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🇦🇺AUSTRALIA
🇳🇿NEW ZEALANDAU-NZ

Do Australia passport holders need a visa to visit New Zealand?

Trans-Tasman: Australian citizens enter NZ with no visa, no NZeTA, no IVL. Permanent residents do need NZeTA. Australian citizens travel to New Zealand under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement. They need no visa and no NZeTA, and they are exempt from the NZD 100 International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). On arrival they receive a Resident Visa equivalent that lets them live, work, and study indefinitely. Australian permanent residents who are not Australian citizens are treated differently — they must obtain an NZeTA (NZD 17-23) and pay the IVL before flying, and stay limits apply.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE 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
Trans-Tasman free entry (citizens) / NZeTA (permanent residents)
Maximum stay
Indefinite for citizens; 3 months per visit for PR holders
per entry
Entries
Multiple
from issue date
Visa fee
Free for citizens; NZD 17-23 NZeTA + NZD 100 IVL for PR
consular fee only
Processing time
On arrival
standard track
Validity
Per entry; NZeTA valid 2 years
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm passport status
Australian citizens travel on their Australian passport. New Zealand only requires it to be valid for the duration of stay. Australian permanent residents on a non-AU passport must follow NZeTA rules.
· valid for stay
/02
Skip NZeTA (citizens only)
Holding an Australian passport means no NZeTA application. Permanent residents must apply for NZeTA at least 72 hours before departure.
· citizens skip NZeTA
/03
Pay IVL only if required
IVL is NZD 100 but Australian and New Zealand passport holders are exempt. PR-only travellers pay it together with the NZeTA application.
· AU passport IVL-exempt
/04
Complete the NZ Traveller Declaration
Online or paper biosecurity / customs declaration. Submit up to 24 hours before arrival via the NZTD app.
· NZTD app
/05
Arrive and pass biosecurity
AKL, WLG, CHC are the main entry airports. Australians use the eGate with their ePassport; expect strict biosecurity checks on food, plants, and outdoor gear.
· eGate· biosecurity
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
Australian passport (citizens)
Valid for the duration of stay
Outward ticket
Usually not enforced for AU citizens, but useful
Accommodation address
Required on the NZTD
Biosecurity declaration
Mandatory — declare food, plant material, used outdoor gear
Travel insurance
Recommended; NZ healthcare not free for AU visitors
Health insurance for medical care
Reciprocal health agreement covers emergencies only
NZeTA (PR holders only)
NZD 17 mobile app / NZD 23 web; 2-year validity
IVL (PR holders only)
NZD 100; AU citizens exempt
Pet import permit (if applicable)
MPI permit required even for cats and dogs
Currency declaration
If carrying NZD 10,000+ in cash
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Trans-Tasman entry (citizens)FreeNo visa, no NZeTA, no IVL
NZeTA (permanent residents)NZD 17 / 23App is cheaper than web; valid 2 years
IVL (permanent residents)NZD 100AU citizens exempt
NZ Traveller DeclarationFreeMandatory health/customs form
Pet relocationVariesMPI permit + quarantine for cats and dogs
Total estimateFree — NZD 123incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Trans-Tasman arrival
Minutes
Standard arrival via eGate using Australian ePassport.
NZeTA approval (PR only)
Up to 72 hours
Apply at least 3 days before departure; most decisions in minutes.
Health emergency claim
Same-day
Reciprocal health agreement covers urgent care; not insurance for elective treatment.
Resident Visa (if relocating)
Months
AU citizens can apply for the streamlined NZ Resident Visa pathway via Immigration NZ.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Character grounds
Australian citizens can be refused entry to NZ for criminal convictions, prior deportations, or threats to security. Disclose any history honestly.
Low
/02
Biosecurity violation
NZ enforces biosecurity strictly — undeclared food, plants, soil on hiking boots, or wooden items can result in NZD 400 instant fines or refusal.
Medium
/03
Permanent residents without NZeTA
AU permanent residents (non-citizens) flying on a non-AU passport without NZeTA are denied boarding.
Medium
/04
Health concerns
Active tuberculosis or other serious health issues can prevent entry, even under Trans-Tasman.
Low
/05
Behaviour concern non-citizen status
Past criminal convictions totalling 12+ months prison can disqualify Trans-Tasman entry.
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 New Zealand route verified
Confirmed Trans-Tasman free entry for citizens, NZeTA + IVL for permanent residents only.
2024-10-01 · major
IVL raised to NZD 100
NZ tripled the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy from NZD 35 to NZD 100. Australian citizens remained exempt.
2023-07-01
Streamlined Resident Visa for AU citizens
NZ began offering a streamlined Resident Visa to long-staying Australians, mirroring the pathway available to NZ citizens in Australia.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Australians need an NZeTA?—
No. Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport do not need an NZeTA. Australian permanent residents travelling on a non-AU passport do need one.
Do I have to pay the IVL?+
How long can I stay in New Zealand?+
Can I work in NZ as an Australian?+
Do my Australian permanent residents children get the same?+
What is the NZTD?+
/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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