All budget travel visitors to other than citizens of Australia and New Zealand require a valid visa.
As simple as that.The normal term of a Tourist Visa is 3 months, but it is possible to apply for an extension. If your total stay will be no longer than six months then you can apply for the second visa online using the ETA method. However if you wish to stay longer than six months you should discuss this with the Immigration Office.
Backpacking travellers might be interested in getting a multiple entry visa, and this can also be discussed with your local Australian Embassy.
ETA (Electronic Travel Authority)
The ETA allows multiple entries with stays of up to 3 months at a time, but you are not allowed to work at backpacker jobs. It is a fully electronic service but confirmation will be sent to you by post.
Some travellers may apply through the ETA website. Citizens holding passports from Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States Of America and Vatican City may use this service.
Citizens of countries without ETA agreements with Australia will need to apply at a local Embassy or Consulate.
Long Stay Tourist Visa
This does not allow you to work but you can visit Australia for up to 6 months (or longer with a valid reason). You are required to show that you are able to support yourself financially and it is open to any age group.
Australian Student Visas
The Australian Overseas Student Program allows people who are not Australian citizens to study here. You need to be accepted into a registered, full-time course before applying for a Student Visa. Students on this scheme can work up to 20 hours per week and up to 40 hours during school holidays.
Australian Working Holiday Visa
To work here you need to apply for an Australian Working Holiday Visa in your home country - it won't be granted after you have arrived here.
You are allowed to do any kind of temporary or casual work, and it is not hard to get backpacker jobs. But you must only work with any one employer for a maximum of 3 months and you should not work for the full period of your stay.
You will need to show that:
- you have a passport that will be valid for the term of the visa
- you are coming here for a holiday
- work you do here would be incidental
- you have $5,000 in the bank
- you have your ticket home, or else extra money to buy it
- your age between 18 and 30 years
- you don't have dependent children; and
- you havn't already been here on a Working Holiday.
The countries that have working holiday agreements with Australia are: UK, Ireland, Belgium, Canada, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Taiwan.
If you take backpacker jobs with 3 months seasonal harvest work in regional Australia on your first working holiday then it may be possible to get an extension of another 12 months. If you are interested, keep up to date on harvest work availibility on the travel information websites and backpacking hostels.
There is provision for US citizens to obtain a 4 month working holiday.