Australian entry requirements and duty-free concessions

To make sure your entry into Australia goes seamlessly, you should familiarise yourself with the Australian entry requirements before travelling. These are clearly defined and very strict. The following is an overview of the individual provisions:

Passport and visa requirements

To enter Australia, you will need a valid passport and visa. If you want to visit Australia as a tourist or business traveller, the appropriate visa class will depend on your nationality. For business travellers on a Visitor visa, restrictions apply in terms of the type of business activities permitted during their stay in Australia.

Vaccination requirements

There are no vaccination requirements for entry into Australia. However, it is recommended that your routine vaccinations be up to date. Your family doctor or a travel doctor can provide you with information if required.

Cash and currencies

Any amount of Australian or foreign currency exceeding A$10,000.- or the equivalent in foreign currencies has to be declared.

Customs regulations when travelling to Australia

There are a number of import restrictions on travellers. Goods are duty-free if they are for personal use and are part of the passenger’s travel baggage. The following goods can be imported duty-free when travelling to Australia:

• Personal clothing and shoes (except fur)
• Articles for personal hygiene and grooming (except perfume concentrates)
• Goods taken from and returned to Australia on departure, except for goods purchased duty-free or exempt on departure, or for which a refund has already been paid under the Tourist Refund Scheme
• Personal items that have been owned and used by the traveller for 12 months or more
• Other items for a total purchase price of a maximum of A$900.- per adult and A$450.- per child (alcohol and tobacco are not included in these A$900.-)
• 2.25 litres of alcoholic beverages for each adult passenger
• 25g of tobacco of any kind for each adult passenger (this corresponds to around 25 cigarettes)

In addition, there are rigorous import restrictions on food, plants, and animals. Australia has a strict quarantine regime, which is consistently enforced. Infringement of quarantine regulations, including the failure to declare the corresponding products upon entry, will result in severe penalties. The import and export of many – especially endangered – animals and plants, or goods or souvenirs made from them is strictly regulated.

The import of fruit, vegetables, and meat products is strictly prohibited. Further information can be found on the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ website. To avoid problems when entering the country, we recommend that you refrain from importing food of any kind.

Animals must, as a rule, first be quarantined for some time after entry, unless the import is prohibited. The import of plants is also restricted. Further information on the import of animals and plants can be obtained from the Australian Department of Agriculture and the Australian Department of the Environment.