🇮🇩 Indonesia
Visa on arrival, plus two fees most Australians don't budget for.
Yes - Australians need a visa for Indonesia.
Pack a Type C/F adapter for the 230V supply, one Australian dollar buys about 12500 IDR, and All Indonesia Customs Declaration (e-CD) is compulsory before you fly.
Entry rules last checked 24 October 2026.
Bali is Australia's second-biggest overseas destination and the trip most likely to go wrong at the border. Australians need a paid visa on arrival, a customs declaration, and - if you're heading to Bali specifically - a separate tourist levy. None of them are expensive, all of them are easier done before you fly.
Your Indonesia trip setup
21 things Australians need to sort. Tick them off as you go.
Entry requirements
Visa on arrival required (paid)Up to 30 days View detailsFlights
Compare 3 searchs Search flightsConnectivity
Compare 10 plansFrom $5.50 Compare eSIMsTravel insurance
Compare 7 policysFrom $20.90 Compare insuranceMoney & payments
Compare 5 cards0.43%-0.65% conversion fee Compare cardsAirport transfer
DPS → Bali (Denpasar)From $12 Compare optionsDriving
IDP requiredDrives on the left Compare car hireTravel essentials
Adapter type C/FTap water: not safe to drink View guideThings to do
Compare 6 experiencesFrom $45 Explore activitiesPlan your days in Indonesia
A day-by-day itinerary built from things you can book now, with the travel between cities worked out. Pick the kind of trip you want.
Wellness
Rest, move, and come home better than you left Indonesia wellness itinerarySightseeing
Landscapes, landmarks and the views worth the detour Indonesia sightseeing itineraryFood and drink
Eat where the queue is locals, not tourists Indonesia food itineraryHighlights
The best of everything, if you have not decided yet Indonesia highlights itineraryIndonesia at a glance for Australians
Best time to visit
April-October (dry season)
July and August are peak. The wet season (November-March) still has plenty of sunny days and much lower prices.
6h 15m from Sydney (direct)
Busiest month for Australian travellers: July, quietest February. Indonesia travel statistics
Health & safety
Smartraveller: Exercise a high degree of caution
No reciprocal agreement. Medical evacuation from Bali to Darwin or Perth costs AUD $40,000-$100,000 and is the main reason to hold insurance.
Emergency: 112
Money
Hotels, larger restaurants and chain stores take cards. Warungs, markets, temples and drivers are cash.
Everywhere in tourist areas. Use ATMs attached to bank branches - skimming from freestanding street ATMs is a known problem. Fees are typically IDR 25,000-50,000.
Tipping: Not traditionally expected but increasingly common in tourism. Many restaurants add a 5-10% service charge plus 10-11% government tax. Rp 20,000-50,000 is a generous tip for a driver or guide.
Language & culture
Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia)
English: Widely spoken in tourist areas of Bali, limited elsewhere
Capital: Jakarta
Australian dollar to Indonesian rupiah
Rp12500 IDR per AUD
Last recorded rate
These are mid-market rates - the rate banks trade at, published by the European Central Bank. It is not what you will be offered. Expect a card or exchange service to take 0.5% to 5% off it, which is exactly what our travel money comparison is for. Past movement doesn't predict future rates, and none of this is financial advice.
View the numbers as a table
Where Australians go in Indonesia
Denpasar (Bali)
Ubud
Canggu
Jakarta
Lombok
Indonesia FAQs for Australian travellers
Do Australians need a visa for Bali?
Yes. Australians need a visa on arrival for Indonesia, costing IDR 500,000 (about AUD $50) for 30 days. You can buy it at Denpasar airport or apply online for an e-VOA beforehand, which lets you use the faster electronic gates.
What is the Bali tourist levy and do I have to pay it?
Yes, if you're entering Bali. It's a one-off IDR 150,000 (about AUD $15) levy per visitor, separate from your visa. Pay it online at the official Love Bali site before you fly and keep the QR code - spot checks happen at the airport and at major attractions.
How long does my passport need to be valid for Indonesia?
At least six months from your date of arrival. This is strictly enforced and is the most common reason Australians are refused boarding at their departure airport.
Can I ride a scooter in Bali on my Australian licence?
Only if your Australian licence includes a motorcycle class and you carry a 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit obtained in Australia. Without both, you're riding illegally and your travel insurance won't cover a crash - the most common cause of large uninsured medical bills for Australians in Bali.
What power adapter do I need for Bali?
A Type C adapter - the two round pins used across Europe and Indonesia. The voltage is 230V, the same as Australia, so you don't need a voltage converter.
Can you drink the tap water in Bali?
No. Stick to bottled or filtered water, including for brushing your teeth outside good hotels, and be careful with ice at small warungs.
Planning Indonesia?
We will send you the Indonesia guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.