Do Australians need a visa for New Zealand?
Passport, visa, arrival cards and customs rules for Australian passport holders.
Australian citizens do not need a visa or an NZeTA to visit New Zealand. Australian permanent residents who are not citizens do need an NZeTA and must pay the International Visitor Levy.
Entry requirements for New Zealand at a glance
Passport validity
Valid on arrival and departure for Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport
Length of stay
Indefinite - Australian citizens are granted a resident visa on arrival
Onward ticket
Not formally required.
Blank passport pages
1 recommended
New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD)
Digital declaration replacing the old paper arrival card. Covers customs, biosecurity and immigration in one form.
Apply on the official siteWhat it costs
| Fee | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| NZeTA (Australian permanent residents only) | NZD $17 via app / $23 online | Not required for Australian citizens |
| International Visitor Levy (IVL) | NZD $100 | Not payable by Australian citizens |
How to get sorted, step by step
- Check your passport is an Australian passport and valid - Australian citizens travelling on another country's passport need an NZeTA.
- Complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration online or in the app within 24 hours of departure.
- Declare all food, plant and animal products - New Zealand biosecurity fines start at NZD $400 on the spot.
What catches Australians out
Australian permanent residents (not citizens) must hold an NZeTA and pay the IVL before boarding - airlines will deny boarding without it.
Biosecurity is genuinely strict. Undeclared fruit, honey, seeds or hiking boots with soil on them will earn an instant fine.
Bringing a dog or cat requires months of lead time and MPI approval.
Health cover for Australians in New Zealand
Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with New Zealand covering immediately necessary treatment in public hospitals. It does not cover ambulances, medical evacuation, or getting you home - you still need travel insurance.
Vaccinations: No vaccinations required. Routine Australian immunisations are enough.
Medications: Bring prescriptions in original packaging with a letter from your doctor. Most Australian prescriptions are recognised.
Compare travel insurance for New ZealandMore New Zealand essentials
Further reading: Do Australians need a visa? A country-by-country guide
How these comparisons are made
Entry rules on these pages come from the destination's own immigration authority first, Smartraveller second, and the destination's embassy in Australia third - each page links the exact sources it used. An automated job re-reads those government pages every day and moves the review date only when a person or the checker has confirmed the page still says what we say it says. Read the full editorial policy.
New Zealand entry requirements FAQs
Is the New Zealand Traveller Declaration required for Australians?
Yes. Australian passport holders entering New Zealand must complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration. It is free, and you submit it any time in the 24 hours before departure. Digital declaration replacing the old paper arrival card. Covers customs, biosecurity and immigration in one form.
Do Australians need a visa for New Zealand?
No. Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport don't need a visa or an NZeTA - you're granted a resident visa on arrival. Australian permanent residents who hold another country's passport do need an NZeTA and must pay the NZD $100 International Visitor Levy before travelling.
Do I need an NZeTA as an Australian?
Not if you're an Australian citizen with an Australian passport. Every other traveller from Australia - including Australian permanent residents and dual citizens travelling on a non-Australian passport - needs one.
Planning New Zealand?
We will send you the New Zealand 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.