If you are not a permanent visa holder, you must comply with current travel restrictions.

Travel restriction exemption

If you think you have a compassionate or compelling reason to travel to Australia, you can apply for an exemption to the travel restriction. Do not travel to Australia until DHA confirm that you can. If you are not granted an exemption, you cannot travel to Australia. All travellers applying for an exemption must apply online. Apply online for a travel exemption.

Extending visitor visas

Visitor visas and ETAs cannot be extended. If your visa expires before you are able to travel to Australia, you will need to apply for a new visa that meets your needs. Explore your visa options. Visa holders who have changed their travel plans due to travel restrictions are not considered eligible for a visa application charge (VAC) refund.

Visa processing arrangements

You should reconsider your need to apply for a Visitor visa or ETA at this time and check this page regularly for updates on travel restrictions and visa processing.

The Department is prioritising processing visa applications for those travellers in the exempt categories to support urgent travel. We encourage applicants to apply online wherever possible, as these applications will be processed faster than those lodged on paper.

You will not be able to apply for an ETA online while the travel restrictions are in place.

Some services relating to the visa application process may be impacted by COVID-19 and a range of services we rely on are increasingly unavailable. This includes overseas panel doctors (who undertake medical checks), English language testing facilities, biometric collection and paper application lodgement centres. While these services are unavailable, many applicants cannot meet visa requirements. Applicants will be given additional time to complete checks and provide the requested information.