Australia entry requirements for UK citizens

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Are you a UK citizen considering a visit to Australia? This page features detailed information on the Australian entry requirements for British nationals you need to meet when travelling to the country.

You can also find out if you need a visa for Australia from the UK, what type of Australian travel permit you require, and details of the application process.

australia entry requirements for uk

What are the entry requirements for Australia for British passport holders?

British citizens travelling to Australia need to comply with the entry rules for Australia.

The basic entry requirements for Brits visiting Australia involve presenting the following documents on arrival:

  • UK passport
  • eVisitor visa

Passengers from the United Kingdom must also fill in a Passenger card before landing in Australia.

Like all travellers, British citizens must meet the health and character requirements to be admitted onto Australian soil.

Which Australia visa do Brits need?

There are different types of Australian visa available. The type British need depends on several factors:

  • The purpose of your trip
  • The length of time you will spend in Australia
  • The type of British passport you hold

British citizens can get an Australia tourist visa online, called the eVisitor visa. This covers holidays, business trips, family visits, cruises, and short-term studies or training.

UK passport holders who wish to stay in Australia longer than 3 months or engage in other activities must apply for the relevant visa type at the High Commission of Australia in London or another embassy or consulate.

For example, working holiday visas are available to British citizens aged 18-30 who wish to work and travel in Australia temporarily.

UK passport requirements for online Australia visas

To get the eVisitor visa online, you must be a British citizen and hold this type of passport.

You count as a British citizen if you are from one of the following regions:

  • England
  • Scotland
  • Wales
  • Northern Ireland
  • The Channel Islands
  • The Isle of Man

Your passport must be issued by the UK, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.

If your passport is one of the following types of British nationality, you cannot apply online and must get your visa at an Australian embassy:

  • British Overseas Territories citizen (BOTC)
  • British Overseas citizen (BOC)
  • British National (Overseas) (BN(O))
  • British subject
  • British protected person

Health requirements for Australia from the UK

British visitors are not required to get specific vaccinations for Australia. However, they must not represent a health risk for the Australian community.

This means that visitors must be free of serious and infectious diseases like tuberculosis. Their health should also not become a burden for the Australian health system.

UK applicants will be asked about their medical history and current state of health during their visa application process.

In some rare cases, you may be required to provide health certificates or undergo medical examinations upon arrival in Australia.

Australian customs requirements for travelling from the UK

Australia has strict biosecurity laws to avoid foreign pests or diseases entering its borders. It also restricts the import of certain goods and quantities of money.

There are several items you must declare on your IPC before you arrive in the country to clear Australian customs.

These include:

  • All food items
  • Wildlife, plants and animals (and derived products)
  • Medicines, drugs and herbal remedies
  • Weapons
  • Agricultural products
  • Cash currency over the value of AUD 10,000

If you have any of these items but don't want to declare them, you can simply put them in the bins at the terminal before passing through customs.

If you have any doubts about what you can and can’t bring into the country, check the complete list of items you must declare on your entry to Australia.

Registering a UK citizen at the British Embassy

British citizens can register with the British Embassy in Australia to receive travel updates and advice during their trip.

Registering with the embassy also logs the visitor’s contact details with authorities.

There are numerous advantages to using this service, including:

  • Up-to-date travel information
  • Easily locate travellers if there is an emergency close to them
  • Quick contact from friends and family in the case of an emergency at home

British citizens travelling to Australia can register for this service when they apply for an online visa for the country.

Travelling to Australia as a UK citizen: FAQ

Can UK citizens enter Australia visa-free? Toggle faqs

No, British citizens must get a visa to be let into Australia. Only New Zealand nationals can enter visa-free — all other foreign citizens are required to obtain a visa. The easiest visa to obtain for UK nationals is the eVisitor online visa.

How can UK citizens apply for an Australian visa? Toggle faqs

British citizens can request an Australian eVisitor visa online through an electronic application. This does not require you to go to an Australian embassy or consulate to file their visa request in person. You receive your approved eVisitor visa for Australia by email.

Can UK citizens get a visa on arrival in Australia? Toggle faqs

No, Australia does not offer this type of visa and UK nationals must be granted a visa before they reach the Australian border. Fortunately, an Australian visa for British citizens can be requested online in minutes.