Which Australian visa do I need?

Citizens of the USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan can use the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA, subclass 601) for AUD $20. UK, Irish, and EU citizens use the free eVisitor (subclass 651). Citizens of China, India, and most other Asian and African countries need a Visitor Visa (subclass 600) starting from AUD $200. New Zealand citizens receive a Special Category Visa automatically on arrival.

How much does an Australian tourist visa cost?

The ETA (subclass 601) is AUD $20. The eVisitor (subclass 651) is free. The Visitor Visa (subclass 600) starts at AUD $200 for the Tourist stream (raised from $190 on 1 July 2024). The Working Holiday (417) and Work and Holiday (462) visas are AUD $650.

How long does it take to get an Australian tourist visa?

ETAs are usually issued instantly through the Australian ETA app. eVisitor approvals come within 1 business day. Visitor Visas (600) take from 1 day to several months depending on country and stream. Working Holiday visas take 1–4 weeks.

Can I work in Australia on a tourist visa?

No. The ETA, eVisitor, and Visitor Visa (600) prohibit work. To work in Australia you need a Working Holiday Visa (417, ages 18–30 or 18–35 depending on nationality) or a Work and Holiday Visa (462) where eligible.

Do I need travel insurance for a tourist visa?

Travel insurance is not a visa condition for ETA, eVisitor, or 600 holders, but it is strongly recommended. Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with the UK, Ireland, NZ, Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, and Sweden — citizens of other countries should arrange comprehensive cover before travelling.

How much does healthcare cost in Australia without insurance?

A standard GP consultation costs around AUD $80–$120 out of pocket. An emergency department visit at a public hospital can run AUD $400–$1,000 if you are not eligible under Medicare or a reciprocal agreement. Ambulance call-outs are not free — they are billed separately and can exceed AUD $1,000 in some states (Queensland and Tasmania cover residents only). A serious medical episode requiring admission, scans and surgery routinely exceeds AUD $50,000 for uninsured visitors. Comprehensive travel insurance with at least AUD $5 million medical cover is the standard recommendation.

Does travel insurance cover the activities I want to do in Australia?

Many Australian holiday activities are excluded from standard policies and need an "adventure" or activity upgrade. The most common gotchas: scuba diving (any depth), snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef (often included, but check), surfing, hiking above 2,000m, riding a moped or motorcycle (extremely common rejection), skydiving, bungy jumping, and any activity where alcohol is involved. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying — what is covered varies significantly between insurers.

Where do I apply for an Australian visa?

Apply through the official Australian Government channels: the Australian ETA app (iOS and Android) for ETAs, or ImmiAccount at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au for all other visa subclasses. Avoid third-party agents who charge fees on top of the official application fee unless you need professional help with a complex matter.

Australian visa and travel documents guide for international visitors

Australian Visa Guide

ETA (subclass 601), eVisitor (651), Visitor Visa (600), and Working Holiday (417/462) — eligibility, costs, processing times, and how to apply through the official Australian Government channels.

Which visa do I need?

USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan: Electronic Travel Authority (ETA, subclass 601) — instant, AUD $20
UK, Ireland & EU/European countries: eVisitor (subclass 651) — free, usually approved within a day
China, India, most Asian & African countries: Visitor Visa (subclass 600) — from AUD $200
Working Holiday (subclass 417): ages 18–30 (or 18–35 for UK, Ireland, Canada, France, Italy, Denmark) — UK, Ireland, Canada, most Western European nations
Work and Holiday (subclass 462): ages 18–30 — USA, Argentina, Chile, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and others (often with annual caps)
New Zealand citizens: No visa needed — Special Category Visa granted automatically on arrival

Sort travel insurance before you book your flight

Australian healthcare is not free for visitors. A single emergency-department visit can run AUD $400–$1,000; a serious medical episode routinely tops AUD $50,000. Only citizens of 11 reciprocal-agreement countries (UK, Ireland, NZ, Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden) get partial Medicare cover — everyone else pays full price.

Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) — Subclass 601

Who is eligible: Citizens of eligible passport countries (USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan). UK and most EU citizens use eVisitor instead.
Duration: Up to 3 months per visit, valid for 12 months (multiple entries)
Cost: AUD $20 service charge
Processing time: Usually instant via the Australian ETA app

The fastest and cheapest option for eligible passport holders. Apply through the official Australian ETA app (available on iOS and Android). No work permitted.

Official details on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

eVisitor — Subclass 651

Who is eligible: Citizens of European Union countries, UK, and several other European nations
Duration: Up to 3 months per visit, valid for 12 months (multiple entries)
Cost: Free
Processing time: Usually within 1 business day

Free electronic visa for eligible European passport holders. Apply online through ImmiAccount. No work permitted beyond incidental business activities.

Official details on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Visitor Visa — Subclass 600

Who is eligible: Anyone not eligible for ETA or eVisitor (including citizens of China, India, most Asian and African countries)
Duration: Up to 3, 6, or 12 months depending on stream
Cost: From AUD $200 (Tourist stream, as of 1 July 2024)
Processing time: 1 day to several months depending on country and stream

The general tourist visa. Four streams available: Tourist, Business Visitor, Sponsored Family, and Approved Destination Status. Apply through ImmiAccount.

Official details on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Working Holiday Visa — Subclass 417

Who is eligible: Citizens of eligible countries aged 18–30 (or 18–35 for some countries): UK, Ireland, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and others
Duration: 12 months (extendable up to 3 years with regional work)
Cost: AUD $650
Processing time: 1–4 weeks (apply up to 12 months before travel)

Work and travel in Australia. Can extend to a second and third year by completing specified regional work. Very popular for backpackers and long-term travellers.

Official details on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Work and Holiday Visa — Subclass 462

Who is eligible: Citizens of eligible countries aged 18–30: USA, Argentina, Chile, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and others
Duration: 12 months (extendable up to 3 years with regional work)
Cost: AUD $650
Processing time: 2–8 weeks

Similar to 417 but for different nationalities. Some countries require government support letters. Annual caps may apply.

Official details on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Transit Visa — Subclass 771

Who is eligible: Travellers transiting through Australia for up to 72 hours (not required for ETA/eVisitor holders)
Duration: Up to 72 hours
Cost: Free
Processing time: 1–2 weeks

Required if you are transiting through Australia and do not hold another valid visa. You cannot leave the airport transit zone.

Official details on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Stay connected when you land — Airalo eSIM

Skip airport SIM kiosks. Install an Airalo eSIM before you fly — works on most phones from the last 5 years and activates the moment you switch off airplane mode.

Scan to install on your phone

Once your visa is sorted: what to plan next

Australia is bigger than most visitors expect — Sydney to Perth is a five-hour flight, roughly the same as London to Tehran. Most arrivals underestimate distance, season, and the cost of healthcare. Sort these five things before you fly and the rest of the trip falls into place.

1. Travel insurance with adventure cover

Standard policies don't cover scuba, motorbikes/scooters, or hikes above 2,000m — and Australia is full of all three. Buy comprehensive cover with at least AUD $5 million in medical, AUD $5,000 cancellation, and an explicit adventure-activity rider if you plan to dive the Reef, surf, or rent a moped. Heymondo offers a 5% Touring Guide reader discount and includes a 24/7 chat line for medical incidents.

Get a Heymondo quote with 5% discount

2. Flights — book early, pick the right gateway

Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), Brisbane (BNE), and Perth (PER) handle the bulk of international arrivals. Long-haul fares from Europe and North America are cheapest in May–August (shoulder season here, low season for European outbound). Compare fares across alliances on Skyscanner — direct fares are often within 10% of one-stop options to Sydney/Melbourne but quickly inflate for regional airports like Cairns or Hobart.

Compare flights on Skyscanner

3. Accommodation — book the first three nights, leave the rest flexible

Plan a buffer for jet lag in your arrival city. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane cancellation policies on Booking.com and similar platforms give you flexibility if your itinerary changes after the first week. Beyond the capitals, regional stays (national park lodges, outback roadhouses) often have stricter cancellation — confirm before booking.

Search hotels on Booking.com

4. Getting around — hire car, domestic flights, or both

If you're driving: international licences are accepted for short stays from most countries (English translation required if your licence isn't in English). Drive on the left. Distances are deceptive — Sydney to Byron Bay is an 8-hour drive, Adelaide to Uluru is 17 hours. For long routes, fly between capitals and pick up a hire car at the regional end. Compare hire prices on Discover Cars rather than walking in at the airport counter (often 30–40% cheaper online).

Compare hire cars on Discover Cars

5. Connectivity, payments, and biosecurity at the border

Install an eSIM before you board so it activates the moment you land — Airalo covers most modern phones. Bring a contactless card or Apple/Google Pay; tap-to-pay is universal in Australia, and ATM withdrawals attract foreign-transaction fees on most non-Australian cards. Declare everything at customs. Australia has the strictest biosecurity laws in the world — wooden items, food, fresh produce, and even hiking boots with mud must be declared. On-the-spot infringements start at AUD $5,500 for individuals, and fines reach AUD $660,000 for serious breaches. When in doubt, declare it.

Get an Airalo eSIM before you fly

The travel-insurance gotchas Australians wish you knew

Pre-existing conditions: most policies exclude undeclared conditions even if a claim is unrelated. Disclose everything when you buy — the underwriter usually still covers you, often with a small premium uplift.
Mopeds and motorbikes: hiring a scooter on Magnetic Island, in the Whitsundays, or around Byron Bay feels casual, but most insurers require a full motorcycle licence (not just a car licence) and a helmet to honour a claim. A serious moped accident on a regional Australian road can run AUD $50,000–$150,000 once ambulance, ICU, and rehab are billed — uninsured tourists pay every dollar.
Alcohol: claims involving any alcohol use are routinely rejected, even when alcohol wasn't the cause. The standard Heymondo, Cover-More and World Nomads PDS all carry this clause.
Remote-area medical evacuation: being airlifted out of Kakadu, the Kimberley, or Tasmania's Overland Track can run AUD $30,000–$80,000. Confirm your policy's evacuation cap covers it.
Excess and the “per claim” trap: a low excess on a cheap policy often means each separate claim incurs the excess again. If you lose a bag with multiple items, that can add up fast.

Tips for Travellers

Apply early

Processing times vary — apply well before your travel date. Some visa subclasses have annual quotas (the 462 in particular).

Use official channels only

Apply through the official Australian Government ImmiAccount portal or the Australian ETA app. Avoid third-party visa agents charging unnecessary fees on top of the official application charge unless you genuinely need professional help.

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for the duration of your intended stay. Most countries recommend at least 6 months validity beyond your departure date.

Working-holiday conditions

WHV (417/462) holders cannot work for the same employer for more than 6 months. Specified regional work unlocks a second and third year — check the official list before committing to a job.

Looking at a longer-term visa?

Partner, skilled migration, employer-sponsored, and refusal cases are a different category — outside the tourist-visa scope of this page. We have a more detailed guide to if you want to read further. For advice on your specific circumstances, contact a registered Australian Legal Practitioner or a MARA-registered Migration Agent.

Official Resources

Department of Home Affairs — Visa Finder — Check which visa you need and apply online
Smart Traveller (DFAT) — Travel advisories and safety information
Australian Border Force — Customs, biosecurity, and border requirements
Services Australia — Reciprocal Health Care — Check if your country has a healthcare agreement

Pre-flight checklist — don't leave home without

✅ Visa granted (ETA / eVisitor / 600 / WHV)
✅ Passport valid for the duration of stay (6+ months recommended)
✅ Travel insurance with adventure cover and AUD $5M+ medical
✅ eSIM installed (activates on arrival)
✅ Accommodation booked for the first three nights
✅ Contactless payment card with low foreign-transaction fees

Plan the rest of your trip

Trip Planner Travel Checklists Travel Advisories Driving Rules Backpacker Hostels

On a Working Holiday Visa? Browse backpacker hostels including working hostels that help with the 88-day regional work requirement for the 2nd-year extension.