Australia

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel. 

The authorities in Australia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Australian High Commission in the UK.

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.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

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.