🇬🇧United Kingdom

🇦🇺AustraliaGB-AU

United Kingdom to Australia visa requirements

Q: What's the difference between eVisitor and ETA?

eVisitor (651) is free and Home Affairs lists United Kingdom - British Citizen as eligible. ETA (601) has similar 3-month-per-entry limits but is lodged through the Australian ETA app and has an AUD 20 service charge. For British Citizen passports, eVisitor is normally the free standard route.

Q: Can I work on an eVisitor?

No. eVisitor is for tourism, family visits, business meetings, and short non-formal training (up to 3 months). For paid work, use the Working Holiday Visa (417) if you're 18-35, or another work visa.

Q: How long can I stay per visit?

Up to 3 months per entry, with multiple entries during the 12-month validity. Each new visit gets a fresh 3-month stay.

Q: What is the Working Holiday Visa (417)?

For UK passport holders aged 18-35, the 417 allows up to 12 months in Australia with the right to work. Doing certain regional work qualifies you for a second and third 12-month extension.

British passports use the free eVisitor (Subclass 651). Apply online before flying. British Citizen ordinary passport holders need a visa before travelling to Australia. The standard tourist/business route is the free eVisitor (Subclass 651), applied for online via ImmiAccount, valid for 12 months from grant, and allowing multiple visits of up to 3 months each for tourism, family visits, cruising, short study/training, or permitted business visitor activities. Home Affairs lists United Kingdom - British Citizen as eVisitor-eligible and excludes BNO, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British Protected Person, and British Subject passports from that stream. ETA (Subclass 601) has similar stay limits but uses the Australian ETA app and has an AUD 20 app service charge; British Citizen travellers normally use the free eVisitor route unless specifically choosing or being directed to another option. For paid work, longer stays, or study as the main purpose, use the appropriate visa such as Visitor 600, Working Holiday 417, student, or work routes.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-19

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.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →United Kingdom (ILR)Living in United Kingdom as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-19

Visa type

eVisitor Subclass 651 (electronic visa, free)

Maximum stay

Up to 3 months per visit

per entry

Entries

Multiple within 12-month validity

from issue date

Visa fee

Free

consular fee only

Processing time

Use Home Affairs processing time guide

standard track

Validity

12 months from issue

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Check eligibility

You must hold a United Kingdom - British Citizen passport, be outside Australia when applying and when the application is decided, and meet health, character, and genuine visitor requirements.

· British Citizen· outside Australia

/02

Create an ImmiAccount

· ImmiAccount sign-up

/03

Complete the application

Provide passport details, contact info, travel plans, and answer eligibility questions. No fee.

· free application

/04

Wait for the decision

Do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until Home Affairs grants the visa in writing. Use the official processing time guide for recent decision times.

· written grant

/05

Travel and clear immigration

The eVisitor is digitally linked to your passport — no label is issued. Bring return or onward travel and accommodation evidence in case asked.

· digital visa

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items

Personalized checklist

United Kingdom -> Australia · eVisitor Subclass 651 (electronic visa, free)

0 / 13 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredUnited Kingdom — British Citizen passport

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Valid passport used for the eVisitor application

RequiredImmiAccount

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

RequiredApproved eVisitor (Subclass 651)

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Linked digitally to passport number

RequiredReturn or onward ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Required at boarding and immigration

RequiredAccommodation evidence

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Hotel booking, Airbnb, or host invitation

ConditionalFunds evidence

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

Bank statements or cards if asked

RecommendedTravel insurance

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Recommended; UK-Australia reciprocal Medicare covers emergency care

RequiredIncoming Passenger Card

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Filled on the plane; declares biosecurity and customs items

RequiredBiosecurity declarations

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Mandatory; food, plants, animal products

ConditionalWorking Holiday 417 (if applicable)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Alternative visa for under-36s who want to work

RequiredOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesDepartment of Home Affairs — eVisitor (Subclass 651), checked 2026-06-19 Department of Home Affairs — Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601), checked 2026-06-19 Australian High Commission in London — Visas and citizenship

Application link included: Department of Home Affairs — eVisitor (Subclass 651), checked 2026-06-19

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

eVisitor (Subclass 651)FreeHome Affairs lists United Kingdom - British Citizen as eligible

Electronic Travel Authority (601)AUD 20 service chargePaid app service fee if using the ETA app; eVisitor is the free standard route for British Citizen passports

Working Holiday Visa (417)AUD 670UK passports aged 18-35, up to 12 months, work permitted

Visitor visa Subclass 600 (Tourist)AUD 200Alternative if eVisitor refused or longer stay needed

Priority Consideration (600)+AUD 1,000Faster processing

Overstay penaltiesDetention + banStrictly enforced under the Migration Act

Total estimateFree — AUD 1,200+incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

eVisitor decision

Use official guide

Home Affairs publishes a processing time guide and warns not to arrange travel until the grant is issued.

Working Holiday 417

Days to weeks

For UK passport holders aged 18-35; first WHV must be applied for outside Australia.

Visitor visa Subclass 600

About 11-29 days (Tourist stream)

Apply via ImmiAccount; for longer stays, family sponsored, business cases.

Priority Consideration

Days

Optional +AUD 1,000; available for some 600 streams.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Character declarations

Past convictions (especially involving violence, drugs, or terrorism) trigger refusal under the Migration Act's character test.

Low

/02

Health concerns

Significant medical conditions (e.g., TB) can lead to health-related refusal under the public-cost test.

Low

/03

Suspected paid work

eVisitor covers unpaid business meetings, training, and conferences — not paid employment. Plans to work get the visa refused or entry blocked.

Medium

/04

Prior overstays / visa breaches

Past Australian overstays or breaches trigger Section 48 bars and eVisitor refusals.

Low

/05

Wrong British passport type

The eVisitor page lists United Kingdom - British Citizen, but excludes BNO, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British Protected Person, and British Subject passports.

Medium

/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

2026-06-19

United Kingdom to Australia route re-verified

Confirmed Home Affairs still lists United Kingdom - British Citizen for free eVisitor 651, 12-month validity and up to 3 months per visit; added checked-date and clarified ETA 601 as a paid app route rather than the standard free UK route.

/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do I need a visa for Australia?—

Yes — but for United Kingdom - British Citizen passports the eVisitor (Subclass 651) is free and electronic. Apply online via ImmiAccount and wait for the written grant before making non-refundable travel plans.

What's the difference between eVisitor and ETA?+

Can I work on an eVisitor?+

How long can I stay per visit?+

What is the Working Holiday Visa (417)?+

Which British passports can use eVisitor?+