Australia entry requirements for travellers from Japan
Do Japanese citizens need a visa for Australia?
Yes, in the form of an Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601). Japanese passport holders cannot enter Australia without one, and it cannot be obtained on arrival. The ETA is applied for through the Australian ETA App and carries a service charge of AUD20, with no separate visa fee.
Japan is not on the eVisitor list, which is limited to European passports, so the ETA is the standard route for tourism, family visits and business meetings.
How long can you stay in Australia?
An ETA permits stays of up to three months on each entry and remains valid for twelve months, allowing as many trips as you wish in that period.
For a single visit longer than three months, apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600), which can be granted for three, six or twelve months and costs from AUD250.
Passport validity requirements
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. Australia does not impose a six month validity rule, although airlines and transit points may apply their own. Because the ETA is linked to your passport number, renewing your passport means applying for a new ETA.
Proof of funds
You must have enough money to support yourself during the visit and to leave at the end of it. No minimum figure is published, and Japanese visitors are rarely questioned, but the requirement applies to all visitors.
Onward or return travel
There is no formal requirement to hold a return ticket. Airlines occasionally ask on one way bookings, and officers may ask about your plans if you are arriving for a long stay.
Applying for your ETA
Download the Australian ETA App, scan the chip in your passport, take a photograph of yourself and answer the questions. The AUD20 service charge is paid in the app. Most decisions arrive immediately, though some take longer, so apply once your trip is booked rather than at the airport.
If you cannot use the app, or you have a criminal conviction, or you have previously failed the health requirement, apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) through ImmiAccount instead.
Health requirements
No vaccinations are required for entry from Japan. A yellow fever certificate is needed only if you have been in a yellow fever risk country in the six days before arrival.
Australia and Japan do not have a reciprocal health care agreement, so hold travel insurance that covers medical treatment and repatriation.
Other entry requirements
Complete the Incoming Passenger Card given out on the flight. Australian biosecurity rules are strict and unfamiliar to many Japanese travellers: dried and fresh food, seeds, plant material, wooden items and anything containing meat or egg must be declared. Undeclared items attract fines on the spot.
Cash of AUD10,000 or more, or the yen equivalent, must be declared on arrival.
Many travellers with an ePassport can use SmartGate at the major airports.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the ETA at the airport?
No. It must be granted before you board and airlines check at check in. Apply through the app in advance.
Is the ETA App the only way to apply?
Yes, for an ETA. If the app will not work for you, the alternative is a Visitor visa (subclass 600) applied for online through ImmiAccount, which costs more and takes longer.
How long does the ETA last?
Twelve months from grant or until the passport expires, whichever is first, with stays of up to three months on each entry.
Can I work or study on an ETA?
No paid work is allowed. Business visitor activities such as meetings and conferences are permitted. Study beyond a short course requires a student visa.
Do children need their own ETA?
Yes. Every traveller needs their own, including infants.
Can I extend my stay beyond three months?
Not on the ETA. You would need to apply for a further visa from within Australia, which is only possible if your visa carries no condition preventing it.