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:
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 |
Related
- Travelling Outside Australia during COVID-19 for Dual Citizens
- Maintaining your Permanent Residency in Australia and COVID-19
- Australia and Singapore Travel Bubble
- Australia and New Zealand Travel Bubble
- United States – Upcoming Immigration Changes in 2022
- Canada – Upcoming Immigration Changes in 2022
Bridging Visa R
Genuine Student (GS)
Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES)
NSW 491 Pathway 1 – Apply directly to NSW
Upcoming Immigration Changes 2024