Visa Information
If you are not an Australian citizen you will need a valid visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter Australia. With the exception of New Zealand citizens, all foreign nationals must obtain a visa/ETA before travelling to Australia. New Zealand citizens are issued with a visa on arrival in Australia. Visas are available from Australian visa offices, such as Australian embassies, high commissions and consulates. They are also available electronically, over the internet. With an ETA, you don’t need a stamp in your passport, as they are confirmed electronically on your arrival. Visit the Australian Government's Electronic Travel Authority site to check your eligibility for an online ETA. A service charge of $20 AUD applies for online applications. Some travel agents and airlines may also assit you with visas. Standard three-month tourist visas are valid for multiple entries over one year. Six-month visas are also available. If you’re on a three-month visa and want to stay longer, you can extend your visa in Melbourne. Contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship at 2 Lonsdale Street, in Melbourne's city centre (Ph 131 881). Apply at least a month prior to expiration of your visa. Citizens from Britain, the Republic of Ireland, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Korea, Malta, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Hong Kong – aged between 18 and 30 and without children – can also apply for a 12-month working holiday visa, which allows the holder to work for up to three months with any one employer. Visas must be arranged several months prior to travel to Australia. For information on how to apply for an immigration visa and living in Victoria, visit the Live in Victoria website. Prior to landing on Australian soil, you will be given an incoming passenger card to complete, as well as Customs and quarantine forms. Australia has particularly strict quarantine laws – you must declare all goods of animal or plant origin, and you’re not allowed to bring fresh fruit or vegetables into the country. If you’re unsure about any items, you should declare them. And if you’ve been snacking on the flight, place any leftovers in the amnesty quarantine bins in the arrival area or on the way to the luggage collection bay. Australian customs regulations allow anyone over 18 to import the following goods duty free: $400 AUD worth of goods, not including alcohol or tobacco; 2.25 litres of alcohol; 250 cigarettes, or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products (other than cigarettes). If you are carrying $10,000 AUD cash or more (or foreign currency equivalent) into or out of Australia you will need to fill out a Cross-Border Movement – Physical Currency (CBM-PC) form. If asked at the border, you must also tell a Customs or police officer, if you are carrying any Bearer Negotiable Instruments (BNIs) – also known as promissory notes, travellers cheques, personal cheques, money orders and postal orders. Even if the BNI has no face value (for example, a blank cheque), it still needs to be disclosed to a Customs or police officer on request. You will be given a form to fill out if required. For more information visit the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) website or call the AUSTRAC Help Desk on 1300 021 037.Visas
Customs
Money
Further Information
