Australian travellers heading to the United Kingdom are being urged to check their documents now, with a major border change coming into force from 25 February.
From that date, Australian passport holders who do not already hold UK immigration status will need to secure an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK for short stays of up to six months.
The ETA is a pre-travel authorisation that allows security checks to be carried out before departure, forming part of the UK’s shift to a streamlined digital border system. The move aligns the UK with countries including Australia, New Zealand and the United States, which already operate similar advance travel clearance systems.
Australian citizens without UK citizenship can apply via the UK ETA app or online here.
What is the ETA?
The ETA will be mandatory for visitors from visa-exempt countries and applies to citizens of 85 nationalities, including Australians, from next Wednesday, 25 February.
It currently costs £16 (AU$30) and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over a two-year period, or until the passport expires – whichever comes first. ETAs are also required for travellers transiting the UK if they pass through passport control.
Who cannot apply
Notably, dual British-Australian and Irish-Australian citizens are not eligible for an ETA.
British and Irish citizens already have rights to live and work in the UK. From 25 February, they must enter the UK using either a valid British passport, a valid Irish passport, or another valid passport containing a certificate of entitlement confirming right of abode.
Under new automated carrier checks, airlines will be required to verify that British nationals are travelling on appropriate documentation. Without it, passengers may face delays or be refused boarding.
Irish citizens remain exempt from ETA requirements under the long-standing Common Travel Area arrangements between the UK and Ireland. More information is available HERE.
British citizenship by descent
The changes may catch out some Australians who are British citizens by descent but have never held a UK passport. In many cases, British citizenship is automatically passed down one generation to children born outside the UK, depending on parental circumstances at the time of birth.
Travellers unsure of their status are advised to consult the GOV.UK page ‘Check if you’re British’ and contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) if required. Automatic citizenship operates by law if conditions are met at birth – there is no need to “claim” it.
As British citizens cannot travel on an ETA, dual nationals – including children – must obtain either a valid UK passport or a Certificate of Entitlement to travel from 25 February 2026.
Passports, certificates and urgent travel
UK passport applications lodged from Australia are typically processed within four weeks, provided no additional documentation or identity interview is required. An adult online renewal from Australia currently costs £108 (AU$206), with child applications £70 (AU$133), plus an overseas courier fee.
Alternatively, eligible dual nationals may apply for a certificate of entitlement, which confirms right of abode. The certificate costs £589 (AU$1,126) outside the UK and decisions in Australia are usually made within three weeks of attending a visa application centre.
For urgent cases, British nationals overseas may apply for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD), generally valid for a single or return journey. Guidance is available at: Travel urgently from abroad without your UK passport: Who can apply?
Deputy British High Commissioner to Australia, Dr Brian Jones, said: “From 25 February 2026, Australian citizens will need an ETA to travel to the UK. Dual British citizens are not eligible for an ETA and must travel on a British passport or certificate of entitlement in their valid foreign passport.
“These changes are designed to make our border more secure, and entry to the UK more streamlined. These new digital systems align us with the approach many other countries, including Australia, take to border security. Check your documents before you travel. Use our online GOV.UK guidance if you are unsure of your citizenship status.”
