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Passport validity requirements

To enter Australia, your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay.

If you’re travelling through or transiting another country on your way to or from Australia, check the entry requirements for that country. Many countries require at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport, even if you’re just in transit and do not pass through immigration.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

British- Australian dual nationals

If you’re a British-Australian dual national, you must leave and enter Australia on your Australian passport. You could face difficulties and delays if you do not. See Australian government advice for dual nationals.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to visit Australia. 

Applying for a visa

British citizens can usually get the following types of electronic visitor visa:

• eVisitor visa – there is no visa application charge or service fee
• Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) through the iOS app or Android app – there is no visa application charge, but there may be a service fee

The Department of Home Affairs has information on all other types of visas.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Australia, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk. See the Australian Department of Health’s information on yellow fever for travellers.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Australia guide.

Customs requirements

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Australia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Quarantine rules

Australia has strict quarantine rules to keep out pests and diseases that could affect plant, animal or human health.

You must fill in an Incoming Passenger Card and either:

• declare goods considered to be a risk, such as food, animal products and plant material (including wooden articles)
• dispose of goods in bins at the airport or seaport

You must also declare if you have ‘been in contact with farms, farm animals, wilderness areas or freshwater streams/lakes etc in the past 30 days’.

The Australian authorities X-ray luggage. They inspect, treat and, if necessary, confiscate and destroy items of concern. You can get a heavy fine if you break quarantine.

The Department of Agriculture has more information on quarantine rules.

Customs requirements

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Australia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Quarantine rules

Australia has strict quarantine rules to keep out pests and diseases that could affect plant, animal or human health.

You must fill in an Incoming Passenger Card and either:

• declare goods considered to be a risk, such as food, animal products and plant material (including wooden articles)
• dispose of goods in bins at the airport or seaport

You must also declare if you have ‘been in contact with farms, farm animals, wilderness areas or freshwater streams/lakes etc in the past 30 days’.

The Australian authorities X-ray luggage. They inspect, treat and, if necessary, confiscate and destroy items of concern. You can get a heavy fine if you break quarantine.

The Department of Agriculture has more information on quarantine rules.

Emergency services in Australia

Telephone: 000 (ambulance, fire, police)

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding lawyers and funeral directors in Australia
• dealing with a death in Australia
• being arrested in Australia
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Australia on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East

Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. 

Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel: 

• check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through
• check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator
• review your travel insurance policy for coverage
• monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts

Bushfires in Australia

There is a higher risk of bushfires in Australia during the spring and summer seasons, from October to February. For advice, visit the bushfires section on the safety and security page.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

You can reduce the risk of losing your passport by carrying a proof of age card – this could be a driving licence or a student ID. This is accepted ID for many services like opening a bank account or entering licensed premises.

Smoking and e-cigarette laws      

Laws on smoking and e-cigarettes (vapes) differ between states. The Australian government is reviewing laws, so the rules may change. You must have a prescription to buy e-cigarettes containing liquid nicotine. There are strict rules on importing vaping goods.

In all states it is illegal to smoke in enclosed public spaces. Get local advice on any restrictions, and see smoking and tobacco laws in Australia.

Alcohol

Some drinks served in bars in Australia can be stronger than those in the UK. Alcohol and drugs can lead to you being less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment.     

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

The Australian authorities act against anyone who imports or traffics illegal drugs. Prosecution can lead to a lengthy prison sentence and deportation.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex marriages are legally recognised. Australia is generally open-minded about homosexuality, but there are isolated incidents of homophobic crime. Visit Gay Australia is a useful travel planning resource alongside LGBT+ information from the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Mobile phones

The mobile phone network generally works well in cities and large towns, but coverage elsewhere can be very limited or non-existent. If you’re travelling to remote areas, check with your phone provider about coverage. You can use your UK mobile phone in Australia if global roaming has been activated, but making and receiving calls can be expensive. Many visitors prefer to buy an Australian SIM card on arrival.

You can use any Telstra public payphone to make free phone calls to Australian numbers. Free wifi is also available at some payphones around the country.

Working holidays 

If you’re in Australia on a working holiday visa, the Fair Work Ombudsman website has information about:

• your rights as an employee in Australia
• how to report any concerns about unfair or unlawful treatment online – you can also call 131 394

Different tax rules and rates apply to residents and non-residents. Working holidaymakers are usually regarded as non-resident for tax purposes. This means they do not qualify for any tax-free personal allowance on earnings. Get guidance from the Australian Taxation Office.

See information for people working in Australia.