Visas & ETAs
Travellers to Australia need a valid passport or similar certificate of identification. Everyone, except travellers with Australian or New Zealand passports, requires a visa or an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) to enter Australia. New Zealand passport holders apply for a visa upon arrival in Australia. All other passport holders must hold a visa or ETA before travelling to Australia.

Australian Visas Ltd.
The Australian Government has introduced an electronic visa system where Electronic Travel Authorities (ETA's) can be issued for short stay tourist and short stay business visitors to Australia so visa stamps or labels are no longer required in your passport.

You can apply for your INSTANT on-line ETA at www.australianvisas.net

This service is convenient, easy to use, and secure with access 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

An ETA is equivalent to a visa, but there is no stamp or label in your passport and there is no need for you to visit an Australian diplomatic office to submit an application. If you are eligible, the ETA is issued electronically by a computer system operated for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) of Australia.

Visit the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs' website for further information on tourist visas, working holidays, business visits, students, immigration, Electronic Travel Authority (ETAs), visas and other useful contacts.

For the location of your nearest Australian consulate go to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's website.

Tax Free/Duty Free
Each traveller over 18 years of age can bring into Australia 1125ml of alcoholic liquor and 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco products duty/tax free. For other goods, including those intended as gifts, a duty/tax-free allowance of $A400 per person or $A200 per person under 18 is available. These articles must accompany you through Customs and must not be intended for commercial purposes.

Cash & foreign currency
If you bring in or take out of Australia more than $A10,000 cash or the equivalent in foreign currency (travellers cheques excluded), you must declare it to Customs. Failure to do is an offence.

Medications
Medicinal products brought into Australia are subject to strict controls and should be declared on arrival. It is advisable to have a letter or prescription from your doctor describing your medical condition and the medication.

Luggage inspection
Luggage and hand baggage may be inspected before passengers board domestic and international flights. Also upon arrival into Australia all luggage may be inspected. You need to declare all items of a quarantine concern, otherwise you may be fined or prosecuted. For further information please see Department of Immigration & Multicultural Affairs website - www.affa.gov.au

Passenger Movement Charge
Australia's Passenger Movement Charge (departure tax) is $A38 per person and is pre-paid with your international airline ticket. Exemptions apply to children under 12 years and 24 hour transit passengers. There may be other government, airport and sea taxes and levies applicable which are usually included in your ticket.

Customs & Quarantine
There are strict laws prohibiting or restricting the entry of drugs, steroids, weapons, firearms, protected wildlife and associated products. If you are unsure about anything declare it to Customs upon arrival.

Australia has strict quarantine regulations. Australia is free from many pests and diseases found elsewhere in the world. It's vital that you declare any food, plant or animal items upon arrival, including fresh and packaged food, fruit, eggs, meat, vegetables, seeds, animals, wood and plants. You can dispose of these items at bins found in international airports. For further information see the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service - www.aqis.gov.au

Vaccinations
Vaccinations are not required unless you have come from, or visited a yellow fever infected country or zone within six days before arrival. No other health certificate is required to enter Australia. For further information see the World Health Organisation website - www.who.int

Public holidays in Australia 2004