Australia entry requirements for travellers from Ireland
Do Irish citizens need a visa for Australia?
Yes, though it is free. Irish passport holders qualify for the eVisitor (subclass 651), applied for online at no cost, and it must be granted before you board. There is no visa free entry to Australia and no option to arrange anything on arrival.
Ireland also appears on the Electronic Travel Authority list, which carries a service charge of AUD20 for the Australian ETA App. Since the eVisitor gives the same entitlement for nothing, that is the route to take.
How long can you stay in Australia?
The eVisitor allows up to three months on each entry and is valid for twelve months with unlimited entries.
Irish travel to Australia often involves long visits to family or friends. If you want a single stay of six or twelve months, the eVisitor will not stretch to it: apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600), which costs from AUD250.
Passport validity requirements
Your passport must be valid for the whole of your stay. Australia does not require six months of validity beyond your departure, though airlines and transit countries may. The eVisitor is tied to your passport, so apply again after renewing it.
Proof of funds
You must be able to support yourself during the visit and to pay for your departure. There is no published minimum, though a long open ended stay with no visible means of support can prompt questions at the border.
Onward or return travel
A return ticket is not a formal requirement. Airlines sometimes ask on one way bookings, which is worth knowing if you are travelling out with no fixed return date.
Applying for your eVisitor
Apply online through ImmiAccount from outside Australia. There is no fee. You must be an Irish citizen holding an Irish passport, and you will need an email address and your travel details.
If you have a criminal conviction, apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) rather than an eVisitor, since arriving on an eVisitor with an undisclosed conviction can lead to refusal of entry.
Health requirements
No vaccinations are required for entry from Ireland. A yellow fever certificate is required only if you have been in a yellow fever risk country in the six days before arrival.
Australia and Ireland have a reciprocal health care agreement covering medically necessary treatment in public hospitals. It does not cover ambulance transport, repatriation or ongoing care, so travel insurance is still essential.
Other entry requirements
Complete the Incoming Passenger Card on the flight. Australian biosecurity rules are strict: meat and dairy products, fresh food, seeds, nuts and wooden or plant items must be declared. Fines are issued at the border for undeclared goods.
Cash of AUD10,000 or more, or the euro equivalent, must be declared.
Frequently asked questions
Should I apply for the eVisitor or the ETA?
The eVisitor. It is free and gives the same three months per entry as the ETA, which charges AUD20 through the app.
Can I stay longer than three months?
Not on a single eVisitor entry. You can return within the twelve month validity, but for one continuous longer stay you need a Visitor visa. Working holiday arrangements are a separate visa category with their own rules.
Can I work on an eVisitor?
No. Tourism, family visits and business visitor activities such as meetings and conferences are allowed. Paid work is not.
Does the health care agreement cover everything?
No. It covers medically necessary public hospital treatment only. Insurance is still needed for the rest.
Do children need their own eVisitor?
Yes, including infants.
What if I renew my passport before travelling?
Apply again with the new passport, since the eVisitor is linked to the passport number.