Which countries can Australian passport holders visit without a visa?

Australian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 145 countries including all Schengen nations, UK, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, and most of South America (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay). Additionally, 40 countries offer visa-on-arrival, and 11 countries provide electronic travel authorization (eTA) including the USA, Canada, and UK.

Do Australians need a visa for the USA, UK, and Canada?

Australians don't need a traditional visa but must obtain electronic travel authorization before traveling. For the USA, apply for ESTA; for Canada, get an eTA; and for the UK, apply for an ETA. These are quick online processes typically approved within minutes to 72 hours and are valid for multiple entries over 2-5 years.

What countries require Australian passport holders to get a visa in advance?

Only 17 countries require Australians to obtain a visa in advance, including Russia, Brazil, Afghanistan, Algeria, Chad, Congo (Rep.), Eritrea, Ghana, Libya, Mali, Nauru, Niger, North Korea, Sudan, Turkmenistan, and Yemen. Additionally, 23 countries offer e-visas (including India, Vietnam, Pakistan, and China for certain purposes), making pre-arrival arrangements easier.

Can Australian citizens work in other countries with just their passport?

Australian passport holders have automatic right to live and work in New Zealand without restrictions under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement. For other countries, a work visa or permit is required regardless of visa-free tourist access. However, Australia has working holiday agreements with over 40 countries, making it easier for young Australians (typically 18-30 or 35) to obtain temporary work rights.

Is military service mandatory for Australian passport holders?

No, Australia does not have mandatory military service. The Australian Defence Force is entirely volunteer-based. There is no conscription, and Australian citizens are not required to perform military or alternative civilian service. This has been the case since the abolition of National Service in 1972.

How long does it take to renew an Australian passport in 2025?

Standard Australian passport renewal takes approximately 3 weeks from lodgement to delivery within Australia. Priority processing (2 business days) and express processing (10 business days) are available for additional fees. Applicants can renew online if their previous passport was issued when they were 16 or older. Processing times may be longer during peak travel seasons (December-January).

Can Australians enter China visa-free in 2025?

Yes, Australian passport holders can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 15 days for tourism, business, or family visits as of 2025. This policy was introduced in late 2024. For stays longer than 15 days or for other purposes (work, study), an e-visa or traditional visa is required. Hong Kong and Macau offer separate visa-free access for up to 90 days.

What documents do Australian citizens need for visa-on-arrival countries?

For visa-on-arrival destinations, Australians typically need: a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond entry date, a completed arrival card, proof of onward/return travel, proof of accommodation, and sufficient funds (cash or credit card). Visa fees vary by country (USD $20-100). Popular visa-on-arrival destinations include Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Maldives, Cambodia, Nepal, and UAE.

Are there any countries Australian passport holders cannot visit?

Australian passport holders face entry restrictions to North Korea (requires special authorization and guided tours only), and travel to Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Libya, and South Sudan is strongly advised against by the Australian government due to extreme safety risks. While technically possible to obtain visas for some of these countries, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs issues 'do not travel' warnings for these destinations.

Australia Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 185 Countries

🏠 RBI Available

The Australian passport ranks 7th globally in 2025, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 185 destinations worldwide. This powerful travel document has consistently maintained a top-10 position since 2006, reflecting Australia's strong diplomatic relationships and international standing. Australian passport holders enjoy exceptional global mobility, with access to major regions including Europe's Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Japan, and numerous other countries, making it one of the world's most valuable passports for international travel and business opportunities.

Global Rank

out of 199 countries

Visa Free Access

185

countries worldwide

Mobility Score

out of 100 points

Quick Statistics for Australia passport

134

Visa-Free

On Arrival

ETA Required

E-Visa

Visa Required

Source: Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Australian Citizens

Popular destinations where Australia passport holders can travel without a visa:

Country	Maximum Stay	Code
Japan	Up to 90 days	JP
Singapore	Up to 90 days	SG
Thailand	Up to 45 days	TH
New Zealand	Up to 90 days	NZ
United Kingdom	Up to 180 days	GB

Visa Requirements by Country

Complete breakdown of visa requirements for Australia passport holders

✅ Visa-Free

134 countries

🛬 Visa on Arrival

40 countries

🔐 ETA Required

11 countries

💻 E-Visa

24 countries

❌ Visa Required

17 countries

Historical Ranking Trend

Australia's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Improved by 2 positions from 2006 to 2025

Citizenship and Residency Programs

🏠 Residency by Investment (RBI)

Obtain residency in Australia through qualified investments, with potential pathways to citizenship.

RBI Program Available

Official Australia Passport & Travel Resources

Access official government resources for passport services, travel advisories, and visa information:

🔗

Australian Passport Office

🔗

Smartraveller - DFAT

🔗

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

🔗

Australian Government - Travel

🔗

Home Affairs - Entering and Leaving Australia

Compare Australia Passport with Other Passports

See how Australia's passport compares with other OCEANIA in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Australia (You are here)	#7	185	85/100	93/100
New Zealand	#6	186	92/100	33/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

The Australian passport ranks 7th globally in 2025 with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 185 destinations. This makes it one of the world's most powerful passports, offering Australians extensive travel freedom. The ranking has remained consistently strong, fluctuating between 6th and 9th place over the past two decades.

Explore More Passport Rankings

Discover Australia's passport power and compare with other countries to find the world's most powerful travel documents.

View All Passport Rankings

Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Australia Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 185 Countries

🏠 RBI Available

Country

Maximum Stay

Code

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 45 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 180 days

Historical Ranking Trend

Australia's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Improved by 2 positions from 2006 to 2025

Compare Australia Passport with Other Passports

See how Australia's passport compares with other OCEANIA in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Australia (You are here)	#7	185	85/100	93/100
New Zealand	#6	186	92/100	33/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Quick Statistics for Australia passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Australian Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Australia's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Citizenship and Residency Programs

🏠 Residency by Investment (RBI)

Official Australia Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Australia Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the Australian passport in 2025?

Which countries can Australian passport holders visit without a visa?

Do Australians need a visa for the USA, UK, and Canada?

What countries require Australian passport holders to get a visa in advance?

Can Australian citizens work in other countries with just their passport?

Is military service mandatory for Australian passport holders?

How long does it take to renew an Australian passport in 2025?

Can Australians enter China visa-free in 2025?

What documents do Australian citizens need for visa-on-arrival countries?

Are there any countries Australian passport holders cannot visit?

Explore More Passport Rankings

Quick Statistics for Australia passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Australian Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Australia's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Citizenship and Residency Programs

🏠 Residency by Investment (RBI)

Official Australia Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Australia Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the Australian passport in 2025?

Which countries can Australian passport holders visit without a visa?

Do Australians need a visa for the USA, UK, and Canada?

What countries require Australian passport holders to get a visa in advance?

Can Australian citizens work in other countries with just their passport?

Is military service mandatory for Australian passport holders?

How long does it take to renew an Australian passport in 2025?

Can Australians enter China visa-free in 2025?

What documents do Australian citizens need for visa-on-arrival countries?

Are there any countries Australian passport holders cannot visit?

Explore More Passport Rankings