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Australia·Visa & entry

Australia visa requirements and entry rules

Standard visa-free allowance, e-visa or visa-on-arrival options, mandatory pre-arrival cards, customs notes, and the practical entry mechanics. The country safety guide's Getting In chapter covers the per-nationality detail.

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Headline
Subclass 600 / 651 e-Visitor 90 days visa-free for most Western

Pre-arrival card

ETA / e-Visitor

Official portal

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/

Specifics

  • ETA AUD 20 for U.S., Canadian, Japanese, Singaporean, etc.; valid 12 months, multiple stays of up to 3 months.
  • e-Visitor free for EU/EEA, UK, Swiss; same conditions.
  • Strict biosecurity at customs; declare all food, plant, wood items.

By passport nationality

Headline rule for the nine most-trafficked passport groups. Always confirm on Australia’s immigration portal before booking; visa policy changes frequently.

  • US passport
    ETA required
    Up to 90 days · AUD 20
    Pre-arrival: ETA (subclass 601)
    • ETA valid 12 months, multiple stays of up to 3 months.
  • UK passport
    ETA required
    Up to 90 days · free
    Pre-arrival: e-Visitor (subclass 651)
    • e-Visitor free; valid 12 months.
  • EU passport
    ETA required
    Up to 90 days · free
    Pre-arrival: e-Visitor (subclass 651)
    • e-Visitor free for most EU.
  • CA passport
    ETA required
    Up to 90 days · AUD 20
    Pre-arrival: ETA
    • ETA valid 12 months.
  • AU passport
    Visa-free
    No day limit
    • Citizens of Australia.
  • IN passport
    Consular visa required
    Up to 90 days · AUD 195
    Pre-arrival: Visitor visa (subclass 600)
    • Online via immi.homeaffairs.gov.au; processing days to weeks.
  • BR passport
    Consular visa required
    Up to 90 days · AUD 195
    Pre-arrival: Visitor visa
    • Online via immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
  • JP passport
    ETA required
    Up to 90 days · AUD 20
    Pre-arrival: ETA
    • ETA valid 12 months.
  • CN passport
    Consular visa required
    Up to 90 days · AUD 195
    Pre-arrival: Visitor visa
    • Online via immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.

Practical guidance

For most short-stay tourists

The headline rule for Australia is subclass 600 / 651 e-visitor 90 days visa-free for most western. US passport-holders specifically get eta required for up to 90 days at AUD 20, with ETA (subclass 601) required pre-arrival. See the by-passport block above for your specific nationality.

Pre-arrival documentation

Australia requires ETA / e-Visitor before boarding. Airlines check this at the gate; without it you will be denied boarding even if your visa is in order. Allow at least 72 hours for processing in case the portal queues, longer if you are travelling on a national holiday in Australia.

When to apply

For visa-required nationalities, apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Visa-on-arrival and e-Visa systems process in 1 to 7 days typically but can stall around major holidays or political events; do not book non-refundable travel against a pending application. Australia’s official portal is immi.homeaffairs.gov.au; only apply through that portal or through your nearest Australia embassy or consulate. Third-party visa services charge for what the government provides at cost.

Common rejection reasons

Passport with under 6 months validity from intended exit date. Fewer than two blank visa pages. No confirmed onward or return ticket. Travel insurance not naming Australia explicitly (Schengen-style coverage minimums apply for many European destinations). Prior visa overstays anywhere, especially in neighbouring countries. Most rejections cite one of these five rather than a substantive concern about the traveller.

Related for Australia

More on Australia

Read the Australia visa and entry requirements chapter →

Australia is statistically among the safest large countries in the world for tourists. Violent crime is rare and the major cities operate at Western European safety baselines. What kills foreign visitors in Australia, in order, is water (rip currents and unfamiliar swimming conditions), heat and UV, road accidents on remote routes, and the country’s well-publicised dangerous wildlife (mostly less consequential than the reputation suggests, though box jellyfish in the tropical north genuinely earn it). This guide unpacks each, plus the bushfire and cyclone seasons that shape the regional calendar.

Frequently asked about Australia

Do I need a visa to travel to Australia?

The headline rule is: Subclass 600 / 651 e-Visitor 90 days visa-free for most Western. Specific allowance depends on your passport nationality; the by-passport block on this page covers the 9 most-trafficked passports (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, India, Brazil, Japan, China). Always confirm on Australia's official immigration portal before booking, visa policy changes frequently.

How long can I stay in Australia on a tourist visa?

Subclass 600 / 651 e-Visitor 90 days visa-free for most Western. ETA / e-Visitor is required pre-arrival. For per-passport specifics see the block above. Overstaying carries fines and re-entry bans across most jurisdictions.

Can I extend my visa once I'm in Australia?

Most countries allow a one-time extension via the local immigration office for an additional 30 to 90 days, processed within 7 to 14 working days. Australia's policy varies; the safety guide's Getting In chapter covers it where applicable. Apply at least 2 weeks before your existing visa expires.