25th, June 2026
Travel Guide
Bali remains the most popular overseas destination for Australians, and for good reason. The flight is short, the welcome is warm, and nothing quite compares to stepping into that thick, fragrant air on arrival. Getting there is still straightforward. But the pre-departure checklist has grown since most people last travelled, and a few requirements have slipped under the radar for repeat visitors who haven’t made the trip recently.
The good news: none of this is complicated. Five minutes of preparation before departure saves a significant amount of time at the airport. This guide covers exactly what Australian travellers need to sort before they fly, the visa, the tourist levy and the digital arrival form.
Do Australians Need a Visa for Bali in 2026?
Yes. Australian passport holders require a visa to enter Indonesia. There is no visa-free arrangement between the two countries. The standard option for tourists is the Visa on Arrival (VOA), available in two forms: in person at the airport, or online in advance as an Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VOA).
Both cost IDR 500,000 (approximately AUD 50), allow a stay of up to 30 days, and can be extended once for an additional 30 days, giving a maximum stay of 60 days on the same visa. The extension is processed at a local immigration office in Bali and costs an additional IDR 500,000.
The e-VOA is the better option for most travellers. Applied for online at evisa.imigrasi.go.id at least 48 hours before departure, it generates a QR code you present on arrival. More importantly, Australian electronic passport holders with an e-VOA can use the automated e-gates at Ngurah Rai International Airport, bypassing the manual immigration queues entirely, which can stretch to two hours when multiple flights arrive simultaneously.
The in-person VOA is still available at the airport for those who miss the online window. Cash (AUD, USD, EUR) and credit card are accepted at the counters, though it’s worth having a backup given occasional card reader issues.
One detail many travellers overlook: some airlines now require proof of e-VOA at check-in in Australia, before you board. Check with your carrier ahead of time to avoid any last-minute complications at the departure gate.
Travelling longer than 30 days from the outset? The C1 Tourist Visa, applied for before departure through the Indonesian consulate, allows an initial stay of 60 days and avoids the need for an in-country extension. It costs more and requires additional documentation, but is worth considering for extended stays in Bali.
The Bali Tourist Tax: What It Is and How to Pay It
From February 2024, all international visitors entering Bali are required to pay a tourism levy of IDR 150,000 (approximately AUD 15) per person, per entry. This is entirely separate from the visa cost and is not optional.
The levy is paid through the official Love Bali portal at lovebali.baliprov.go.id before you arrive. Paying online generates a QR code that you present on entry. The funds go toward cultural preservation and environmental protection across the island, a contribution that, at AUD 15, represents reasonable value.
One practical tip that applies to this and every other digital document in this process: screenshot the QR code before you board. Do not rely on airport Wi-Fi to load it on arrival. Connectivity at Ngurah Rai can be slow and unreliable when large numbers of passengers are trying to connect simultaneously. Having all three documents, visa confirmation, tourist tax receipt, and declaration form QR code, saved in your phone’s camera roll means you sail through without delays.
The All Indonesia Declaration Form
The All Indonesia Declaration Form is the newest addition to the entry process, and the one most likely to catch returning visitors off guard. It replaces the old paper customs and health arrival cards that passengers used to fill out on the plane.
The form is completed online at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id and consolidates customs, immigration, and health information into a single digital submission. It can be completed any time within three days of your departure date, doing it the evening before you fly is a sensible habit.
Like the tourist tax, it generates a QR code on completion. The same advice applies: save it offline before you travel.
Your Pre-Departure Checklist
Before you fly, run through these five items:
- Passport validity. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your planned departure date from Bali, not your arrival date. Airlines check this rigorously at Australian airports, an expired or near-expiring passport means denied boarding. If you’re anywhere close to the six-month mark, renew before you book.
- e-VOA. Apply at evisa.imigrasi.go.id at least 48 hours before departure. Check with your airline whether proof of e-VOA is required at check-in.
- Bali tourist tax. Pay online at lovebali.baliprov.go.id before departure. Screenshot the QR code.
- All Indonesia Declaration Form. Complete online within three days of departure at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id. Screenshot the QR code.
- Smarttraveler. Review the current advice for Indonesia at smartraveller.gov.au and subscribe to updates. Conditions can change, the subscription takes thirty seconds and keeps you informed.
Once You Land
With all three documents sorted in advance, e-VOA, tourist levy QR code, and All Indonesia Declaration QR code, the arrival process at Ngurah Rai is straightforward. Australian electronic passport holders with an e-VOA go directly to the automated e-gates, no manual immigration queue required.
From the airport, the drive to Seminyak typically takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. Morning arrivals generally move faster, late afternoon can be slower. Pre-arranging a transfer is worth doing, it removes the negotiation at the taxi rank entirely and means someone is waiting for you when you clear the terminal. You can also use local online taxis through applications such as Grab.
Once the paperwork is sorted, the only thing left to decide is where to stay. The Colony Hotel Bali sits on Jalan Kayu Aya No. 22, a central Seminyak address within walking distance of the beach, Petitenget Temple, and the area’s best restaurants and boutiques. Adults-only, boutique, and positioned exactly where you want to be.
Explore our accommodation options, check availability, or see our special offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Australians need a visa for Bali in 2026?
Yes. There is no visa-free arrangement between Australia and Indonesia. Australian passport holders require a Visa on Arrival (VOA) or Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) for tourist stays of up to 30 days. Both cost IDR 500,000 (approximately AUD 50). The e-VOA is applied for online at evisa.imigrasi.go.id at least 48 hours before departure and is recommended, it allows access to the automated e-gates at Ngurah Rai Airport, bypassing the standard immigration queue.
Can I still get a Bali visa on arrival at the airport, or do I have to apply online?
You can still obtain the Visa on Arrival in person at Ngurah Rai International Airport upon landing. Cash and cards are accepted at the counters. However, the e-VOA is the same price, faster overall, and gives you access to the automated e-gates, making it the better option for most travellers. Note that some airlines require proof of e-VOA at check-in in Australia, so confirm with your carrier before departure.
What is the Bali tourist tax and how do I pay it?
The Bali tourism levy is a mandatory fee of IDR 150,000 (approximately AUD 15) per person, per entry. It is separate from the visa cost. Pay online before arrival through the official Love Bali portal at lovebali.baliprov.go.id, you’ll receive a QR code to present on entry. Screenshot the QR code before boarding, do not rely on airport Wi-Fi to load it on arrival.
What is the All Indonesia Declaration Form and when do I need to fill it out?
The All Indonesia Declaration Form is the digital replacement for the old paper customs and health arrival cards. It consolidates customs, immigration, and health information into a single online submission, completed at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id within three days of your departure date. It generates a QR code on completion, save it offline ahead of travel.
How long before departure should I apply for the Bali e-VOA?
Apply at least 48 hours before your departure, though allowing 3 business days is a safer buffer. Some sources suggest processing is usually fast, but applying close to your flight carries unnecessary risk. Complete your e-VOA, tourist tax payment, and All Indonesia Declaration Form in one sitting a few days before you travel.
