 Ensuring you have the appropriate Passports and Visas before leaving home is the key to a trouble free entry into Australia.
Passports
All visitors to Australia must carry a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date you intend to leave the country. All visitors to Australia need to apply for a Visa or ETA before they travel to Australia (except for New Zealand citizens).
Australian Visitor Visa Options
Travellers to Australia need a valid passport or similar certificate of identification. Everyone, except travellers with Australian or New Zealand passports, requires a visa.
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
An electronically stored authority for short-term visits to Australia of up to 3 months. Available to passport holders from 32 countries and regions. Applications must be made from outside Australia. (See below)
Tourist Visa (subclass 676)
A temporary visa generally granted for a stay of 3 months or 6 months. In certain circumstances a stay of 12 months may be granted. (See below)
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
An ETA is equivalent to a visa, but there is no stamp or label in your passport and there is no need for you to visit an Australian diplomatic office to submit an application.
Now, you can also submit applications online, and in most cases, your ETA can be approved in less than 30 seconds. The ETA is issued electronically by a computer system operated for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) of Australia. When an application for an ETA is submitted through their site, all you need to do is enter the details from your passport and your credit card information. The application is processed immediately. Approved applications are electronically recorded on Australian Government systems.
When you arrive at an airport for check-in on a flight to Australia, the airline check-in staff can electronically confirm that you have authority to board the flight to Australia.
If you do not want to do this yourself, then simply ask for your flight agent to lodge it when you are booking your flights. This is the most popular option.
Am I Eligible?
You are only eligible to apply for an ETA while you are outside of Australia. To apply you must also hold one of the listed ETA-eligible passports below. If you do not meet these criteria, then you should contact your nearest Australian visa office for further options.
Travellers holding the following passports may now apply for an ETA:
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong SAR
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- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
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- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- USA
- Vatican City
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Tourist Visa (subclass 676)
This visa is for people who want to visit Australia for a holiday or recreation, or to visit family and/or friends. This visa may also be used for other short-term non-work purposes including study for less than three months. This visa is for you if you are:
- outside Australia and want to apply for a visa to visit Australia
- in Australia and want to extend your stay as a visitor.
For information on applying for this Visa then please click here.
Visa Exemptions
You do not need a visa or ETA to visit Australia if you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen.
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