Australia Visa RequirementsFor United Kingdom passport holders
British citizens can visit Australia using the eVisitor (subclass 651), a free electronic authorisation linked to your passport. It allows multiple visits of up to 3 months per trip within a 12-month period and is typically granted within 24 to 72 hours of applying online.
United Kingdom passport holders must apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) online before traveling to Australia.
The eVisitor (subclass 651) is free, fully online, and available only through official Australian government channels. You cannot apply through a travel agent.\n\nSteps to apply:\n1. Visit the official portal at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and create or log in to an ImmiAccount\n2. Complete the online application with your personal details and travel document information\n3. Answer the health and character declarations\n4. Upload a scan of your valid British passport biographical page\n5. Submit the application. There is no application charge and no service fee\n6. Most applications are processed within 24 to 72 hours by email\n7. The visa is electronically linked to your passport. Airlines verify it automatically at check-in\n\nWhat you need:\n- A valid British passport (must remain valid for the full duration of your stay)\n- An email address\n- No payment required\n\nAlternative: ETA (Subclass 601)\nBritish citizens also qualify for the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601), available via the Australian ETA app on iOS and Android. It grants the same 3-month stay, is also free, and is processed within seconds. Avoid third-party services that charge fees for ETA applications; use only the official app.
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 British passport
Passport must be valid for the full duration of your intended stay in Australia. The same passport must be used for travel -- the eVisitor is electronically linked to it.
Passport biographical page scan
Clear digital scan or photo of the main information page of your passport, showing your photo, name, date of birth, and passport number. Required for upload in ImmiAccount.
Email address
A valid email address to receive the eVisitor grant notification. The visa approval is sent by email only -- there is no physical label or sticker.
Health and character declarations
Honest answers to standard health and character questions including medical conditions, criminal history, and any previous Australian visa refusals or deportations.
Required at Entry
Valid British passport (entry)
The same passport used when applying for the eVisitor, with the visa linked electronically. Australian Border Force verifies the visa automatically.
Incoming Passenger Card
Arrival card completed on the flight or at the border, declaring goods, cash over AUD 10,000, and biosecurity items such as food or plant material.
Return or onward ticket Recommended
Evidence of a flight out of Australia. Immigration officers may ask to confirm your visit is temporary.
Proof of sufficient funds Recommended
Evidence of funds to support yourself during your stay. No fixed minimum is prescribed but bank statements or a credit card may be requested.
Current Travel Situation
United Kingdom to Australia: What You Need to Know
The United Kingdom and Australia share deep historical, cultural, and political ties through the Commonwealth and the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. This relationship is reflected in a generous visa arrangement: British citizens qualify for the free eVisitor (subclass 651), with no embassy visit or fees required. The two countries also maintain a Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement, meaning British visitors can access medically necessary treatment through Australia's Medicare system at no cost, covering public hospitals and general practitioners for urgent care. This is not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance, however, as it does not cover ambulance transport, dental treatment, or repatriation.
For those wanting to work as well as travel, the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) is a separate and popular option, available to UK citizens aged 18 to 35. It allows holders to live, work, and travel in Australia for up to 12 months, with the ability to extend for a second or third year by completing specified regional work. It carries an application fee of approximately AUD 635 and must be applied for online through ImmiAccount before travel.
How to Get There
- Working Holiday visa (subclass 417): For UK citizens aged 18-35. Live and work in Australia for up to 12 months, extendable to 2 or 3 years with regional work. Fee approximately AUD 635. Apply online via ImmiAccount before travel
- Student visa (subclass 500): For those enrolled in a registered Australian course. Allows work up to 48 hours per fortnight. Requires enrolment confirmation and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Skilled migration (subclass 189, 190, 491): Points-tested permanent or provisional residency for workers on the skilled occupation list. Requires a skills assessment and expression of interest via SkillSelect
- Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482): Requires an approved Australian employer to sponsor. Up to 4 years depending on stream
- Partner visa (subclass 309/100 or 820/801): For those in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Money & Banking
Australia uses the Australian Dollar (AUD).\n\nUK cards: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted across Australia, including rural areas. Contactless payment is ubiquitous: Australians tap for virtually everything. Contactless limits are high (often AUD 200 or more per tap).\n\nATMs: Available in all cities and towns. UK banks typically charge a foreign transaction fee of 1.5-3%. Australian ATMs may add a local fee of AUD 2-3 per withdrawal at non-major-bank machines. A Wise, Revolut, or Starling card avoids most of these fees.\n\nTipping: Tipping is not expected or obligatory in Australia. Service charges are not added to bills. A tip for excellent service at a restaurant (around 10%) is appreciated but entirely optional. Tipping at cafes or in taxis is uncommon.
Practical Tips
- Driving: Australians drive on the left side of the road, the same as the UK. A UK driving licence is valid for visitors. Distances between cities are enormous: Sydney to Melbourne is around 900 km\n- Electrical plugs: Australia uses Type I plugs (angled flat three-pin). UK plugs do not fit. Bring a universal travel adaptor. Voltage is 230V/50Hz (same as UK), so most UK appliances work with just a plug adaptor\n- Healthcare: The UK-Australia Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement covers essential medical treatment at public hospitals and some GP visits at no cost. Present your UK passport as proof. The agreement does not cover private care, dental, ambulance, or medical evacuation. Travel insurance is strongly recommended\n- Sun safety: Australia's UV index is significantly higher than the UK's, even on overcast days. Use SPF 50+ sunscreen, wear a hat and sunglasses, and avoid prolonged exposure between 10am and 3pm\n- Wildlife hazards: Northern waters have box jellyfish (October to May) and saltwater crocodiles in rivers and some coastal areas. Do not swim in unfamiliar water in northern Australia without checking local warnings
Frequently Asked Questions
Do British citizens need a visa to visit Australia?
Yes, all visitors to Australia -- including British citizens -- must hold a visa or travel authorisation before arrival. However, the process is simple and completely free for UK passport holders. British citizens can apply for the eVisitor visa (subclass 651) online through the Australian Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount portal. There is no charge, no embassy appointment, and no physical visa label. The approval is linked electronically to your passport.
How do I apply for an Australian eVisitor visa?
Apply directly through the Australian Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount portal at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Create a free account, complete the online application, upload a scan of your British passport, and answer the health and character declarations.
The visa is completely free and cannot be applied for through travel agents -- only directly via ImmiAccount. Most applications are processed within 24 to 72 hours, and the approval is sent by email. There is no sticker or physical document. Airlines and Australian Border Force verify the visa electronically when you travel.
How long can British citizens stay in Australia on the eVisitor?
The eVisitor (subclass 651) allows up to 3 months (90 days) per visit within any 12-month period. It is a multiple-entry visa, meaning you can enter and leave Australia more than once.
You cannot extend the 3-month stay under this visa. If you need to stay longer or want to work, a different visa type is required.
Can British citizens work in Australia on the eVisitor visa?
No. The eVisitor is for tourism, visiting family and friends, and short-term business activities only (such as attending meetings or conferences). It does not permit you to work for an Australian employer or earn income in Australia.
If you want to work in Australia, the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) is the main option for British citizens aged 18 to 35. It allows you to work for Australian employers and travel throughout the country for up to 12 months, with the possibility of extending to a second or third year by completing qualifying regional work. Application fee: approximately AUD 635. Apply online through ImmiAccount before you travel.
Are there direct flights from the UK to Australia?
There are no non-stop direct flights from the UK to Australia. All routes involve at least one stop. Common connecting hubs include Dubai (Emirates), Singapore (Singapore Airlines), Abu Dhabi (Etihad), Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia Airlines), and Doha (Qatar Airways).
Flight times are typically 21 to 24 hours total including the layover, depending on the route. Sydney and Melbourne are the most common arrival airports from the UK. Qantas operates flights via Perth from London Heathrow, which reduces total travel time to around 17 hours for western Australia.
What is the best time to visit Australia from the UK?
September to November (Australian spring) and March to May (autumn) are generally the best times to visit Sydney and Melbourne, with mild temperatures and smaller crowds.
June to August (Australian winter) is ideal for the tropical north, including the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, and the Northern Territory (Uluru, Kakadu). It is dry season in these areas.
December to February is summer in the south, with hot weather but also the peak tourist season and school holiday crowds. This is also the cyclone and wet season in northern Australia, making many parts difficult to access.
In general, avoid the Australian summer (December to February) for the tropical north.