Summary
Considering a journey to Australia? Regardless of whether your visit is for a brief escape or an extended working holiday, acquiring a visa is likely necessary.
This document serves as a comprehensive guide to completing your visa application for Australia.
Do I need a visa for Australia?
The majority of individuals traveling to Australia will require a visa. However, the specific visa needed depends on factors such as your nationality, duration of stay, and the purpose of your visit.
Most travelers must apply for either an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or a visitor visa prior to their journey. Notably, holders of New Zealand passports are granted a Special Category visa upon entry.
Ensure your passport is valid throughout your planned stay. Additionally, verify that you possess adequate funds to support yourself during your visit, as proof may be required upon entry based on your visa type.
What type of visa do I need to travel to Australia?
The visa finder provided by the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) can assist you in identifying the visas for which you qualify based on your citizenship, travel purpose, and duration of stay.
The following are the three principal categories of tourist visas:
For visitors from visa-exempt countries: ETA (subclass 601)
Passport holders from visa-exempt nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Singapore, qualify for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). This enables multiple entries into Australia for tourism purposes within a one-year timeframe, with a maximum stay of three months each time.
Linked electronically to your passport, an ETA streamlines your entry into Australia. Applicants must complete their ETA request through the dedicated ETA app before arrival, with most applications processed within one day. Nevertheless, it is advisable to submit the application several days prior to departure to ensure timely processing.
While ETAs carry no fee, a service charge of $20 applies for the application.
If you are already present in Australia and wish to prolong your stay, a Visitor visa application is necessary.
For visitors from European countries: eVisitor visa (subclass 651)
The eVisitor visa is available at no charge for passport holders from most European nations, offering comparable conditions to an ETA—allowing stays of up to three months for tourism within a valid period of 12 months with multiple entries allowed.
Applications for the eVisitor can be made online, typically processed within a day. However, it is prudent to apply well ahead of your planned travel date to account for potential delays. Extensions are not possible; if you intend to stay longer, you will need to seek a Visitor visa.
If you possess a passport that qualifies for both the ETA and the eVisitor visa, the two options are largely equivalent. The distinction lies primarily in the application method: ETAs are applied for through an app accompanied by a $20 fee, while eVisitor applications incur no charge but must be submitted via a registered ImmiAccount through a web browser.
For all other tourists: Visitor visa (subclass 600)
Travelers not qualifying for an ETA or an eVisa, intending to visit Australia for tourism, need to apply for a Visitor visa from outside Australia. This visa can be valid for up to 12 months and may allow for single or multiple entries, with conditions being assessed individually. The cost begins at $190, though additional expenses such as health exams, police clearances, or biometric processing may apply based on your nationality.
Generally, visitor visa applications are processed within a few weeks, but delays can occur during peak seasons. Therefore, applying well in advance of your travel is recommended. Processing times are subject to change and can be tracked on the DoHA website.
You can monitor your application status through your ImmiAccount after submission, and you may need to provide additional information, so it’s essential to check your application regularly for updates to facilitate processing.
How do I extend my visa to Australia?
Depending on your visa type, it might be possible to file for a new visa to prolong your stay. Visitors currently located in Australia who wish to remain as tourists may apply for the onshore Visitor visa (subclass 600).
It is crucial to submit your new visa application prior to the expiration of your current visa. If your application is submitted in a timely manner, you will be granted a complimentary bridging visa while your new application is being processed.
What if I want to work and travel around Australia?
Working holidays are an attractive option for those wishing to finance their travels while immersing themselves in Australian culture.
Australia’s Working Holiday Maker program is available for individuals aged between 18-30 (and up to 35 in some instances) from 40 participating countries worldwide.
Under this program, two types of visas are available: the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) and the Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462), contingent on the passport you possess. Both visas are valid for 12 months and priced at $635, permitting legal employment during your stay in Australia.
Many participants in the working holiday program discover that a year is insufficient. Fortunately, extending your working holiday visa for a second or even third year is possible if you complete “specified work” in a “regional area” for three months (for a second year) or six months (for an additional year).
This specified work, often referred to as “farm work” in backpacker vernacular, encompasses a variety of employment opportunities. A common misconception is that this work necessitates traveling to remote regions to pick fruit. However, there is a diverse array of approved industries available, such as tourism, hospitality, construction, and bushfire recovery. It’s also worth noting that “regional areas” may include larger cities like Darwin and Adelaide, not solely remote locations. Hence, while you might find yourself involved in agriculture in a secluded town, opportunities also exist in urban settings, such as serving patrons at a high-end establishment in Darwin or working at a vineyard in Barossa.
For further insights regarding the working holiday visa program, visit Tourism Australia’s dedicated website.
This article was first published on March 15, 2021, and updated on December 1, 2023.
