Australia entry requirements for British passport holders (2026): visa and passport validity
Passport validity (FCDO rule): Valid for the whole stay (until the day you leave)
Visa (FCDO): Read the official visa text below
Official source: GOV.UK – Australia travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 19 March 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Whether you need a visa and how long your British passport must be valid to enter Australia, as published by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), quoted word for word, with a checker for your dates.
Other passports: Canadian passport · Italian citizens: documenti per italiani
Driving in Australia, do you need an international driving permit? UK licence · Canadian licence
Do I need a visa for Australia with a British passport?
We quote the FCDO text word for word and do not summarise it. The FCDO text describes an electronic visa or travel authorisation (ETA): read it in full.
You must have a visa to visit Australia.
Applying for a visa
British citizens can usually get the following types of electronic visitor visa:
- eVisitor visa – there is no visa application charge or service fee
- Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) through the iOS app or Android app – there is no visa application charge, but there may be a service fee
The Department of Home Affairs has information on all other types of visas.
Official source: GOV.UK – Australia travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO), section “Visa requirements” · page last updated 19 March 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Passport validity: official text “Passport validity requirements”
To enter Australia, your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay.
If you’re travelling through or transiting another country on your way to or from Australia, check the entry requirements for that country. Many countries require at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport, even if you’re just in transit and do not pass through immigration.
Official source: GOV.UK – Australia travel advice, Entry requirements (FCDO) · page last updated 19 March 2026 · checked on 17 October 2026
Check your passport for Australia
Schengen rules count your whole trip in the Schengen area: if you visit several Schengen countries, enter the day you first enter the area and the day you leave the last Schengen country.
The check runs in your browser: your dates are not sent anywhere. It applies the FCDO sentence literally (for example “6 months” is counted as the same day of the month 6 months later).
For British passport holders only. These are the rules published by the UK government (FCDO) for British citizens. If you hold another passport, check your own government's advice. The airline and the border officials of the destination decide whether you can travel or enter: this site is information, not legal advice.
Also in the official text
Many countries require at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport, even if you’re just in transit and do not pass through immigration.
Recent FCDO updates to the entry requirements
- 10 December 2025: “New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).”
- 5 July 2022: “Updated information on the lifting of the requirement to prove your COVID-19 vaccination status for entry to Australia ('Entry requirements' page)”
- 21 April 2022: “Updated information on demonstrating proof of vaccination status ('Entry requirements' page)”
- 19 April 2022: “Updated following the removal of pre-departure COVID-19 testing for entry to Australia, and removal of all departure restrictions ('Coronavirus' and 'Entry requirements' pages).”
- 21 February 2022: “Updates include overhaul of entry and departure rules in response to re-opening of borders to fully vaccinated visa holders, small changes to 'Travel in Australia', and minor revisions elsewhere. ('Entry requirements' page)”
Read the full FCDO travel advice for Australia (safety, visas, health) before you travel.
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Same FCDO rule (Valid for the whole stay)
and 19 more destinations with the same rule: see all
Passport validity rules for all destinations · Liquids rules by airport · EES and ETIAS status