🇮🇩 Indonesia
Visa on arrival, plus two fees most Australians don't budget for.
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 detailsConnectivity
Compare 8 plansFrom $5.50 Compare eSIMsTravel insurance
Compare 5 policysFrom $20.90 Compare insuranceMoney & payments
Compare 5 cards0.43% – 0.65% conversion fee Compare cardsAirport transfer
DPS → Bali (Denpasar)From $0 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 5 experiencesFrom $45 Explore activitiesIndonesia 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)
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
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.
Watching Indonesia?
We'll email you if the visa, arrival card or entry fee rules change for Australian passport holders travelling to Indonesia.