Travel to Australia from the UK: Must-know travel advice

Key takeaways:

• If you want to travel to Australia from the UK, you must apply for an eVisitor visa or an ETA, both of which will grant you access for up to 3 months during a 12-month period
• If you want to work/study in Australia or need to stay for longer than 3 months, you’ll need a tourist stream visa, and these come with a $195 application fee
• Australia is very close to becoming a cashless society, and most merchants take debit cards, credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
• There are very few direct flights to Australia from the UK, but most indirect flights stop off at popular destinations in Southeast Asia and the Middle East
• There are some very strict laws governing what can and can’t be brought into Australia

Table of contents
Australia entry requirements and documents from the UK How to apply for a travel visa to Australia from the UK Managing your money in Australia Essential laws and travel rules in Australia Travelling to Australia? Use Wise for low-cost currency conversion and spending FAQ

If you’re looking to follow in the footsteps of those half-million visitors and travel to Australia from the UK, you’ll need to prepare some basic travel documents. In this guide, we’ll show you how to do just that, covering all Australia entry requirements from the UK.

We’ll even give you a hot tip for holiday spending – the Wise debit card. It’s designed for low-cost spending in 150+ countries. It automatically converts your pounds to the local currency at the great mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny, transparent conversion fee*.

Learn more about the Wise debit card 💳

Australia entry requirements and documents from the UK

If you want to travel to Australia from the UK, you’ll need:

• a passport that remains valid for the length of your stay
• an electronic visitor visa such as an ETA, which stands for “Electronic Travel Authority”, or eVisitor visa

You’ll be granted access for up to 3 months during a 12-month period, and can come and go as you please if these limits are not exceeded.

Required and recommended vaccinations for travelling to Australia

A yellow fever certificate is the only Australia vaccination requirement for travel. Usually, it only applies if you’re visiting the country from one deemed high-risk, and that doesn’t include the UK. However, you’ll also need a certificate if you have stayed overnight in one of these countries within six days of visiting Australia.²

If you’re visiting Australia from the UK as part of a trip that includes destinations in South America or Africa, check the list of high-risk countries and get a certificate if it’s included.

Is it safe to travel to Australia?

Time Out magazine voted Australia as the second-safest country for travellers in 2025. You should still take extra precautions when swimming or exploring the wilderness, though:

• See Surf Life Saving for tips on safe swimming in Australia, as well as their guide to dangerous marine life
• The UK government site has a handy page with links to each state’s outdoor safety guides, as well as emergency services and fire safety.

How to apply for a travel visa to Australia from the UK

There are two visitor visas for UK citizens: ETA and eVisitor. Both visas grant access for up to 3 months and you can apply online.

The eVisitor visa (subclass 651) is free, and most applications are processed in one day. You can travel to the country as many times as you want within a 12-month period and can’t stay for more than 3 months at a time.³

Follow these steps to apply for an eVisitor:

1. Register at ImmiAccount
2. Enter and verify an email address before setting a password and answering security questions
3. After logging in, click the “My Applications” tab
4. Choose “New Application”
5. Select “Visitor>eVisitor”
6. Accept the terms and conditions and click “Next”
7. Complete the steps, entering the requested information about your stay and contact details
8. Your application should be processed within 12 hours
9. You’ll receive an email to state whether your application has been successful, and you can check the status in your ImmiAccount

The ETA has the same allowances and requirements, but as everything goes through a dedicated app, it’s usually quicker and easier. There is a service charge of 20 Australian dollars (AUD), though.⁴ Follow these steps to apply for an ETA:

1. Download the “AustralianETA” app on Android or iOS
2. Enable location services on your phone
3. You’ll be asked to take a picture of your face and scan your passport
4. Enter a valid email address
5. Pay the $20 service fee using a card or Google/Apple Pay

If you need to stay in the country for more than 3 months within a 12-month period, you can use ImmiAccount to apply for a long-stay visa.

Here’s how to apply for a visa to Australia for longer stays:

1. Create an account on the ImmiAccount website by verifying your email
2. Answer security questions to complete the signup process
3. Login to your account
4. Click “My Applications>New Application”
5. Select “Visitor>Visitor Visa”
6. Accept the terms and conditions and complete the application process
7. Pay a $195 fee

A long-stay visitor visa won’t automatically grant you a stay of 12 months. You could be given anywhere from 6 to 12 months or told that you can’t exceed a stay of 3 months.

90% of applications are processed within 31 days, but times vary based on visa type, applicant information, and how applications have been received. The Department of Home Affairs has a useful tool for checking average processing times based on the visa type and application date.

If you want to work or study in Australia, you’ll need to apply for an Australian student visa.

Australia visa cost for UK citizens

As highlighted above, long-stay visas, known as “tourist stream” visas, allow you to stay for up to 12 months but come with a fee of $195.⁵

There’s no fee for the eVisitor visa, and the ETA costs just $20.

You’ll be prompted to pay these fees at the end of the application process. The portal accepts a variety of different payment methods, including most credit and debit cards.

Managing your money in Australia

Australia uses the Australian dollar, which has the code AUD and the symbol $.

You can use cash or cards in Australia. If you opt for the latter, remember that you may be charged a non-sterling transaction fee. Charged at around 2-3% of the total purchase, these fees apply to all foreign currency transactions and can mount up over the course of your holiday.

📚 Read more: The cheapest ways to exchange currency in the UK

Best ways to convert GBP to AUD (and what to avoid)

A survey by EuroChange calculated that travellers could lose anywhere from 8 to 26% of their spending money when changing money at the airport.⁷ It might be convenient for getting your hands on some Aussie dollars at the last minute, but it’s also one of the most expensive options.

You can avoid getting stung with high fees and poor exchange rates at airports and other exchange houses by using the Wise debit card. It lets you spend in 40+ currencies by automatically converting your pounds at the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny currency conversion fee* – or it’s free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.

How to pay in Australia: Cards, cash and mobile payments

Debit cards are the most popular way to pay in Australia, but various other methods are available.⁹ You should be able to use your UK debit/credit card at most merchants and can also pay through your phone with Google/Apple Pay.¹⁰ ¹¹

Some smaller vendors and market stalls may only accept cash transactions, but there are many ATMs if you need to withdraw cash. You can also use cash-out services at the point of sale, withdrawing the money you need for a specific transaction. Just keep those non-sterling transaction fees in mind and make sure you know how much a withdrawal will cost you.¹²

How much does it cost to travel to Australia?

As noted in a previous guide on moving to Australia, it can cost you up to £800 on average just for the flights. April is usually the cheapest month to fly, but you could still be looking at an average price of around £500 per person, and that’s assuming you have easy access to the UK’s biggest airports.

There is currently only one direct flight from the UK to Australia. It departs from London Heathrow and lands in Perth. Many flights stop over in Southeast Asia or the Middle East, with Singapore, Dubai, Tokyo, and Bangkok being some of the most popular options.¹⁴

You could book a couple of days in another location to break up the trip and see more of the world, or head to Heathrow for a direct flight. Bear in mind, though, that direct flights will take over 16 hours.¹⁵

Hidden travel costs to watch out for in Australia

Australia is an expensive destination, and the spending doesn’t end when you book your flights and accommodation. To ensure you get the most bang for your Aussie bucks when you travel to Australia from the UK, keep the following hidden charges in mind:

• Airline fees: An airline may present what seems like a great offer, but if you check the small print, that seemingly low price can climb very quickly, so check for charges such as baggage fees and seat selection
• Seasonal fees: Summer is often the most expensive time to travel, but remember that seasons are different south of the equator, and Aussie summer falls between December and February¹⁶
• VAT charges: There is a 10% VAT charge in Australia, but with the Australian VAT refund scheme, you could claim a small refund of the Goods and Services Tax and Wine Equalisation Tax—check the requirements, as there are various criteria, including that you must spend a minimum of $300
• Foreign transaction fees: Anytime your currency needs to be converted, or your bank does business with an Australian bank, you could be charged a foreign transaction fee—use low-fee alternatives like Wise to reduce or negate these fees

Essential laws and travel rules in Australia

Australia drives on the left side of the road, so UK drivers don’t need to worry about remembering to switch. However, all signs are shown in metric—kilometres and not miles—with a max of 100 km/h on most roads, jumping to 110 km/h on highways. Urban areas typically have a speed limit of 50 km/h, but this is usually signposted.¹⁷

It is illegal to drink and drive, and the blood alcohol limit is 0.05. You must be at least 18 years old to buy alcohol in a shop or to buy/drink in a licensed premises.¹⁸

When you travel to Australia from the UK, make sure you declare any food and plant material that you take with you. There are some very strict laws governing what can and can’t be brought into the country, as well as quarantine rules. These are all designed to protect the country’s delicate ecosystem and ensure that no unwanted pests get in.

Here are some considerations:¹⁹

• You must declare any kind of food or plant matter, including seeds, bulbs, grains, and nuts
• Declare all animals and make sure you have the required documentation/rights before flying
• There are restrictions on how much cash you can take into the country, and you must declare anything that exceeds $10,000 or the equivalent in any other currency
• Each adult is allowed 25 cigarettes or 25 grams of tobacco
• Adults must declare duty-free purchases worth over $900, with the limit dropping to $450 for children

Emergency contacts and safety tips

As noted above, this is a safe country. However, accidents happen, and it doesn’t hurt to keep some emergency numbers on standby just in case. So, make a note of the following numbers, links, and safety tips:²⁰

• Emergency Services: The emergency number is 000—dial, describe your emergency, and then follow the operator’s instructions and advice
• Roadside Assistance: In the event of a breakdown, call the number below that corresponds to your location:
  • New South Wales NRMA: 13 11 22
  • Northern Territory AANT: 13 11 22
  • Queensland RACQ: 13 11 11
  • Tasmania RACT: 13 27 22
  • South Australia RAA: 13 11 11
  • Victoria RACV: 13 11 11
  • Western Australia RAC: 13 17 03
• Government Services: If you need assistance from the UK government, you can contact consular offices in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, and Perth.
• Spider/Snake Bites: Although being bitten by one of Australia’s most fearsome natives is rare, it can happen, and you should contact the Poison Information Centre on 13 11 26 or dial 000 if it’s an emergency.

Travelling to Australia? Use Wise for low-cost currency conversion and spending

Open a Wise account online and you can order the Wise debit card for a one-time fee of £7. You can use this clever card in 150+ countries, including Australia. It automatically converts your pounds to local currency whenever you spend using the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny, transparent conversion fee* – or it’s free if you already have the local currency in your Wise account.

You also get two free ATM withdrawals for up to 200 GBP (or currency equivalent) each month. Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks.

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FAQ

Do I need to print my ETA or eVisitor visa?

No, you don’t need to print an ETA or eVisitor visa. They are both electronic and are tied to your passport. Once you have been approved, your status will be recorded and you’ll be free to travel throughout the country for up to 3 months within any 12-month period. Once that 12-month period has ended, you must apply again before you travel to Australia from the UK.

Do I need to update my ETA or eVisitor visa for each trip?

No, you don’t need to update your visitor visas. They remain valid throughout the 12 months, and you can travel to Australia multiple times within that period.

Is travel insurance required for Australia?

No, travel insurance is not mandatory for visiting Australia, but it is highly recommended. It’s important to cover yourself for all eventualities because if anything happens, you could be facing substantial medical bills. Many services are covered by a program known as Medicare, but it won’t cover everything, and there could still be out-of-pocket expenses. The UK government website has a useful page with more details on healthcare in Australia.

Can I use my UK phone in Australia?

Yes, you can use a UK phone in Australia if global roaming is activated. Check with your provider first, though, as many networks charge substantial fees, and you’ll likely pay a lot more for calls/texts and data than you do in the UK.

What plug adapter do I need for Australia?

Australia uses a 3-pin Type I plug that is a little different from the ones in the UK, so you’ll need a 10-amp UK-to-AUS plug adapter (Type G to Type I) to use UK plugs Down Under.

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Sources used:

1. Statista - Australia: International visitors by country
2. Health GOV- Yellow fever fact sheet
3. Home Affairs - eVisitor
4. Home Affairs - ETA
5. Home Affairs - Tourist stream
6. Reserve Bank of Australia - Banknotes in circulation
7. EuroChange - Airport comparison
8. Queensland Government - The future is cashless
9. Statista - Most common online payment types in Australia
10. Apple - Apple Pay
11. Google - Where to use Google Pay
12. Reserve Bank of Australia - Access to cash in Australia
13. Lonely Planet- Tipping customs in Oceania
14. Kayak - London to Australia
15. Flight Connections - Heathrow to Perth
16. Australia - Best time to visit
17. Australia - Driving in Australia
18. Health GOV - Alcohol laws in Australia
19. Australia - Australian customs
20. The Aussie Handbook - Guide to emergency contacts

Sources last checked on date: 09-March-2025