Visa

Non-Australian citizens needs a valid visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter and spend time in Australia. With the exception of New Zealand citizens, all foreign nationals must obtain a visa/ETA before travelling to Australia. (New Zealand citizens are issued with a visa on arrival in Australia.) Visas are available from Australian visa offices, such as Australian embassies, high commissions and consulates. They are also available, in ETA form, from travel agents and airlines in certain countries. With an ETA, you don’t need a stamp in your passport, as they are confirmed electronically on your arrival.

Standard three-month tourist visas, valid for multiple entries over one year, are issued free. Six-month visas incur a fee. If you’re on a three-month visa and want to stay longer, you can extend your visa in Melbourne – contact the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs at 2 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne (ph 131 881). Apply at least a month prior to the expiration of your visa.

Citizens from Britain, the Republic of Ireland, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Korea, Malta, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Hong Kong aged between 18 and 30 and without children can also apply for a 12-month working holiday visa, which allows the holder to work for up to three months with any one employer. Visas must be arranged several months prior to travel to Australia.

Customs

Prior to landing on Australian soil, you will be handed an immigration form to fill out, as well as Customs and Agriculture Declaration forms. Australia has particularly strict quarantine laws – you must declare all goods of animal or plant origin, and you’re not allowed to bring into the country fresh fruit or vegetables. If you’re concerned about bringing any items into Australia, declare them. And if you’ve been snacking on the flight, place any leftovers in the amnesty quarantine bins available in the arrival area or on the way to the luggage collection bay.

Australian customs regulations allow anyone over 18 to import the following goods duty free: AUD$400 worth of goods, not including alcohol or tobacco; 1125ml alcoholic liquor; 250 cigarettes, or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products (other than cigarettes).