Australia entry requirements for travellers from the UK
Do British citizens need a visa for Australia?
Yes, but only in the loosest sense. British citizens cannot simply turn up: you must hold a visa or travel authority before you board. The good news is that British citizens qualify for the eVisitor (subclass 651), which is free and applied for online.
British citizens also appear on the Electronic Travel Authority list, which costs AUD20 as a service charge for the Australian ETA App. Since the eVisitor gives you the same three months per entry over the same twelve month period at no cost, there is no reason for a British citizen to pay for an ETA.
The distinction matters for other British passports. Holders of a British National (Overseas) passport are eligible for the Electronic Travel Authority but not the eVisitor. British Overseas Citizens, British Subjects, British Protected Persons and British Dependent Territories Citizens cannot use either and must apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600).
How long can you stay in Australia?
The eVisitor allows stays of up to three months on each entry, with as many entries as you like during the twelve months the authority is valid. It is not a single use permit, so a three month trip followed by a break and a further visit is perfectly normal.
If you want a single longer visit, up to twelve months, you need a Visitor visa (subclass 600) instead, which costs from AUD250.
Passport validity requirements
Your passport must be valid for your whole stay. Australia does not apply a six month validity rule, unlike many destinations, but your eVisitor is linked to the passport you applied with. Renew the passport and you must apply again with the new number before you travel.
Proof of funds
You must have enough money to support yourself and to leave at the end of the visit. There is no published figure. Border officers rarely ask British visitors for evidence, but a long stay with no obvious means of support invites questions.
Onward or return travel
There is no formal requirement to hold a return ticket, though airlines occasionally ask. Being able to show when you intend to leave helps, particularly on a stay approaching the full three months.
Applying for your eVisitor
Apply online through ImmiAccount, from outside Australia. It is free. You need your British passport, an email address and your travel details. Many applications are decided quickly, but do not book on the assumption of an instant grant.
You must be a British citizen and hold a British citizen passport. If your passport says anything else, check which pathway applies to you before applying.
Health requirements
No vaccinations are required for entry from the UK. A health examination is unusual for short visits, though it can be requested for longer stays or if you will be working in a healthcare setting.
Australia and the UK have a reciprocal health care agreement covering medically necessary treatment in public hospitals. It does not cover ambulance transport, repatriation or pre-existing conditions, so travel insurance is still essential.
Other entry requirements
Complete the Incoming Passenger Card on the flight. Australian biosecurity rules catch out a large number of British visitors: fresh food, seeds, wooden items and anything containing meat or dairy must be declared. Fines are issued at the border.
Cash of AUD10,000 or more, or the sterling equivalent, must be declared.
Many British travellers with an ePassport can use SmartGate on arrival rather than queueing for an officer.
Frequently asked questions
Should I apply for an eVisitor or an ETA?
If you hold a British citizen passport, apply for the eVisitor. It is free and gives you the same entitlement as the ETA, which carries an AUD20 app charge.
Can I stay for six months on an eVisitor?
Not in one go. Each entry is limited to three months. You can return within the twelve month validity period, but repeatedly resetting the clock with short trips out of the country will attract attention at the border. For a longer single stay, apply for a Visitor visa.
I hold a British National (Overseas) passport. Can I use the eVisitor?
No. BNO passport holders are excluded from the eVisitor but can apply for an Electronic Travel Authority through the Australian ETA App.
Can I work on an eVisitor?
No. It allows tourism, visiting family, business visitor activities such as meetings and conferences, and in some circumstances up to three months of study. Paid work is not permitted.
Do children need their own eVisitor?
Yes. Every traveller needs their own, including infants.
What happens if I renew my passport after applying?
The authority is tied to the passport number, so apply again with the new passport before you travel.