Travelling to Australia
Australia's spectacular natural environment, multicultural communities, excellent food and wine, its weather and lifestyle and the friendliness and openness of its people make it one of the world\'s most attractive tourist destinations and also one of the best places in the world in which to live and conduct business.
Planning a journey
Visas and Travel Requirements
All travellers, except citizens of New Zealand, must obtain a visa or electronic travel authority (ETA) before travelling to Australia. You can find out more about applying for an Australian visa on our Visa, Migration and Citizenship page and on the website of the Department of Home Affairs.
Please note that the Australian Embassy in the Netherlands does not process visa applications and cannot offer visa or immigration advice. If you require further assistance or more specific information on visas or immigration to Australia, please contact the Europe Service Centre in London.
In addition, you must also be in possession of a valid travel document on arrival in Australia.
Planning your trip
If you are thinking of travelling to Australia, australia.com - the official website of Tourism Australia - is the best place to start planning. Tourism Australia provides a wide range of travel information and tools including travel images,a currency converter, weather updates, maps, suggested itineraries and details of specialist travel agents.
Customs and Imports
There are various rules and restrictions on what you can and cannot send or take with you to Australia. The headings below give basic information about different types of imports. For specific questions, please contact the relevant organisatons listed below.
General Imports
The Australian Customs Service controls the import of most goods to Australia, implements duties and taxes on imported goods, and exercises controls on drugs, alcohol, tobacco, currency, weapons, and commercial samples.
You may wish to consult the Guide for Travellers, which contains useful information in several languages for travellers arriving by air or sea. If you require more specific information, please contact the Australian customs office in Brussels:
Australian Customs and Border Protection, Brussels
Telephone: +32 2286 0584
Fax: +32 2230 2022
Email: customs.brussels@dfat.gov.au
Food, Plant and Animal Products
Food, plant material and animal products from overseas could introduce some of the world\'s most serious pests and diseases into Australia, devastating the valuable agriculture and tourism industries and unique environment. The Department of Agriculture is responsible for carrying out checks on these items and provides information on restricted items and declaration procedures for travellers to Australia. For more specific information, please contact the Department of Agriculture directly:
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858,
Canberra ACT 2601
AUSTRALIA
Telephone: +61 26 272 3933
Email: Enquiry Form
Medicines and Medicinal Goods
When travelling to Australia, you may require official permission to bring certain medicines or medicinal products with you. Information on imports of medications can be obtained from the Therapeutic Goods Administration website. If you require more specific information, please contact the Therapeutic Goods Administration directly:
Therapeutic Goods Administration
PO Box 100
Woden ACT 2606
AUSTRALIA
Telephone: +61 26 232 8444
Email: info@tga.gov.au
Living in Australia
Government Services
The Australian Government's website australia.gov.au is your gateway to all sorts of information ranging from citizenship, health, settlement assistance for migrants, working conditions to buying a home in Australia.
Embassies and Consulates in Australia
If you are a Dutch citizen in need of assistance while in Australia you may wish to contact either the Netherlands' Embassy or Consulates located around the country. Nationals of other countries can consult the comprehensive lists of Embassies and Consular representatives in Australia.
Working in Australia
If you wish to work while in Australia you will need to obtain an appropriate visa. A number of different options are available depending on your circumstances.
You will also need to be aware of your rights, responsibilities and opportunities as a worker in Australia. A number of useful links are available from the Australian Government website and from the Department of Home Affairs.
Please note the Australian Embassy in the Netherlands is not able to provide specific advice or assistance relating to finding or undertaking work in Australia. There are a range of sources for online job advertisements including employment and recruitment agencies, individual company websites, and newspapers. You may also wish to consult the Australian government's JobSearch website.
Driving in Australia
Information concerning the requirements for driving on foreign licenses within each State or Territory of Australia can be found at http://australia.gov.au/content/driving-with-an-overseas-licence.
For further information on driving in Australia, you may wish to consult Austroads - the association of Australian and New Zealand road transport and traffic authorities. The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) can also assist you with driving-related matters such as driving regulations, roads system, car rental and purchase, insurance, accident reporting and overseas motoring clubs and the services they provide. The AAA also provides specific information on permanent and temporary importation of vehicles to Australia, and on petrol prices in major regional centres in each State.
Healthcare in Australia
Australia has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the Netherlands, meaning travellers from the Netherlands to Australia can receive some essential and urgent medical treatments. This is not intended to replace the need for private medical insurance, and travellers should still ensure they are adequately insured.
For more information, please contact the Department of Human Services in Australia.
Marriage in Australia
Visiting foreign nationals can marry in Australia provided the necessary arrangements have been made beforehand. There is no residential qualification and there is no requirement for Australian citizenship or residence.
More information on the required preparations and the contact details for the registries of marriages in each State are available from the Attorney-General's Department. You may also need to contact the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the State or Territory where you intend to marry.
Returning from Australia
Tourist Refund Scheme
The Tourist Refund Scheme may entitle you to a refund of the goods and services tax (GST) and wine equalisation tax (WET) that you paid on goods purchased in Australia. Information including the terms and conditions for the refund and a travellers' brochure available in several languages can be obtained from the Australian Customs Service.
Taxation and Superannuation for Departing Temporary Residents
When you leave Australia, your tax situation may change. You can obtain information on what you need to do to get your tax affairs in order from the Australian Taxation Office. If you leave Australia after a period as a temporary resident, you may also be entitled to repayment of superannuation benefits payments made on your behalf by your employer.
The Australian Embassy in the Netherlands is not able to give advice in relation to taxation or related benefits. To check your eligibility and to make a claim, you should contact the Australian Taxation Office.