Australia Visa Requirements 2026
Visa requirements for Australia: electronic travel authorisation for up to 3 months. Updated 30 May 2026. Plus passport rules, customs, and prohibited items.
Australia visa at a glance
- Policy
- Electronic travel authorisation
- Length of stay
- 3 months
- Cost
- AUD $20 (ETA) / Free (eVisitor for EU)
- Passport
- Must be valid for the duration of your stay.
- Official source
- immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
ETA AUD $20 for US/Canada/most Asian; eVisitor (free) for EU/UK. Both 3-month stay, valid 12 months.
ETA (subclass 601) for US, Canadian, Japanese, and other eligible passport holders – apply via the Australian ETA app. eVisitor (subclass 651) for UK and EU citizens – apply online and free. Processing is usually instant. Working holiday visas available for under-31s from eligible countries.
Customs allowances
Australia has extremely strict biosecurity laws. Declare ALL food, plant material, animal products, soil, and wooden items. Heavy fines (up to AUD 626,000) and criminal prosecution for undeclared items. Sniffer dogs and X-ray screening at all entry points. When in doubt, declare it.
Prohibited items
Strict drug laws – all recreational drugs illegal. Firearms heavily restricted. Anabolic steroids prohibited without prescription. Performance-enhancing drugs tightly controlled. Some traditional medicines containing endangered species products are prohibited.
Frequently asked questions about Australia visas
Do I need a visa to visit Australia?
Electronic travel authorisation applies for Australia: ETA AUD $20 for US/Canada/most Asian; eVisitor (free) for EU/UK. Both 3-month stay, valid 12 months.
How much does a Australia visa cost?
Entry to Australia is free under the current electronic travel authorisation policy for eligible passports. There is no visa fee. Always check whether your nationality is eligible before booking flights.
How long can I stay in Australia?
The standard electronic travel authorisation allows 3 months per entry. Visa runs (leaving and re-entering to reset the clock) are increasingly scrutinised; do not rely on them.
What passport validity does Australia require?
Must be valid for the duration of your stay.
Where do I apply for a Australia visa?
Apply directly at the official government source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/. Many third-party sites charge inflated fees for the same form. Always check the URL ends in a government domain (.gov, .gov.<country>, or the country's official immigration domain) before paying.