Entry requirements by country
Australian passport holders can enter most of the world without a traditional visa, but almost every destination now wants something else first: an electronic travel authorisation, a digital arrival card, or a tourist levy. Nearly all of them are checked at the departure gate in Australia, not on arrival. This table shows what each country actually requires, how long you can stay, and what it costs.
Entry requirements in 36 destinations
| Destination | Entry status | Compare |
|---|---|---|
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | Visa-free for Australian citizens | View |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | Visa-free | View |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | Visa on arrival required (paid) | View |
| 🇺🇸 United States | ESTA required (Visa Waiver Program) | View |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | ETA required | View |
| 🇹🇠Thailand | Visa exemption (visa-free) | View |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | E-visa required | View |
| 🇮🇳 India | E-Visa required | View |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | Visa-free | View |
| 🇫🇯 Fiji | Visa-free on arrival | View |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Visa-free (Schengen Area) | View |
| 🇵🇠Philippines | Visa-free | View |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | Visa-free (K-ETA currently waived) | View |
| 🇨🇳 China | Visa-free (unilateral policy for Australians) | View |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | Visa-free | View |
| 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | Free visa on arrival | View |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | eTA required | View |
| 🇫🇷 France | Visa-free (Schengen Area) | View |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Visa-free (Schengen Area) | View |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | Visa-free (Schengen Area) | View |
| ðŸ‡ðŸ‡° Hong Kong | Visa-free | View |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Visa-free (Schengen Area) | View |
| 🇰🇠Cambodia | E-visa or visa on arrival required | View |
| 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | ETA required (free) | View |
| 🇹🇼 Taiwan | Visa-free | View |
| 🇻🇺 Vanuatu | Visa-free | View |
| 🇹🇷 Türkiye | Visa-free | View |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Visa-free (Schengen Area) | View |
| 🇳🇵 Nepal | Visa on arrival required (paid) | View |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | Visa-free | View |
| ðŸ‡ðŸ‡· Croatia | Visa-free (Schengen Area) | View |
| 🇨🇠Switzerland | Visa-free (Schengen Area) | View |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | Visa-free | View |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | Visa-free (Schengen Area) | View |
| 🇲🇻 Maldives | Free visa on arrival | View |
| 🇱🇦 Laos | Visa on arrival required (paid) | View |
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.
Read this first
Frequently asked questions
Which countries can Australians enter without a visa?
Most of Europe, the UK, the US, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, New Zealand and Fiji all admit Australian passport holders without a traditional visa. Several of them still require an electronic authorisation or an arrival card first, which the table above flags per country.
What is the difference between a visa and a travel authorisation?
A visa is issued by a consulate or an immigration department and is usually pasted or stamped into your passport. An authorisation like the US ESTA, UK ETA or EU ETIAS is an online pre-screening tied to your passport number. It is quicker and cheaper, but it is still mandatory, and airlines check it before you board.
How much passport validity do Australians need?
Six months beyond your return date is the safe answer, and many countries require exactly that. A handful only ask for validity covering your stay. The per-country pages list the real rule and link the official source.
What is actually worth booking.
New destination guides and side-by-side comparisons for Australian travellers - which eSIM, which travel card, which insurance is worth paying for, and what to sort before you go. Prices in Australian dollars, a few emails a year.