Do Australians need a Sri Lanka visa?

No visa, but Australians need an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before boarding.

Australians need an Electronic Travel Authorisation for Sri Lanka but no longer pay for it. Since 25 May 2026 the tourist ETA has been free for Australian passport holders and around 40 other nationalities. It permits a 30-day stay with double entry and is applied for online before you fly.

Entry requirements for Sri Lanka at a glance

Passport validity

At least 6 months from your date of arrival

Check if your passport is valid long enough

Length of stay

30 days, double entry

Onward ticket

Immigration expects a return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation.

Blank passport pages

2

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

FreeCost

Before you fly - approval is usually within 24 hoursWhen to apply

Free for Australians since 25 May 2026. Apply only at eta.gov.lk. Private sites still charge USD $50-$100 for the same authorisation that the government now issues at no cost.

Apply on the official site

What it costs

Fee	Amount	Who pays
Tourist ETA	Free	Australian passport holders since 25 May 2026

How to get sorted, step by step

Check your passport has at least six months validity from your arrival date.
Apply for the free ETA at eta.gov.lk before you fly - it is still compulsory even though it no longer costs anything.
Print or save your ETA approval; airlines check it at Australian check-in.
Bring some cash in AUD or USD to change on arrival - Sri Lankan rupees cannot be bought outside the country.

What catches Australians out

The ETA became free for Australians on 25 May 2026 but is still mandatory. Private sites continue to charge USD $50-$100 for it - apply only at eta.gov.lk.

The rupee is a closed currency: you cannot buy it in Australia and cannot take it out. Change money on arrival and spend down before you leave.

Tuk-tuk drivers in Colombo and Galle routinely quote several times the metered fare to tourists. Use a ride-hailing app instead.

The two monsoons hit opposite coasts at opposite times of year - a rainy season in Colombo is peak season in Trincomalee.

Health cover for Australians in Sri Lanka

Australia has no reciprocal health care agreement with Sri Lanka. Private hospitals in Colombo are good; care elsewhere is limited, and evacuation cover matters.

Vaccinations: Hepatitis A and typhoid usually recommended. Japanese encephalitis and rabies for longer or rural stays. See a travel doctor 6-8 weeks ahead.

Medications: Bring your own supply in original packaging with a copy of the script.

Compare travel insurance for Sri Lanka

More Sri Lanka essentials

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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.

Sri Lanka entry requirements FAQs

Is the Electronic Travel Authorisation required for Australians visiting Sri Lanka?

Yes. Australian passport holders entering Sri Lanka must complete the Electronic Travel Authorisation. It is free, and you submit it before you fly - approval is usually within 24 hours. Free for Australians since 25 May 2026. Apply only at eta.gov.lk. Private sites still charge USD $50-$100 for the same authorisation that the government now issues at no cost.

Do Australians need a visa for Sri Lanka?

Not a visa, but you do need an Electronic Travel Authorisation, and it is compulsory. Since 25 May 2026 the tourist ETA has been free for Australian passport holders. It covers a 30-day stay with double entry.

Is the Sri Lanka ETA really free now?

Yes, for Australians and around 40 other nationalities since 25 May 2026. It used to cost roughly USD $50. Private websites still charge that or more for the same authorisation - apply only at the government site, eta.gov.lk.

Can I buy Sri Lankan rupees before I leave Australia?

No. The rupee is a closed currency that cannot be bought outside Sri Lanka or taken out of it. Bring Australian or US dollars to change on arrival, and spend your rupees down before you fly home.