Australia's Department of Home Affairs has released a list of countries whose citizens can transit through Australian airports without a visa. The Transit Without Visa (TWOV) arrangement, applicable in 2026, allows eligible passengers to connect to a third country, provided they meet specific requirements. The updated guidance, last modified on September 23, 2024, identifies over 70 countries whose citizens may qualify for visa-free transit.
To qualify for visa-free transit, travellers must arrive in Australia by air and have a confirmed ticket for an onward flight to another country, departing within eight hours of their arrival. They must also hold a valid travel document accepted by the country they are travelling to and remain inside the airport's transit lounge until they board their connecting flight. Failure to meet these conditions will disqualify them from the TWOV facility.
The list of eligible countries includes Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, and Vatican.
In addition to the listed countries, residents of Hong Kong travelling with a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport or a British National Overseas passport may also qualify. Taiwan residents with passports issued by Taiwan's authorities are included, as are Indian government officials travelling on official Indian passports. However, diplomatic passport holders from certain countries, including Afghanistan, Algeria, and Syria, are excluded from the TWOV arrangement.
The Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs has emphasized that holding a passport from an eligible country alone does not guarantee access to the TWOV facility. Travellers must confirm their airport arrangements before departure to ensure they meet the strict conditions. The department has also updated its student visa rules, targeting several visa categories to manage population growth, protect workers, and strengthen the integrity of the visa system.
The updated student visa rules, rolled out progressively over the next 12 months, aim to address concerns around population growth and worker protection. The changes reflect the Australian Government's efforts to maintain the integrity of its visa system. Meanwhile, the TWOV arrangement provides eligible travellers with greater flexibility when transiting through Australian airports.
The Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs has published its updated conditions for travellers who can pass through the country's airports without obtaining a transit visa. With over 70 countries eligible for visa-free transit, travellers are advised to check the department's website for the latest information on TWOV arrangements and requirements.
Key points
- Citizens from over 70 countries can transit Australia without a visa, but must meet strict conditions.
- Travellers must stay within the airport transit lounge and hold a confirmed onward ticket to qualify for visa-free transit in Australia.
- The Transit Without Visa (TWOV) arrangement applies in 2026 and allows eligible passengers to connect to a third country.
