US passport to Australia
US citizens need an ETA to visit Australia. Apply in the official AustralianETA app. It costs A$20.
The rules
- What you need
- ETA (Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601))
- Costs
- A$20
- When to apply
- Before you travel. Some applications are referred for more checks, so leave time.
- How long it lasts
- 12 months. You can visit as many times as you like. It's linked to your passport, so travel on the passport you applied with.
- How long you can stay
- Up to 3 months per visit.
- Your passport
- Valid for your whole stay
- Arrival card
- Incoming Passenger Card. Fill in an Incoming Passenger Card on the plane. Declare any food, plant or animal products and medicines on it.
Quick answers
Do US citizens need a visa for Australia?
Not a visa, but you need an ETA before you travel. US citizens need an ETA to visit Australia. Apply in the official AustralianETA app. It costs A$20.
How much does the ETA cost?
A$20 on the official site. Apply before you travel. Some applications are referred for more checks, so leave time. Other websites charge more for the same form.
How long can US citizens stay in Australia?
Up to 3 months per visit.
How long does my passport need to be valid for Australia?
Valid for your whole stay.
Do I need an arrival card for Australia?
Yes. Fill in an Incoming Passenger Card on the plane. Declare any food, plant or animal products and medicines on it.
Things that could change this
- Are you also an Australian citizen?If yes: Use your Australian passportIf you're also an Australian citizen, you must enter and leave Australia on your Australian passport.
- Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? Don't count parking or speeding fines.If yes: You need a Visitor visa instead of an ETAIf you have a criminal conviction in any country, don't apply for an ETA. Home Affairs says to apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) instead and send evidence about your convictions.
- Are you taking any medicines with you, including cold, flu, allergy or pain remedies?If yes: Declare your medicinesDeclare medicines on your Incoming Passenger Card. Keep them in their original packaging, carry your prescription or a letter from your doctor saying what you take and how much you're bringing, and bring no more than 3 months' supply. Some medicines have extra rules, so check the TGA site before you go.
- Are you taking a vape or e-cigarette?If yes: Strict limits on vapesYou can bring up to 2 vapes, 20 vape accessories (such as pods or cartridges) and 200 mL of vape liquid. They must be for your own use, or for someone in your care on the same flight or ship.
Good to know
Declare food, plants and animal products. Australia has strict biosecurity rules. Declare food, plant material and animal products on your card, or put them in the bins at the airport. You can get a heavy fine if you don't.
Only use the official ETA app. Some websites charge far more than the A$20 official fee to apply for an ETA. Use the official AustralianETA app.
Digital arrival card on the way. Australia plans to replace the paper Incoming Passenger Card with a digital Australia Travel Declaration at all airports and seaports by the end of 2027. Until then, most travellers still fill in the paper card.
Yellow fever certificate. If you're arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever, you need a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Checked 26 October 2026 against Department of Home Affairs, Australia, Australian High Commission, Ottawa, Tourism Australia and US Department of State.
See the 5 official sources
- Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) (Department of Home Affairs, Australia)
- Visas, Migration and Citizenship (Australian High Commission, Ottawa)
- Australian visa and entry requirements FAQs (Tourism Australia (Australian Government))
- Australian customs and biosecurity FAQs (Tourism Australia (Australian Government))
- Australia International Travel Information (US Department of State)
Related guides
- ESTA, ETA, eTA and ETIAS explainedFour travel permits with similar names, and who needs which.
- Passport validity rulesWhen a passport that hasn't expired still isn't good enough.
- Travelling with medicinesCold remedies banned in Japan, codeine in the UAE, and how to check.
- Travelling on two passportsWhich one to show, and when it changes your limits.