Travel Documents for Entry to Australia
On this page
Everyone travelling to Australia must present a valid and approved travel document as evidence of their identity and nationality. The most common and preferred travel document is a passport.
Anyone who is not an Australian citizen also needs a valid visa or authority to enter Australia. This visa/authority needs to be obtained before travelling to Australia. Special provisions apply to New Zealand citizens and to people eligible to transit Australia without a visa.
The visa or authority to enter Australia that you need depends on how long you want to stay in Australia and what you want to do during your stay.
Please note that airlines may refuse to allow travellers to board the aircraft if they do not have a valid travel document (eg passport), or valid visa/authority to enter Australia.
More information on travel documents is available.
See:
- Entering Australia
- Fact Sheet 95 Documents Needed to Enter Australia
Australian citizens
Australian citizens require an Australian passport available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
See: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Passports
Permanent residents of Australia
Permanent residents of Australia who are not Australian citizens require a Resident Return Visa once their initial visa has expired. A Resident Return Visa is valid for 3 months or 5 years.
Note: If you already have a Resident Return Visa but have a new passport issued; carry your old passport with you as evidence of your Resident Return Visa.
See: Returning Residents
Refugee and Humanitarian Entrants
Humanitarian Programme entrants will be provided with appropriate documentation to travel to Australia. For example, a Document for Travel to Australia (DFTTA).
Note: A Humanitarian visa is not evidenced into the home country passport of successful Humanitarian Programme entrants.
See: Migrating as a Refugee of Humanitarian Entrant
New Zealand citizens
On arrival in Australia, most New Zealanders are automatically granted a Special Category Visa, subject to meeting health and character requirements. This visa allows the holder to remain and work in Australia indefinitely.
To be eligible for this Special Category Visa, New Zealand citizens must present a valid New Zealand passport at the time they enter Australia. NZ passports are available from the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs.
See: