Customs is a separate check from biosecurity. Biosecurity asks whether an item is a risk to Australia; customs asks whether duty and tax are owed on it. You can clear one and be stopped by the other.
The concessions
- General goods: A$900 if you are 18 or over, A$450 if you are under 18
- Alcohol: 2.25 litres, 18 and over
- Tobacco: 25 grams in any form, plus one open packet, 18 and over
Things people get wrong
- Duty free bought on the way in still counts towards the concession
- Gifts count — it is the value of what you are carrying, not what you paid for yourself
- Families cannot always pool concessions the way they assume; check before you rely on it
If you are over the limit
Declare it and provide proof of purchase so duty and tax can be worked out. Failing to declare goods above the concession can result in penalties, prosecution, or cancellation of your visa. Declaring simply means paying what is owed.
Source: Australian Border Force / Home Affairs — Duty free concessions
Currency also has a reporting requirement at the border: cash and instruments such as traveller's cheques worth AUD 10,000 or more in total must be declared — see the money page for how.
More on the eVisitor
After you land
Your visa gets you on the plane. What comes after — SmartGate, cash, tax refunds, healthcare, driving, emergencies — checked against official sources.
Money, cards and tipping
Prices include 10% GST, card surcharges are banned from 1 October 2026, and tipping is optional. Cash of AUD 10,000+ must be declared.
Tax refund (TRS)
Spend AUD 300+ with one business within 60 days of leaving, carry the goods, and claim at the airport at least 30 minutes before departure.
Smoking, vaping, alcohol
Vapes are sold only in pharmacies; travellers may bring 2 for their own treatment. The drinking age is 18, and smoking is banned in enclosed public places.
Work and study
The eVisitor is a visitor visa. It does not permit work for an Australian employer, and study is limited to 3 months.
Passport and details
The eVisitor is linked to the passport you applied with. A renewed passport, a mismatched name or the wrong nationality all stop you at check-in.