Australia entry requirements for travellers from the USA
Do US citizens need a visa for Australia?
Yes, in the form of an Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601). There is no visa free entry to Australia for United States passport holders, and there is no option to sort it out on arrival. You must hold the authority before you board.
The ETA is not a full visa application. It is an electronic authority linked to your passport, applied for through the Australian ETA App, with a service charge of AUD20 and no other fee.
US citizens are not eligible for the eVisitor visa, which is limited to European passports, so the ETA is the standard route.
How long can you stay in Australia?
The ETA allows a stay of up to three months on each entry and is valid for twelve months, with unlimited entries in that period. It is not a one trip permit.
If you need a single visit longer than three months, apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) instead, which can be granted for three, six or twelve months and costs from AUD250.
Passport validity requirements
Your passport must remain valid for the whole of your stay. Australia does not require six months of validity beyond your return date, although airlines and any country you transit, including New Zealand or Fiji on a stopover, may apply their own rules.
The ETA is tied to your passport number. If you renew your passport, you must apply for a new ETA before travelling.
Proof of funds
You must be able to support yourself for the visit and pay for your departure. There is no published minimum and US visitors are rarely asked at the border, but the requirement exists and applies to everyone.
Onward or return travel
Australia does not formally require a return ticket, though airlines sometimes ask at check in on a one way booking. Be ready to explain your plans if you are arriving without onward travel.
Applying for your ETA
You must use the Australian ETA App, which is the only channel for an ETA. Download it, scan your passport chip, take a photograph of yourself, and complete the questions. The AUD20 charge is a service charge for the app, not a visa fee.
Most decisions come back immediately. Some take longer if the department needs to look further, so apply as soon as you have 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 the United States. A yellow fever certificate is required only if you have been in a yellow fever risk country in the six days before arrival, which catches some travellers routing through South America.
There is no reciprocal health care agreement between Australia and the United States, so all medical costs are yours. Travel insurance matters more here than for most visitors.
Other entry requirements
Complete the Incoming Passenger Card handed out on the flight. Australia’s biosecurity rules are far stricter than anything at a US port of entry: fresh fruit, nuts, meat snacks, seeds and wooden souvenirs all have to be declared, and undeclared items attract on the spot fines.
Cash of AUD10,000 or more, or the US dollar equivalent, must be declared.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an ETA at the airport?
No. It must be granted before you board, and airlines check. Apply through the ETA App as soon as your trip is booked.
Is the ETA a visa?
It is a visa in law, granted as subclass 601, but it works like a travel authority: there is no interview, no paperwork and no stamp.
How long does the ETA last?
Twelve months from grant, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Each visit within that period can be up to three months.
Can I work on an ETA?
No. Tourism, visiting family and business visitor activities such as meetings and conferences are allowed. Paid work is not.
Do children need their own ETA?
Yes, including infants. Each traveller needs an authority linked to their own passport.
What if the app will not read my passport?
Some older phones and damaged passport chips cause problems. If you cannot complete the app process, apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) through ImmiAccount instead, allowing more time.