Australia Visa RequirementsFor Austria passport holders
Austrian passport holders can visit Australia using the free eVisitor visa (subclass 651). Apply online before travel; the visa is free and allows stays up to 90 days per visit.
Austria passport holders must apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) online before traveling to Australia.
Apply online at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au for the eVisitor (subclass 651) before departure. The application is free of charge. You will need a valid Austrian passport, an email address, and a credit or debit card (though there is no fee). Approval is usually granted within minutes to hours by email. The eVisitor is linked electronically to your passport; no physical visa is placed in your passport. It is valid for 12 months from grant date, covering multiple visits up to 90 days each.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
For Your Visa Application
Valid Austrian Passport
Must be valid for the duration of your stay. The eVisitor is linked electronically to your passport number.
eVisitor Visa (Subclass 651) Approval
Apply free of charge at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before departure. No fee applies. Approval is sent by email and linked electronically to your passport.
Email Address
Required for eVisitor application to receive the approval email.
Required at Entry
Return or Onward Ticket
Proof of departure from Australia; may be checked at check-in or by immigration.
Sufficient Funds Recommended
Evidence of funds for your stay (AUD 5,000 or access to funds via card is typically adequate).
Current Travel Situation
Austria to Australia: What You Need to Know
Australia is one of the most desirable long-haul destinations for Austrian travelers. The continent offers extraordinary natural diversity: the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru (Ayers Rock), the Daintree Rainforest, the Kimberley, the Snowy Mountains, and world-class cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. Austria and Australia share strong cultural ties through migration; a significant Austrian-Australian community exists, particularly in Victoria and South Australia. The eVisitor (subclass 651) is available specifically to EU passport holders and is entirely free.
How to Get There
From Vienna (VIE), fly to Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), or Brisbane (BNE) with connections via Dubai with Emirates (very popular), Singapore with Singapore Airlines, Doha with Qatar Airways, or Bangkok. Total travel time is 22-25 hours. Emirates via Dubai is often the most convenient.
Money & Banking
Australia uses the Australian Dollar (AUD). Cards are universally accepted; contactless is the norm. Cash is rarely needed. Australia is expensive, slightly below Austria for accommodation but comparable overall. Tipping is not mandatory and not expected in Australia; service charges are not added to bills.
Practical Tips
Australia is vast; internal flights are essential. Sydney and Melbourne are the most popular first stops; from the east coast, the Great Barrier Reef (Cairns) and Uluru (fly to Uluru Airport) are the iconic natural highlights. Drive on the left. Tap water is safe to drink. Australia has strict biosecurity laws: declare all food, plant material, and animal products at customs. The sun is extremely intense; use SPF 50 and cover up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Austrians need a visa for Australia?
Austrian passport holders need an eVisitor visa (subclass 651) before traveling to Australia. It is free of charge, applied for online at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, and is usually approved within minutes. It is not a full visa but a digital travel permission linked to your passport.
How long does the eVisitor take to process?
Most eVisitor applications for Austrian passport holders are approved within minutes to a few hours. In some cases, additional document review is needed and processing can take several business days. Apply well before your departure date.
Can I work in Australia on an eVisitor visa?
No. The eVisitor (subclass 651) is for tourism, short business visits, and family visits only. Working in Australia requires a separate work visa (e.g., Working Holiday subclass 417 for Austrians under 30 or 35, or a sponsored work visa).
How long is the flight from Vienna to Australia?
Flights from Vienna to Sydney or Melbourne take approximately 22-25 hours with one stop (typically Dubai with Emirates, Singapore with Singapore Airlines, or Doha with Qatar Airways). There are no nonstop flights from Vienna to Australia.
What should I declare at Australian customs?
Australia has the world's strictest biosecurity laws. Declare all food, plant material, wooden items, seeds, soil, and animal products. Even sealed packaged food must be declared. Failure to declare carries heavy fines. X-ray screening and sniffer dogs are used at all international arrivals.
Is Australia expensive for Austrians?
Australia is comparable to Austria in overall cost of living. Accommodation is slightly cheaper outside of Sydney and Melbourne. Domestic flights are necessary for large distances and add significantly to the budget. Australian wine and fresh produce are excellent and affordable.
What is the best city to start an Australia visit?
Sydney is the most iconic entry point, with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Melbourne is the cultural and culinary capital. For the Great Barrier Reef, fly into Cairns. For Uluru and the Red Centre, fly to Uluru-Connellan Airport directly from Sydney or Adelaide.