Like many travellers, you probably dream of visiting Australia. But of course, this type of trip requires meticulous preparation, particularly with regard to the various administrative and legal requirements. To help you prepare for this trip, we suggest that you discover all of these requirements and the different steps to take before your departure.
Documents required to travel to Australia: List of entry requirements
- To travel to Australia, you need a passport valid for at least 6 months after your date of entry into the country.
- You also need a visa or an electronic residence authorisation to travel to Australia.
- The ETA or eVisitor are quick and easy alternatives to a visa for Australia
- You should complete the formalities for your stay in Australia a few weeks before departure.
Apply for your Australia e-visa!
Passport: An essential travel document for Australia
Of course, if you want to go to Australia, you will first need a valid passport. It is indeed impossible to travel to this country with a simple identity card as this country is not part of the European Union.
If you do not have a passport or if your passport is about to expire, you are strongly advised to apply for one as soon as possible as it can sometimes take a long time to obtain this document.
Remember that your passport must be valid not only at the time of your departure for this country, but also for 6 months after the date of entry into Australia.
To apply for or renew a passport, you must go to a town hall of your choice and bring with you various documents and proof of identity such as an identity document in your name, a copy of your birth certificate, proof of address less than 3 months old and two passport photos that meet the legal standards.
What travel document is required to travel to Australia?
While a passport is an essential document for travelling to Australia, it is not the only official document you need to have with you. Entry into Australia also requires an official residence permit, which can be a visa or an electronic permit such as the eVisitor or eTA.
The latter two solutions are much quicker to obtain and cheaper than the traditional visa, but require that certain strict conditions be met. Here are the eligibility criteria for these different schemes:
- To be part of the countries that are part of the eVisitor or eTA system. Note that the only difference between the eVisitor and the eTA is the nationality. If you are a national of the European Union, the eVisitor system is more suitable.
- Do not stay in the country for more than 3 months. The electronic travel authorisation scheme for Australia also only works for stays of less than 90 consecutive days in the country.
- Visit Australia for tourism or business. You will not be able to use this procedure if you plan to work or study in Australia.
If you do not meet these three criteria, you should apply for a visa at the Australian embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
Apply for your Australia e-visa!
How do I get an eVisitor or eTA to prepare for travel to Australia?
If you have the option of using the eVisitor or eTA scheme to go to Australia, the process is fairly simple and quick, requiring only a few steps and a few minutes:
- Start by visiting the website of a provider offering an online eVisitor or eTA application service such as the one we recommend on our website.
- You will be taken to an online form which you will need to fill in, making sure that you answer all the questions honestly and accurately. You will be asked to fill in your personal details, your passport number, and to answer a series of simple questions about your health, your legal situation or previous travels.
- Once the form has been filled in, check it carefully to avoid making a mistake and proceed to pay the processing and transfer fees for your application. This payment can be made by credit card or Paypal on a secure server.
- Your application will then be checked and forwarded to the Australian immigration authorities who will either approve or reject it.
- On your side, you will not have anything more to do since the answer to your request will be sent to you directly by email on the address indicated in the form and this, at most 72 hours after your request.
Once you have obtained your eVisitor or eTA, you will not need to print it as it will be electronically attached to your passport. The passport is therefore the only document you will need to take with you on your trip to Australia.
- It should also be noted that the eVisitor or eTA will be valid for one year from the date of issue and can be used for multiple visits to Australia during this period provided that the above conditions and criteria are met.
Some additional tips to know before you go to Australia:
Obtaining an eVisitor or eTA for Australia is not the only thing to consider when planning your trip to Australia. Here are some additional tips to help you make the most of your trip.
In particular, you should be aware of Australia's various customs requirements, which are quite strict due to wildlife preservation standards. Of course, it is strictly forbidden to bring drugs or prohibited products into the country and the penalties imposed by Australia in this respect are often very severe.
You will also be given a passenger card on the flight to Australia and you should take care to fill it in carefully and avoid making any mistakes as this can be grounds for refusal of entry into Australia. Of course, do not attempt to hide goods from customs officials either.
If you are ill and taking medical treatment, check beforehand that the treatment you are taking is authorised in the country and legal.
Finally, be sure to follow the basic safety rules for any trip abroad when boarding. In particular, never agree to carry goods for another traveller or take counterfeit goods. Misrepresentation when applying for an eVisitor or eTA online will also result in a ban on travelling to the country for several years.
Apply for your Australia e-visa!
Adeline HARMANT
As a web writer and globetrotter with a passion for travel and tourism, I have acquired in-depth knowledge of the procedures that are essential for travellers. I help travellers to complete all the formalities required for a successful trip, particularly when it comes to obtaining a visa online. With several years' experience in this field, I'd like to offer you some valuable advice to help you discover the world with complete peace of mind.