Visa Free Countries for Australians

Australians are lucky to have one of the most unrestricted passports in the world. An Australian passport through numerous travel arrangements and visa waiver programs permit travellers to enter specific countries across the world without needing to adhere to general visa requirements that other passport holders may be subject to.

Please note that some of the countries on this list may still be subject to COVID-19 border restrictions. It is important that you conduct your own research prior to travelling internationally to ensure you are aware of all the country-specific requirements.

New Zealand

Australian passport holders are permitted to travel freely without the requirement of a visa to New Zealand. This is due to the 1973 Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangements. This legislation permits the free flow of Australians and New Zealanders between the two countries. It is a reciprocal agreement and therefore allows Australian and New Zealand citizens to enter each country to visit, live and work indefinitely.

For more information about NZ visas, see our New Zealand website here.

Japan

Please note: Japan remains closed to tourists due to remaining COVID-19 border restrictions

To travel to Japan, Australians do not require a visa for short-term stays. Upon arrival in Japan, Australian passport holders will be granted permission to enter. A short-term stay is a stay of up to 90 days for tourism, business, visiting friends or relatives. It should be noted that this does not include activities that provide remuneration i.e. employment.

USA

Australia is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for the United States of America (USA). The VWP enables Australian passport holders among other countries to travel to the USA for tourism or business without obtaining a visa. The VWP permits stays for up to 90 days. To enter the USA under the VWP, Australian passport holders must apply for authorisation through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). To travel to the USA, under the VWP you must:

  • Possess a passport with an integrated chip (e-Passport)
  • Register on-line through ESTA
  • Meet the standard VWP conditions

For more information on tourist visas for the USA, see our page on US Visitor Visas.

Schengen Area

The Schengen Area is a group of 26 countries located in Europe that permit visa-free travel for Australian passport holders. This is permitted for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Therefore, if you leave the Schengen area and return within the same 180-day period, the previous stay will also count towards the 90-day maximum. Although a visa is not required, Australian passport holders must produce the following when arriving in the Schengen area:

  • Australia passport – must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your stay
  • Proof of purpose of travel
  • Evidence of financial means to support yourself
  • Any other documents required by each country you intend to visit

The Schengen area includes the following 26 countries across Europe:

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Other Countries with Visa Waiver Agreements

Country Visa Requirements
Barbados No visa requirements for Australian passport holders

Permitted to stay for a maximum of 6 months

Albania No visa requirements for Australian passport holders

Permitted to stay for up to 90 days in a 6-month period

Kosovo No visa requirements for Australian passport holders

Permitted to stay for up to 90 days in a 6-month period

Armenia No visa requirements for Australian passport holders

Permitted to stay for up to 180 days in a 1-year period

Belarus No visa requirements for Australian passport holders

Permitted to stay for up to 30 days

Bosnia No visa requirements for Australian passport holders

Permitted to stay for up to 90 days

Herzegovina No visa requirements for Australian passport holders

Permitted to stay for up to 90 days

Bulgaria No visa requirements for Australian passport holders

Permitted to stay for up to 90 days

Croatia No visa requirements for Australian passport holders

Permitted to stay for up to 90 days

Cyprus No visa requirements for Australian passport holders

Permitted to stay for up to 90 days

Moldova No visa requirements for Australian passport holders

Permitted to stay for up to 90 days

Montenegro No visa requirements for Australian passport holders

Permitted to stay for up to 90 days

Georgia No visa requirements for Australian passport holders

Permitted to stay for up to 1 year

Iceland No visa requirements for Australian passport holders
Macedonia No visa requirements for Australian passport holders

Permitted to stay for up to 90 days within a 180 day period

Romania No visa requirements for Australian passport holders

Permitted to stay for up to 90 days within a 180 day period

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