will be granted or that entry will be allowed.
How to check your Australia entry requirements
Before booking non-refundable travel, check the requirements for the exact passport you will use, your main reason for visiting, your intended length of stay, and any circumstances that could affect eligibility. This is particularly important for travellers with more than one nationality, a new passport, previous Australian visas or plans that combine tourism with other activities.
Go2entry can help you identify the entry formalities that may apply to your individual trip. It is an independent travel-formality checker, not an Australian government visa application system, and it cannot guarantee a visa decision or admission at the border.