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Australian passport to Canada

Australian citizens need an eTA to fly to Canada or change planes there. It costs CA$7 on the official site. You don't need one if you arrive by land or sea, for example driving in from the USA or on a cruise, but you still need your passport.

Apply on the official Government of Canada site Check my dates

The rules

What you need: eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
Costs: CA$7
When to apply: Before you book your flight. Most are approved in minutes, but some take several days.
How long it lasts: 5 years, or until your passport expires if that's sooner
How long you can stay: Usually up to 6 months per visit. The border officer decides and may give you more or less time. Apply for a visitor record from inside Canada.
Your passport: Valid for your whole stay. Unless the officer gives you a different date, your stay ends after 6 months or when your passport expires, whichever comes first. Use the passport your eTA is linked to.
Arrival card: Advance Declaration in ArriveCAN (optional). Optional. If you're flying into one of 10 big Canadian airports, you can make your customs and immigration declaration in the ArriveCAN app up to 72 hours before your flight. It makes the kiosk or eGate faster when you land. Official site

Quick answers

Do Australian citizens need a visa for Canada?

Not a visa, but you need an eTA before you travel. Australian citizens need an eTA to fly to Canada or change planes there. It costs CA$7 on the official site. You don't need one if you arrive by land or sea, for example driving in from the USA or on a cruise, but you still need your passport.

How much does the eTA cost?

CA$7 on the official site. Apply before you book your flight. Most are approved in minutes, but some take several days. Other websites charge more for the same form.

How long can Australian citizens stay in Canada?

Usually up to 6 months per visit. The border officer decides and may give you more or less time. Apply for a visitor record from inside Canada.

How long does my passport need to be valid for Canada?

Valid for your whole stay. Unless the officer gives you a different date, your stay ends after 6 months or when your passport expires, whichever comes first. Use the passport your eTA is linked to.

Things that could change this

Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime in any country, including drink-driving or drug-driving?
If yes: You may not be allowed into Canada
Even a minor offence such as impaired driving can make you inadmissible. If enough time has passed, you may count as rehabilitated. If not, apply for rehabilitation, at least 5 years after your sentence ended (it can take over a year), or for a temporary resident permit before you travel.
Read the official guidance
Is a child under 18 travelling with only one parent, or without their parents?
If yes: Carry a consent letter for your child
If you're travelling with a child under 18 and the other parent or guardian isn't with you, or you're not the child's parent or guardian, carry a consent letter. It must give the parents' or guardians' full names, addresses and phone numbers. Having it notarised helps avoid delays. Bring copies of any custody papers too.
Read the official guidance

Good to know

Use the official eTA site. Other websites charge extra to submit your eTA and aren't part of the Government of Canada. The official site is on canada.ca, where it costs CA$7.

Also Canadian? Use your Canadian passport. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, can't get an eTA. If you're also Canadian, fly in on a valid Canadian passport, or you may be refused boarding.

Don't bring cannabis. It's illegal to take cannabis, including CBD products, across the Canadian border without special permission from Health Canada, even if it's legal where you're coming from. If you have any with you, you must declare it.

Checked 26 October 2026 against Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Canada Border Services Agency and Smartraveller.

See the 10 official sources

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Apply for an eTA (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Find out about eTAs and if you can apply (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Do I have to apply for an eTA each time I travel to Canada? (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (Help Centre))
Do I need to apply for an eTA before I book my airline ticket? (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (Help Centre))
Entry requirements by country or territory (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
eTA: what to do after you apply (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
Extend your stay in Canada as a visitor (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
ArriveCAN: Advance Declaration (Canada Border Services Agency)
Canada travel advice (Smartraveller (Australian Government))