Returning to Australia

Before you return

You need a valid passport or travel document to enter Australia.

If your Australian passport has expired

Find out how to get a passport when overseas on the Australian Passport Office website.

If you’re a foreign national and your Australian visa is expiring or has expired

If you hold an Australian visa and intend to return to Australia, you should check your visa’s expiry date and conditions before you go overseas. You will need a valid visa to re-enter Australia.

You can use the Department of Home Affairs’ Visa Entitlement Verification Online system (VEVO) to check your visa details and conditions.

Find out what to do if your visa is expiring or has expired on the Department of Home Affairs website.

If you need a new visa to return to Australia, consider visas processing times in your planning. You can check visa processing times on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Flying home

Learn about flight safety and behaviour before you board your flight.

If you’re returning by boat

You can find information about entering and leaving by sea on the Australian Border Force website.

When you arrive at the airport

There are things you need to do before you can leave the airport.

Required documents

You need to present a valid passport or travel document and your completed Incoming Passenger Card.

Find out more about what travel documents you need to enter Australia on the Australian Border Force website.

Biosecurity screening

Australia has strict laws around bringing in items that are prohibited or pose a biosecurity risk. You must declare or dispose of any at risk items before going through biosecurity screening. There are harsh penalties if you give misleading information.

The Australian Border Force website has more information about what you can bring into Australia.