Australia Travel Entry Requirements: The Detailed Guide, Documents & Important Notes

Is it easy or difficult to enter Australia as a tourist, what documents do I need to enter Australia? Join Klook to update the latest Australia tourist entry requirements (Australia travel entry requirements, Australia visitor entry requirements): Procedures, checklist guide, experience sharing and important notes below!

With majestic natural landscapes, beautiful beaches and diverse culture, Australia is always a dream destination for many tourists. However, the immigration procedures and visa regulations of this country can be worrying, especially for those who come to the “land of kangaroos” for the first time.

To have a smooth journey, you need to clearly understand important information about visa regulations, necessary documents and luggage. Prepare carefully to avoid trouble, making your trip to explore Australia complete and memorable.

Australia Travel Entry Requirements: The Immigration Regulations You Need to Know

When planning a trip to Australia, you need to clearly understand the immigration regulations to ensure a smooth trip. Here are the latest entry requirements for Australia:

Visa Requirements

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Australian & New Zealand passport holders: If you have an Australian passport, you do not need a visa. For New Zealand passport holders, you can travel to Australia without a visa in advance and will be granted a visa at the airport.

Other cases: All other passport holders must have a valid visa before arriving in Australia. This visa must be prepared before your trip, even if you are only transiting in Australia.

You need to choose the right visa type for the purpose and duration of your trip. Having a visa does not mean you are allowed to work or study. Make sure you apply for the right visa and meet its conditions.

Health & Police Requirements

To be granted an Australian visa, you need to meet strict health and character criteria, which apply to both temporary and permanent visas.

• Health: You must not have any medical conditions that pose a threat to public health or pose a significant burden on Australian society in terms of health costs.
• Criminal record: The Australian Government will not grant a visa if you have a criminal record or are assessed as being at risk of committing an offence, causing a nuisance or endangering the Australian community.

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Note:

• If you have a criminal record, you will need to provide a criminal record.
• If you are a New Zealand citizen with a criminal record, you should check whether you need a visa in advance through the Australian Government’s online system.

Visa Violations

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If you have overstayed your visa in Australia, you may be barred from re-entering for a period of time. You can apply for a waiver by submitting a compelling and compassionate reason for reconsideration.

Detailed Guide to Australian Entry Procedures

Here, Klook will share detailed experiences to help you easily complete Australian immigration procedures, from preparing entry documents, how to fill out the declaration to the list of prohibited items.

Australia Travel Entry Requirements: Personal Documents

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• Identification documents and Visa: You need to present a valid passport. Your Australian visa is electronically linked to your passport, so just make sure you bring the passport you used to apply for the visa. If you have changed your passport, bring your old passport that is linked to your visa.
• SmartGate system: At the passport control gate, you can use the SmartGate automatic system. Facial recognition technology and electronic passports will help you complete the procedure quickly.
• Immigration Declaration Card (IPC): You will be given this card on the flight and need to fill in all the information to present at the control counter.
• Cash Declaration: You are allowed to carry unlimited cash, but if the amount is AUD 10,000 or more (or equivalent foreign currency), you must declare it.
• Baggage Inspection: All your luggage will be inspected to ensure that you are not carrying prohibited or restricted items according to Australian regulations.

Hotel Booking Confirmation

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Having a hotel booking confirmation is not a mandatory requirement to enter Australia. However, you will be asked about your stay plans at the airport to ensure you have a clear accommodation and schedule.

To ensure a smooth trip, Klook recommends that you proactively book at least one night’s stay in advance. Most importantly, you should only book air tickets and other non-refundable services after your visa has been approved to avoid unnecessary risks!

Return Air Tickets

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A return air ticket is not a mandatory requirement to enter Australia. However, immigration officers have the right to question your intentions and financial capacity to ensure that you will leave Australia before your visa expires. Therefore, having a return ticket or a ticket to another country will be very convincing evidence to prove that you do not intend to overstay.

To ensure a smooth entry journey, Klook recommends that you prepare all documents to prove that you have enough finances for the trip and have a plane ticket out of Australia.

Australian Travel Insurance

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Travel insurance is not mandatory when entering Australia, however, it is highly recommended by the Australian government, Smartraveller and Bupa. Medical costs in Australia are very high. Purchasing travel insurance will help you pay for major expenses such as medical emergencies, emergency evacuation (up to AU$100,000), trip cancellation, lost luggage and other unexpected incidents. This will give you more financial peace of mind and a safe and complete trip.

Note:

• Regularly check the latest information and entry requirements from the official Australian government website or contact the nearest Australian embassy before departure, as regulations can change at any time.
• Make sure all documents are neatly organized and easily accessible when needed at immigration checkpoints.

Instructions for Completing the Australian IPC Arrival Declaration

According to Australian law, all passengers arriving in Australia must self-declare their personal information and provide mandatory information by completing an Arrival Declaration.

What is an Arrival Declaration Card?

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This is a document used to confirm a person’s identity and record their entry into Australia. The declaration will be provided to passengers on board the plane or at the Australian Border Force counter at the arrivals terminal.

This declaration also serves as:

• A health and character declaration for non-Australian citizens.
• A visa application form for certain circumstances.

Almost all passengers must complete and present the declaration when entering Australia. A small number of people are exempt from completing the declaration by law. If they refuse to complete it, Australian citizens may be fined, while non-Australian citizens may be fined and refused entry.

Instructions for Completing the Arrival Declaration

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The IPC declaration must be completed in English. If you need assistance, you can refer to the declaration templates, which are translated into many different languages, on the Australian government website. When completing the declaration, you need to ensure you provide accurate information on both sides of the declaration as follows:

Front:

• Full name and passport number.
• Flight or ship number.
• Address of your intended Australian residence.
• Quarantine and customs declaration.

Back:

• Country you boarded the plane/ship.
• Date of birth, occupation.
• Passport nationality.
• Australian contact details and emergency contact details.

You need to sign and date the declaration, and answer accurately the questions relating to immigration status, health and criminal history (if any). For non-Australian citizens, providing false information may affect your visa status.

Completing a Declaration on behalf of someone else

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You can complete a declaration on behalf of another passenger if you are responsible for that person. This includes parents/guardians of minors and carers of people with special needs.

Guide to Entering Australia: Items to Declare

When entering Australia, you must strictly comply with biosecurity regulations. This is one of the countries with the strictest quarantine policies in the world. Australian customs officers often check luggage very carefully, even using sniffer dogs. So, to have a smooth journey, remember the golden rule: If in doubt, declare!

Below is a list of items and belongings you must declare when entering Australia. Declaring does not mean your items will be confiscated, but rather for customs officers to inspect and make appropriate decisions.

Agricultural & Biological Products

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• Food: All food, including snacks, dried goods, fresh produce, and pet food. Examples: Meat (fresh, dried, sausages, jerky), milk, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts (including roasted nuts), herbal teas, herbs, and traditional medicines.
• Animal & Plant Products: Jewelry made from seeds or bark, wood crafts, items made from leather, fur, or animal bones.
• Soil and Minerals: All types of soil, sand, or items containing soil.

Cash & Medicines

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• Cash: You are allowed to carry unlimited cash, but if the total amount is 10,000 AUD or more (or equivalent foreign currency), you must declare it.
• Medications: Prescription drugs, drugs containing narcotics, or high-dose drugs must be declared and must be prescribed by a doctor.

Don’t Be Shy, Just Declare!

Some foods, plants, or animal products from overseas can carry pathogens that can seriously harm Australia’s ecosystems, agriculture, and tourism. Therefore, the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is responsible for protecting the country from biosecurity risks.

For foods, plants, or animal products, you must declare them when entering Australia. Once declared, these items will be taken to a checkpoint for assessment by biosecurity officers. If you are unsure, it is best to dispose of them in the designated bins at the terminal before checking in.

If you do not declare, your luggage may still be subject to X-ray or dog inspection. Providing false information, failing to answer questions truthfully about the goods or failing to comply with the instructions of a biosecurity officer can result in severe penalties.

• Fines.
• Civil and/or criminal prosecution.
• Visa cancellation and refusal to enter Australia.

Important note: You will not be penalized under the Biosecurity Act 2015 if you declare all items, even if they are not permitted into Australia. Being honest is the best way to ensure your journey goes smoothly.

In addition to the necessary documents, what else do you need to prepare when entering Australia?

To have a complete and smooth journey to explore the “land of kangaroos”, in addition to preparing the necessary documents, you should be aware of important notes about finances, means of transport and other useful tips. Here are some detailed Klook guides just for you!

Currency in Australia

In Australia, you will use the Australian Dollar (AUD). The exchange rate can change constantly, but usually fluctuates around 1 AUD ≈ 15,500 – 16,500 VND.

• Cash: You should exchange some cash in Vietnam for convenient spending upon arrival. According to regulations, you can bring up to 10,000 AUD when entering Australia without having to declare. However, note that Vietnam’s regulations only allow you to bring up to 5,000 USD (or other foreign currency of equivalent value) when leaving the country without having to declare to customs.
• International cards: Most shops, restaurants, and hotels accept payment by international credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex). This is the safest and most convenient payment method.
• Cash: Coins are useful for small transactions such as buying train or bus tickets, or snacks.
• Electronic payments: Make the most of international credit/debit cards or mobile payment apps such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay.

Getting Around in Australia

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With a large area, choosing the right means of transportation will make your journey to explore Australia more convenient and memorable. Whether you want to freely explore by private car or take advantage of the modern public transport system, Klook will suggest the best options for you.

• Self-drive car rental: If you want to actively explore, self-drive car rental is a popular choice. Note that in Australia, you will drive on the left side of the road. Klook offers car rental services in major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne for you to easily book in advance.
• Public transport: The bus, train and tram systems in major cities are very developed and convenient. You can buy an Opal (Sydney), Myki (Melbourne) or Go Card (Brisbane) to use.

Communication in Australia

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To stay in touch and look up information during your trip, you should prepare an eSIM or a portable WiFi device. Klook also has unlimited data eSIM packages and 4G WiFi devices to help you save on communication costs during your journey to explore the “land of kangaroos”.

Services from Klook

To have a complete trip to explore the city, you can refer to the airport transfer service and sightseeing tours on Klook. Airport transfer services help you move quickly after landing, while tours with professional guides will help you visit famous destinations without having to worry about transportation or planning.

Are you familiar with the procedures for entering Australia? Get ready for your Australian adventure today!

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Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Sydney you can refer to

• Shared Sydney Airport Transfers (SYD) for Sydney
• Blue Mountains Day Tour with Parramatta River Cruise from Sydney
• Blue Mountains All-Inclusive Day Tour from Sydney
• Manly and Beyond Half Day Tour
• The Sydney Explorer Pass
• iVenture Sydney Flexi Attractions Pass
• Sydney Attractions Combo Ticket (Bar Code Direct Entry)
• iVenture Sydney Unlimited Attractions Pass
• Sydney Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tours (Open-Top)
• Sydney Hop-On Hop-Off Harbor Cruise and Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Combo
• Sydney Hop On Hop Off Cruise 2 Day Pass by Captain Cook
• Sydney Harbour Highlights Cruise

Are you looking for more top things to do in Sydney: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out at here. And Sydney travel blog — The fullest Sydney travel guide blog for a great trip to Sydney for the first-timers.