Complete Guide to Australia's Visa-Free Travel: Countries, Requirements & Policies (2024)

If you’re looking to take a trip to Australia, you’ll need a visa to enter and remain in the country. But if you’re a New Zealand citizen, you can arrive in Australia visa-free. Read on to learn more about entering Australia, what you may need and tips for visiting this vast and beautiful nation.¹

Table of contents
Which Countries' Citizens Can Travel To Australia Without Visa Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for Australia Special Arrangements for Australia Visa-Free Travel Tips for Traveling to Australia Meet Wise: Your Smart Travel Companion for Australia

Which Countries' Citizens Can Travel To Australia Without Visa

Australia doesn’t have a visa-free arrangement with any other country other than New Zealand — which means all travellers will require a visa.

New Zealand citizens get visa-on-arrival entry to Australia thanks to the Special Category Visa (Subclass 444). The SCV allows completely free movement to New Zealand citizens, so you’re not limited to just a specific Australian state or territory.

New Zealand citizens can remain, tour, work or study in Australia with the SCV. More on this in the later section on the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement.

If transiting through on the way to another country, travellers with passports from 67 countries can travel to Australia without a visa with the Travelers Eligible to Transit Without a Visa (TWOV) facility. So with the TWOV, you would not be required to get a visa but the expectation is that you’re transiting through and not remaining in the country for tourism or other reasons.

To qualify for TWOV, you must meet the following conditions:

• Arrive in Australia by aeroplane.
• Have a confirmed ticket to leave Australia for a third country by aeroplane within eight hours of arrival.
• Possess a valid visa to enter the destination country.
• Not leave the airport for any reason.
• Not clear immigration.

However, if you must leave the airport for immigration, collect baggage, or board the next flight, you will need a Transit Visa (Subclass 777).

The 67 TWOV countries include the United States of America, the United Kingdom, almost all European countries, and specific Asian countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates. The complete list is available on the Australian Home Affairs website.

Hong Kong residents holding a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport or a British National Overseas passport, as well as Taiwan residents and Indian official passport holders, can also use the TWOV facility. Similarly, diplomatic passport holders of all countries, except the specific nations listed on the website, are eligible.

The TWOV facility is unavailable to citizens of specific countries, such as Afghanistan, Algeria, the People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and others listed on the Australian Home Affairs website. These passport holders will need a Transit visa.²

Under the Torres Strait Treaty, Torres Strait Islanders and Papua New Guinea coastal people living adjacent to the Strait have visa-free entry to Australia. However, this facility only allows traditional activities in the Protected Zone and nearby areas. Otherwise, they need visas to enter Australia.³

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for Australia

While Australia doesn’t fully offer visa-free entry to foreign nationals, it offers the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) facility to citizens of 33 nations. An eTA is a digital way to enter a country and can make the immigration process faster and simpler.

The eTA itself is not a visa but allows you to enter Australia. Keep in mind you must apply for an Australian eTA before leaving your country.

Passport holders from the following countries can use the eTA:

Austria	Belgium	Canada
Denmark	France	Germany
Greece	Italy	Japan
Malaysia	Portugal	Singapore
South Korea	Spain	Sweden
United Kingdom	United States	Hong Kong

There are additional countries that qualify; you can find the entire list on the Home Affairs website.

The eTA allows eligible passport holders to:

• Enter Australia as a tourist or on a cruise,
• Visit family and friends,
• Enter or review business contracts,
• Participate in trade seminars, or
• Conduct activities as part of an official government trip.

The eTA typically allows you to remain in Australia for up to three months in one trip. This differs from a regular tourist visa which allows you to stay for up to 12 months.

To be eligible for an eTA you must:

• Apply from outside of Australia.
• Hold a passport from one of the eligible countries.
• Use the Australian eTA app.
• Watch the video guides about the Australian eTA.

There is only one fee and that’s a service charge of $20 AUD to use the Australian eTA app.⁴

Special Arrangements for Australia Visa-Free Travel

Foreign nationals don’t have visa-free options to travel to Australia, but there are some special arrangements. Let’s dive deeper into the Special Category Visa for New Zealand citizens, working holiday arrangements for UK citizens and APEC Business Travel Cardholders.

Trans-Tasman Agreement for NZ Citizens

The Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement and the Special Category Visa (Subclass 444) let New Zealand citizens stay, study, visit and work in Australia. New Zealand citizens will need to have a valid passport, and if applicable, provide evidence of studying or working in Australia at immigration. If approved, officials will provide a temporary visa. You can stay in the country and the visa expires when you leave Australia.⁵

Learn more from our guide to the Trans-Tasman Travel Agreement.

Working Holiday Arrangements for UK Citizens

Australia and the United Kingdom have an agreement that allows UK passport holders between the ages of 18 and 35 years old to apply for Working Holiday visas. Those who are 35 years old can apply up to one day shy of their 36th birthday.

A Working Holiday visa lets young people work and stay in Australia for up to 12 months. It is a flexible arrangement that doesn’t require showing existing employment or offers of work in Australia. This also applies if you want to extend your visa.

To qualify for a Working Holiday visa, you must:

• Be a UK citizen or passport holder.
• Be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Have enough money to support your stay.
• Have health insurance coverage.
• Not have a criminal record.

While it is not visa-free entry, the Working Holiday visa allows additional ease for young UK passport holders to enter and stay in Australia.⁶

APEC Business Travel Card Holders

Foreign nationals holding an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) with “AUS” printed on its reverse side can enter Australia without a visa. The ABTC allows eligible foreign nationals to stay in Australia for business for up to 90 days.

The ABTC card is essentially for business travellers who travel around the region. It lets cardholders enter APEC countries visa-free and go through a fast-tracked immigration process. To be eligible, you must apply locally, meet your country’s requirements to qualify for an ABTC and ensure your passport number is linked to the card.⁷

Southeast Asian Access

Australia enjoys a unique business travel arrangement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, such as Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Qualifying business visitors from these nations don’t get visa-free entry to Australia but can enjoy special privileges with the Subclass 600 Business Visitor visa. It allows business travellers to stay for up to three months at a time during multiple visits, with an extended validity of five years.⁸

Tips for Traveling to Australia

With beautiful beaches, cosmopolitan cities, natural wildlife and First Nations culture, Australia is a fantastic country to visit. Business travellers will also find a strong talent pool, a pro-business culture and creative entrepreneurship.

But visiting Australia can be a large undertaking and include lots of travel. Here are some general tips on how to navigate your trip down under, common mistakes to avoid and what to know about paying locally.

Documents to Carry with You

One of the most important documents for foreign travellers to hold when going to Australia is a valid and up-to-date passport. The passport should ideally be valid for at least a couple of months post your trip. Next, make sure you have your Australian visa or, if applicable, eTA. An eTA must be completed online before arriving in the country.

You may be asked for additional information at immigration- such as your trip plan and where you will be staying- so it can be handy to have those details available on paper or in your mobile. Lastly, make sure that you have your signed Incoming Passenger Card, which should be provided to you before heading to immigration.

While New Zealand citizens can travel to Australia without a visa beforehand, they must show a valid passport, and complete and sign the Incoming Passenger Card, which includes health and character declarations, at immigration.

It can also be a good idea to have evidence of any travel insurance coverage during your stay in Australia.⁹

Common mistakes to avoid

Foreign nationals travelling to Australia should avoid these common mistakes:

• Australian immigration is strict about what can be brought into the country. Things like homemade or aeroplane food are not allowed, while coffee will need to be declared. Check with the Australian Border Force websiteto make sure you don’t bring in anything that is not allowed.
• Many tourists underestimate Australia’s size and may think to travel between cities by car. However, travelling across the country or between the major cities can take a lot of time by car. Flying is typically a better and safer option, and it can be relatively easy to book a domestic flight.
• Australia is in the southern hemisphere, which means seasons are flipped compared to the northern hemisphere. So while you may fly down to Australia with a winter coat on, you may need shorts and a t-shirt when you land.
• There is a lot to see in Australia so create a solid itinerary ahead of time that fits your schedule and style of travel.
• Australia can be expensive, with an average meal costing around $30 AUD. Plan your budget ahead of time and look online for cheap eats or activities that can ease the pressure on your wallet.
• Medical expenses can be high in Australia, and with numerous outdoor activities, it can be a good idea to get a travel insurance policy before you arrive.
• Overpacking luggage is another common mistake travellers need to avoid especially if flying domestically. Australian flights have strict carry-on limits so try to reduce how much you bring or be ready to pay additional fees.
• Australian summers can be very hot, so pack sunscreen and sun-blocking clothes, and stay hydrated if you go during the warm season.¹⁰

Paying for Expenses in Australia

The Australian dollar is a strong currency, with a favourable exchange rate against most global currencies.

Australia’s robust banking system allows you to make payments with cash, card, and mobile wallets such as Google Walleter or Apple Pay.

While you may be able to use your existing cards nearly everywhere in Australia, you might have to deal with high markup charges and foreign exchange fees that make your purchases more expensive. Using a multi-currency travel card such as Wise is an excellent alternative with transparent exchange rates and low fees. Available in supported countries, Wise offers the mid-market rate on currency conversions, which is the usually the same rate you see on Google, ensuring that you don’t lose money to extra fees or hidden mark-ups.

Meet Wise: Your Smart Travel Companion for Australia

Wise offers a convenient travel card and money transfer services that make managing your finances abroad a breeze. The Wise card lets you spend like a local in over 150+ countries - including Australia.

Get started with Wise 🚀

Here's why Wise is a great choice for your travel to Australia:

• Excellent exchange rates: Always get the mid-market exchange rate – the same one you usually see on Google – so you get the most out of your money.
• Low, transparent fees: Say goodbye to hidden charges and hefty markups. Wise keeps its fees low and transparent, so you know exactly what you're paying.
• Convenient card and app: Use your Wise card to swipe like a local in supported countries. Manage your money, track spending, and even freeze your card if needed, all through the Wise app .
• Cash withdrawals: Easily withdraw cash from supported ATMs abroad with low, transparent fees. But be mindful that ATM providers may charge their own cash withdrawal fees.
• International transfers: Send money abroad with the same mid-market exchange rates and low fees.

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Sources used for this article:

1. Australia visa-free entry
2. Travelers eligible to transit without a visa (TWOV)
3. Torres Strait Treaty visa-free entry to Australia
4. Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
5. Entry Requirements for New Zealand citizens
6. Working Holiday Arrangements for UK passport holders
7. APEC Business Travel Card members
8. Business Visa Subclass 600 for ASEAN member countries
9. Documents to carry when traveling to Australia
10. Can you bring it in?