Visa Requirements for Australian Citizens

Australian citizens can visit 183 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival in 2025. This includes all of Europe (Schengen zone plus UK), most of the Americas (US, Canada, all of South America), major Asian destinations (Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, China for 15 days), and virtually all of Oceania. Australians also enjoy visa-on-arrival in Indonesia (30 days), Cambodia, and many African nations.

Australian citizens do not need a traditional visa for the United States. Instead, Australians travel under the Visa Waiver Program using ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), which costs just $21 (approximately AUD 32). ESTA is valid for 2 years and allows stays of up to 90 days per visit for tourism or business. Apply online at least 72 hours before travel at the official CBP website.

Australian citizens do not need a visa for the UK. As of 2025, Australians must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) costing £10 (approximately AUD 20). The UK ETA is valid for 2 years and allows multiple visits of up to 6 months each. Apply through the UK ETA app or website before travel. Processing is typically instant to 3 working days.

Australian citizens do not need a visa for the Schengen Area. Australians can visit all 29 Schengen countries visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Starting in 2025, the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will be required, costing €7 (approximately AUD 12) and valid for 3 years. Until ETIAS launches, Australians simply present their passport at immigration.

For the few countries requiring visas, Australians typically need: valid passport with 6+ months validity and 2 blank pages, recent passport-size photographs (specifications vary by country), proof of accommodation and travel itinerary, evidence of sufficient funds (bank statements), travel insurance (required for some destinations), and a completed application form. For eVisas like India, the process is entirely online and takes 1 to 3 days.

The Indian eVisa approval rate for Australian applicants is approximately 97% to 99%, making it one of the most straightforward visas for Australians. The eVisa costs $25 for 30 days or $40 to $80 for longer durations. Apply at least 4 days before travel through the official Indian government portal. Processing takes 1 to 3 business days.

Yes, Australian citizens can obtain a visa on arrival in Indonesia for stays up to 30 days. The VOA costs $35 (approximately AUD 54) and can be extended once for another 30 days. Payment is accepted in USD, Indonesian Rupiah, or by card at major entry points. Alternatively, Australians can apply for an eVOA online before travel to skip queues at immigration.

Due to Australia's strong passport and economic profile, visa rejection rates for Australians are extremely low across all destinations. The few countries requiring traditional visas (Russia, North Korea, Turkmenistan) have specific political or procedural considerations rather than economic ones. Australian applicants occasionally face issues with Iran or Saudi Arabia due to previous travel to Israel, but overall rejection rates remain below 5% for most destinations.

For Australians, visa applications are rarely rejected, but you can ensure smooth processing by: applying well in advance (2 to 4 weeks minimum), ensuring passport validity of 6+ months beyond your travel dates, providing accurate and consistent information across all documents, including proof of return flights or onward travel, showing accommodation bookings for your stay, and for countries with specific requirements (like Russia), using an accredited visa agency to handle the paperwork correctly.