Australia for Italy passport holders: eVisitor visa, the long-haul routing question, AUD tips
Italy passport holders enter Australia via free eVisitor (subclass 651, apply at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au). The 22-hour journey is best broken in Singapore (Singapore Airlines) or Dubai (Emirates). FCO provides free EUR→AUD conversion and free ATMs at all Australian major banks.
Visa requirements
German passport holders apply for an eVisitor (subclass 651) — free, processed online in minutes at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Valid 12 months, multiple entries, 3-month stays per visit. An ETA (Electronic Travel Authority, AUD $20) is an alternative available through the official app or travel agent. Both allow the same stay. The eVisitor (free) is recommended — apply direct at the Department of Home Affairs website only.
Documents required
- ✓Valid German passport (6+ months validity)
- ✓eVisitor subclass 651 (free, online application)
Flights from Italy to Australia
Money, cards & forex fees
Most popular travel card in Italy
Best mid-market exchange rate
Italy bank customers traveling abroad
ATMs in Australia
Best ATMs: ANZ, Commonwealth Bank (CBA), NAB, Westpac — no ATM surcharge for international cards. Avoid ATMs inside convenience stores and tourist shops.
Typical surcharge: AUD $0 at the Big 4 bank ATMs (ANZ, CBA, NAB, Westpac) — no surcharge for foreign cards; AUD $2–3 at smaller ATMs
Withdrawal tip: Australia is very card-friendly — contactless almost everywhere. Keep AUD $50–100 for markets and rural areas.
Top cities in Australia
Sydney
The Harbour Bridge and Opera House are iconic — but Sydney is much more than its landmarks. Bondi Beach, Manly Ferry, the Royal Botanic Garden, and Darling Harbour make it one of the world's most liveable cities. Blue Mountains (2h drive) for bushland escapes.
Melbourne
Australia's cultural capital — laneway cafés, street art, AFL, the MCG, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the Great Ocean Road (3h drive). Melbourne consistently ranks in the world's most liveable cities. Coffee culture is excellent.
The Great Barrier Reef (Cairns)
One of the world's seven natural wonders — 2,300km of coral reef accessible from Cairns. Diving, snorkelling, and liveaboard experiences. Daintree Rainforest (oldest in the world) is 2h north. Cape Tribulation is one of the few places where reef meets rainforest.
The Australia routing decision: Singapore or Dubai?
FCO to Sydney or Melbourne is approximately 22 hours with one stop. The two main routing options are via Singapore (Singapore Airlines, Italy carriers codeshares with SIA) or via Dubai (Emirates). Singapore Airlines via Changi is consistently rated the world's best airline — comfortable cabins, Changi Airport is outstanding for a layover (swimming pool, gardens, cinema). Emirates via Dubai offers a shorter European sector and access to their very broad Australian destinations (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin). Economy return fares average €1,050–1,350 ($1,130–1,450 USD). Qantas is the Australian carrier with a strong FCO connection via Singapore. For the 22-hour journey, paying for premium economy or business significantly improves the experience — consider the upgrade cost relative to the total trip budget.
On-arrival tips
- 1Australia is 22+ hours from Germany — break the journey in Singapore or Dubai to reduce fatigue
- 2eVisitor must be approved before boarding — apply weeks in advance, not the night before
- 3Australian biosecurity: declare EVERYTHING on the incoming passenger card
- 4Australian Big 4 bank ATMs don't charge international cards — take advantage
Key takeaways
- ✓Italy passport: eVisitor (free) at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — valid 12 months, 3-month stays
- ✓22-hour journey — break via Singapore (SIA) or Dubai (Emirates) to reduce fatigue
- ✓Revolut or Wise: zero forex EUR→AUD + free at Australian Big 4 bank ATMs
- ✓Australian biosecurity: strictest in the world — declare all food items
- ✓Tipping not mandatory in Australia
Related visa guides
Visa information is based on publicly available government sources and official embassy data. Entry requirements, fees, and procedures change frequently — always verify with the official embassy or consulate of Australia before travelling. ForexFee is not a legal adviser.