Please note this page is intended to provide general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For information on Australia’s biosecurity and border controls, visitors should seek the most up-to-date information please visit Australia's biosecurity and border controls | Smartraveller.*
Before coming to Australia, you should have a valid passport and if required, a valid tourist visa. It is strongly advised that you have adequate health insurance, which is a mandatory requirement for some visas. You must also ensure you have enough money to support yourself for the duration of your visit, so research the costs associated with accommodation, transport, food and essential items, tours and activities.
What travel documents are required to enter Australia?Be sure to keep your documents at hand as you pass through immigration and customs, as you will be required to produce them for both immigration officers and biosecurity officers.
What can I expect upon arrival to Australia?All arriving passengers are required to complete an Incoming Passenger Card which will be given to you by your cabin crew before landing. Alternatively, they can be found near the customs and border patrol area and are available in different languages. If you have an eligible ePassport, you can use SmartGate for faster processing.
Once you have completed passenger arrival processing, proceed to customs declarations. A Border Force officer will collect your Incoming Passenger Card and may ask you questions about what you have brought with you. It is imperative that you truthfully declare the items you are bringing into Australia as failure to do so may result in penalties. There may be detector dogs present and you may be required to place your luggage through an X-ray machine and have your belongings searched.
What can’t I bring into Australia from overseas?Australia's customs laws prevent you from bringing drugs, steroids, weapons, firearms and protected wildlife into Australia. Penalties may apply, so before travelling, check the Australian Government website for information on prohibited goods, item declaration and penalties.
When entering Australia from overseas, you must declare if you are carrying any of the items in this list:
You must declare or dispose of any prohibited or restricted goods before you reach customs. Even if you do not declare any goods, your baggage is subject to inspection by a biosecurity officer. X-ray machines and detector dogs may be used. If you fail to declare or make a misleading or false declaration, your items may be seized and you may be subject to penalties such as fines or even imprisonment for criminal offences. You will not be penalised if you declare all your goods, even if they are not permitted in Australia.
What happens to goods I declare?Goods that you declare will be inspected by a biosecurity officer, who will assess the level of risk associated with the goods. In most cases, goods are low risk and will be returned to you after the inspection. However, if a biosecurity officer deems the goods to have some risk you can pay for the goods to be treated, pay to export the goods, or voluntarily dispose of the goods.
What are the customs procedures when arriving by cruise ship?The same biosecurity laws, and customs and security processing requirements apply when arriving by cruise ship as they do when arriving by plane. You will be given a Customs Declaration Form to complete which Customs and Immigration officers will review upon disembarkation. You will also undergo security screening and passport processing. If you have purchased goods on board, be sure you are not over the allowance limit for items such as alcohol and tobacco and keep all receipts as proof.
What are the customs requirements for travelling to other states and territories?Strict biosecurity laws apply when travelling to different parts of Australia, with restrictions on what you can and can’t bring. This includes interstate travel and travel to Australia’s external territories. Plant and food items such as fruit, vegetables and honey are not permitted, but there are also other items that are not allowed between certain state borders so it’s highly advised to check any restrictions before you travel. If you are carrying any restricted items, there are disposal bins located at airports and cruise terminals.
Australia’s airports and cruise ports provide services for people with disabilities which assist with getting on and off the plane or ship, getting around the terminal, customs processing and baggage handling. Some airports also offer a shuttle system, moving walkways, and curbside baggage check-in to make things easier for less-abled travellers. People with disabilities and any assistive device must go through the same security screening and customs processing as everyone else. Special assistance is also available for people with vision, hearing and other sensory impairments and is best arranged through your airline. For more information visit the People With Disability Australia and Tourism Australia’s Accessible Tourism websites.
Where can I find my country’s embassy in Australia?For information on foreign embassies and consulates in Australia visit the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
*Australian customs and biosecurity regulations change from time to time. The information provided here is valid at the time of publication, but visitors should check this information is still current by visiting Smartraveller.gov.au.
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Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.
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© Tourism Australia 2024*Product Disclaimer: Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. Information on listed products and services, including Covid-safe accreditations, are provided by the third-party operator on their website or as published on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse where applicable. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). Tourism Australia makes no representations whatsoever about any other websites which you may access through its websites such as australia.com. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site.
