Australia Visa Requirements
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to apply for anything before I travel to Australia?
No — with a New Zealand passport, you don't need to apply for a visa or authorisation before flying to Australia. Just make sure your passport itself is valid and, if you have one, bring proof of your onward or return travel in case you're asked.
Can I extend my stay in Australia once I'm there?
Yes. You can apply from inside Australia to stay longer, and you must do it before your current permission runs out. The official fee is AUD $250. A new grant of 3, 6 or occasionally 12 months. Condition 8558 caps total time at 12 months in any 18-month period. Base application charge, raised to AUD $250 on 1 July 2026. Non-refundable even if refused. Australia has no extension process. Lodge a new subclass 600 Tourist stream in ImmiAccount before your current visa expires; a Bridging Visa A then keeps you lawful while it is decided. Check your grant notice or VEVO for condition 8503 (No Further Stay) first. If it is present you cannot lodge onshore at all — a waiver needs compelling or compassionate circumstances that arose after the visa was granted.
Is the information on this page guaranteed to be accurate?
We check what we publish against official sources where we can, and clearly flag anything still pending verification. Even so, visa rules change — sometimes with very little notice — so please treat this page as a strong starting point, not a final word, and confirm directly with the official source linked above before you book or fly.
Before you travel — checklist
- Check your passport has enough remaining validity for your trip to Australia — many countries require at least 6 months beyond your travel dates, even for visa-free entry.
- Note this specific requirement for Australia: New Zealand citizens travelling on a New Zealand passport may be granted a Special Category Visa on arrival entitling the holder to live, work and study indefinitely (pursuant to the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement), provided that they are not assessed as either a Behaviour-concern non-citizen or a Health-concern non-citizen. May enter using SmartGate..
- Check whether Australia requires proof of onward or return travel — some border officers ask for this even when it isn't formally listed as a requirement.
- Consider travel insurance that covers your trip to Australia, particularly if any medical or emergency evacuation coverage is required or advisable for the region.
- This page's details for Australia are still pending full verification — confirm everything directly with an official government source before finalising your plans.
Visa rules change — sometimes with very little notice. This page reflects our best information as of 2026, but if you're reading this later than that, treat it as a starting point rather than the final word, and always confirm with the official source above before you travel.