What documents do I need to bring to Australia?
To enter Australia you need a valid passport and a visa - even short tourist visits require an electronic visa such as the ETA or eVisitor.
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Travel documents for Australia
Australia is unusual in that every single visitor, regardless of nationality, needs a visa - even for a one-night layover. Once you have your visa sorted you can book your trip1 hotel and head down under, but make sure these documents are ready before you board:
- A passport valid for the duration of your stay.
- An electronically linked Australian visa (ETA, eVisitor, or Visitor visa).
- Proof of onward or return travel.
- A trip1 hotel booking or other accommodation address.
- Proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
- A completed Incoming Passenger Card, usually filled in on the plane. Australia is replacing it with a digital Australia Travel Declaration, already offered on some Qantas flights.
ETA versus eVisitor versus Visitor visa
The ETA (subclass 601) is for citizens of the US, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and several other countries, and UK citizens and many EU citizens can choose it too. It costs AUD 20 and is applied for through the Australian ETA app.
The eVisitor (subclass 651) is for citizens of EU member states, the UK and a few other European countries. It is free and applied for online through the Department of Home Affairs.
The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is for travelers who cannot use ETA or eVisitor. It is paid, takes longer to process, and may require supporting documents like a financial statement and itinerary.
Biosecurity and customs in Australia
Australia has very strict biosecurity rules. You must declare all food, plant material, wood items, and certain medicines on your Incoming Passenger Card. Failing to declare can result in fines of several thousand AUD.
Hotel check-in in Australia
Australian hotels will ask for your passport and a credit or debit card for incidentals. Your trip1 booking confirmation - whether paid in BTC, ETH, USDC, or any supported crypto - is fully accepted at check-in.
What documents do I need to bring to Australia - FAQ
Yes. US citizens need a visa before they travel, and for tourism or business visits most use the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601), applied for through the Australian ETA app. It lets you visit as often as you like for 12 months, or until your passport expires if sooner, staying up to 3 months each time.
The ETA has no visa application charge, but there is a service charge of AUD 20 to use the Australian ETA app, which is the only way to apply if you hold an eligible passport. The same applies to other ETA-eligible passports, such as Canadian, Japanese and UK British citizen passports.
Apply before you make travel arrangements. The Department of Home Affairs says most applications get a result immediately, but some take longer if the application is incomplete or more information is needed, and it suggests not making travel arrangements until your ETA is granted. You must be outside Australia when you apply.
Citizens of EU countries and some other European states, including UK British citizens, Norway and Switzerland. The eVisitor (subclass 651) is free, is applied for online, and lets you visit as often as you like for 12 months, staying up to 3 months each time. US and Canadian citizens cannot use it and apply for the ETA instead.
Besides your visa or ETA, you complete an Incoming Passenger Card on arrival, declaring food, plant material, wood items and certain medicines. Australia is replacing the paper card with a digital Australia Travel Declaration, which some Qantas passengers can already pre-fill up to 72 hours before arrival. Check the Australian Border Force site before you fly.