Do UK citizens need a visa for Australia?
You need a visa before you travel to Australia. Holders of a British citizen passport can apply for a free eVisitor (subclass 651): up to 3 months on each visit, with multiple entries, for 12 months from the date it is granted.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa needed? | Yes. The usual choice for a British citizen passport is the free eVisitor (subclass 651). An ETA (subclass 601) is a separate app route. |
| Maximum stay | Up to 3 months after each entry. You cannot extend an eVisitor. A longer stay needs a different visa. |
| Cost | eVisitor: free. There is no visa application charge. ETA (subclass 601): no visa application charge, but the Department of Home Affairs says the Australian ETA app charges an application service fee of AUD 20. |
| How to apply | eVisitor: online through the Department of Home Affairs. You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the decision is made. Do not book non-refundable travel until you have the grant in writing. |
| Passport validity | GOV.UK says your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay. The visa is linked to the passport digitally. There is no visa label. |
| Other documents | Each person needs their own application, including children on your passport. Home Affairs recommends health insurance. You pay your own healthcare costs in Australia unless a reciprocal agreement applies. |
| Official link | Use the authority’s own website. Entry Visa Guide does not take applications. · Department of Home Affairs: eVisitor (subclass 651) (opens in a new tab) |
Apply only on the government website linked above. This site does not issue the authorisation and does not take the application. Other websites charge their own service fee on top of any government charge.
How to apply
- Use the free eVisitor if you hold a British citizen passport. Home Affairs says you cannot use an eVisitor with a British National (Overseas), British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British Protected Person, or British Subject passport.
- Apply from outside Australia on the Home Affairs eVisitor page (opens in a new tab). Wait for the written grant before you travel.
- If you use the ETA app instead, Home Affairs says there is no visa application charge and an AUD 20 service fee for the app. British citizen and British National (Overseas) passports are on the ETA passport list.
- Stay no more than 3 months after each entry. Paid work for an Australian employer is not allowed on an eVisitor. Home Affairs says the visa can be cancelled if you work.
eVisitor and ETA
GOV.UK says British citizens can usually use either the eVisitor, with no visa application charge or service fee, or an ETA through the Australian government app, with no visa application charge but a possible service fee. Home Affairs states that app service fee as AUD 20.
The eVisitor allows tourism and business visitor activities. It is not a work visa. Study on this visa must not be more than 3 months. If you have a criminal conviction, Home Affairs says to apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) instead, because you might be refused entry on an eVisitor.
This site does not lodge the application. Use ImmiAccount on the Home Affairs website.
Recent changes
- Checked against GOV.UK Australia entry requirements and the Department of Home Affairs pages for subclass 651 and subclass 601. The eVisitor page was marked last updated on 8 September 2026. · source (opens in a new tab)
FAQ
Is the eVisitor really free?
Yes. The Department of Home Affairs says the eVisitor is free. The ETA app is a different product and has an AUD 20 service fee.
Can I work in Australia on an eVisitor?
No. Home Affairs says you cannot do paid work for an Australian employer. The visa can be cancelled, and you can be refused entry or removed.
Can I include my family on one application?
No. Home Affairs says each family member, including people listed in your passport, needs a separate application.
How long is the visa valid?
12 months from the date it is granted, with multiple entries, and up to 3 months in Australia after each entry. It cannot be extended.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Australia entry requirements (opens in a new tab)
- Department of Home Affairs: eVisitor (subclass 651) (opens in a new tab)
- Department of Home Affairs: Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) (opens in a new tab)
Last verified: 2026-10-16
Related reading
Independent guide, not legal advice. Entry Visa Guide is an independent information site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or run by any government or public authority. Always check official sources before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Report an error.