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🇦🇺AUSTRALIA
🇬🇧UNITED KINGDOMAU-GB

Do Australia passport holders need a visa to visit United Kingdom?

UK ETA mandatory: £20 from 8 April 2026 (was £16). Visitor stays up to 6 months. Australian ordinary passport holders need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before boarding any flight or ferry to the UK. Australian citizens have been required to hold an ETA since 8 January 2025. From 8 April 2026 the fee rises from £16 to £20 (about AUD 40). The ETA permits multiple entries of up to 6 months for tourism, family visits, business meetings, or short courses, and is valid for 2 years or until the passport expires. Approved ETAs are linked electronically to the passport — no printout needed.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-27
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
Australia (PR)Living in Australia as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-27
Visa type
UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
Maximum stay
Up to 6 months per visit
per entry
Entries
Multiple
from issue date
Visa fee
GBP 20 (from 8 April 2026)
consular fee only
Processing time
Most decisions in minutes; allow 3 working days
standard track
Validity
2 years or until passport expires
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm passport eligibility
You must hold a valid Australian biometric e-Passport. Passports issued since 2005 are biometric.
· ePassport
/02
Apply on GOV.UK or the UK ETA app
Use the official UK ETA app or apply on gov.uk. Provide passport scan, selfie, and answer eligibility questions.
· official channels only
/03
Pay the fee
GBP 20 since 8 April 2026 (was GBP 16, raised from the initial GBP 10 in April 2025). Pay by card. Most decisions arrive within minutes.
· GBP 20
/04
Wait for ETA approval
Most decisions are automatic in minutes. UK Home Office advises allowing up to 3 working days. The ETA is linked to your passport.
· 3 working day buffer
/05
Travel and clear UK Border
Use eGates at LHR, LGW, MAN, etc. for AU ePassport holders. Officer can still question and refuse entry on arrival.
· eGate eligible
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
Australian e-Passport
Valid for the duration of stay
Approved UK ETA
Linked to passport, 2-year validity
Return or onward ticket
Required at boarding and immigration
Accommodation address
Hotel booking or host's address with phone number
Funds evidence
Bank statements or credit cards if asked
Travel insurance
Recommended; NHS treatment may be limited
Reciprocal Health Agreement Card
Australia-UK reciprocal arrangement covers urgent NHS care
Schengen ETIAS (if onward)
Required separately for Schengen connections (Q4 2026 launch)
EES enrolment (separate)
EU Entry/Exit System live since 10 April 2026 — biometrics at first Schengen entry
Customs declaration
Filed online or paper on arrival for restricted goods
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
UK ETAGBP 20Raised from GBP 16 on 8 April 2026
Standard Visitor Visa (if ETA refused)GBP 127Alternative; 6-month single or 2/5/10-year visit visas available
Working Holiday Visa (Youth Mobility)GBP 319Australians aged 18-35 may stay up to 3 years
Sponsored Skilled Worker visaGBP 769+Requires UK sponsor; not for tourism
Healthcare surcharge (if applicable)GBP 1,035/yearOnly for visa holders; ETA visitors not charged
Total estimateGBP 20 — GBP 769+incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

ETA decision
Minutes to 3 working days
Most decisions arrive within minutes; apply at least 72 hours before travel.
Standard Visitor visa
3-8 weeks
Required only if ETA refused or you need longer/specialist visit categories.
Youth Mobility Scheme
3-6 weeks
Annual ballot for Australia (T5 visa). Capped places per year.
ETA renewal
Same as new
Apply when your ETA or passport approaches expiry.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Past UK overstay or removal
Any prior UK overstay, deportation, or breach is grounds for ETA refusal. Apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead.
Medium
/02
Criminal record
Convictions, especially custodial sentences, can lead to refusal. Disclose honestly on the ETA application.
Medium
/03
Suspected work intent
ETA covers tourism, business meetings, and short courses — not paid work. Officers may probe purpose at the border.
Low
/04
Insufficient evidence of return
Long stays without a confirmed return ticket or accommodation can trigger secondary questioning and refusal.
Low
/05
Dual national restrictions
Dual nationals with passports from sanctioned countries may face additional scrutiny.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-27
Australia to United Kingdom route verified
Confirmed UK ETA requirement, GBP 20 fee, 6-month visitor stays.
2026-04-08 · major
UK ETA fee rises to GBP 20
UK Home Office raised the ETA fee from GBP 16 to GBP 20 (a 25% increase) on 8 April 2026.
2025-04-09
UK ETA fee rises to GBP 16
Initial GBP 10 fee was raised to GBP 16 in April 2025.
2025-01-08 · major
UK ETA mandatory for Australians
Australia, Canada, NZ, US, and other non-European visa-exempt nationalities began needing the ETA on 8 January 2025.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Australians need a UK visa?—
Not a traditional visa — but you need an approved UK ETA before boarding any flight or ferry to the UK. ETAs cost GBP 20 since 8 April 2026 and last 2 years.
How long can I stay in the UK?+
How much does the UK ETA cost?+
Can I work in the UK on the ETA?+
Does the UK ETA cover Ireland?+
What if I'm transiting through the UK?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Australia passport

🇦🇺⇄
Compare the Australia passport
Stack it up against another passport→
🇦🇺◐
Australia visa-free map
See where this passport goes visa-free→
🇦🇺▤
Australia passport power
Global rank and destination breakdown→
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