Everyone on board a superyacht entering Australia, including the captain, crew and guests, must hold a valid passport and an Australian visa before arrival. Crew working on board need a work-appropriate visa, while guests travelling for leisure generally need a visitor visa.
Visa processing can take time, particularly for multinational crews who may need health checks or police certificates. Start applications well before your planned arrival.
Which visa do I need?
| Who | Usual visa | Apply through |
|---|---|---|
| Crew working on a superyacht | Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408), Superyacht Crew stream | ImmiAccount |
| Guests holding a passport from the USA, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan or Brunei | Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) | AustralianETA app |
| Guests holding a passport from the UK, an EU member state, or another eligible European country | eVisitor (subclass 651) | ImmiAccount |
| Guests from all other countries | Visitor visa (subclass 600) | ImmiAccount |
Not sure? Use the Home Affairs Visa Finder.
Crew visas
Superyacht Crew visa (subclass 408)
The Superyacht Crew stream of the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) allows you to work in Australia as crew on a superyacht. For this visa, a superyacht is a luxury sail or motor vessel 24 metres or longer that carries no cargo and is used for recreation.
With this visa, crew can:
- work as superyacht crew for the employer named on the visa
- enter and leave Australia as many times as needed while the visa is valid
Who can apply
Crew must:
- be 18 years or older
- hold a crew contract or letter of employment
- have a supporter or sponsor (see below)
- have enough money to support themselves during their stay
- hold adequate health insurance
- meet the health and character requirements
- intend to stay in Australia temporarily
Supporter or sponsor?
| Situation | What is needed | Who provides it |
|---|---|---|
| Applying from outside Australia and staying less than 3 months | Supporter | The captain, owner or operator of the superyacht, by providing a letter of invitation |
| Applying from inside Australia, or staying more than 3 months | Sponsor | An approved temporary activities sponsor (or an organisation that has applied to become one) |
Documents you will need
- passport (and national identity card, if you have one)
- employment contract or letter from your employer
- supporter’s letter of invitation, or evidence of sponsorship
- evidence that the vessel meets the superyacht definition
- evidence that you can support yourself financially
- certified English translations of any documents not in English
How long can crew stay?
The visa usually allows a stay of up to 12 months. If you are outside Australia when the visa is granted, the stay period starts when you arrive. If you are in Australia, it starts on the date of grant. Time spent outside Australia still counts towards the stay period.
The visa cannot be extended. To stay longer, crew must apply for a new visa. Some visas carry condition 8503 (No further stay), which may prevent a new application in Australia. Crew can check their visa conditions using VEVO.
Changing jobs or leaving the vessel
The visa is linked to the employer named on it. Crew who change employer need to apply for a new visa. If employment ends, crew must either apply for a new visa (if eligible) or leave Australia within 28 days, or sooner if their visa expires first.
Cost and processing
Check the current application charge using the Visa Pricing Estimator. Allow for additional costs such as health checks, police certificates and biometrics. Current processing times are listed on the Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times page.
How to apply
Apply online through ImmiAccount. Crew can apply from inside or outside Australia, but not while in immigration clearance. Home Affairs provides a step-by-step guide.
Captain’s Tip
Visiting captains with multinational crews recommend starting visa applications early. Depending on nationality, some crew may need health checks and police certificates, which add time to processing. We strongly advise working with a local superyacht agent who is familiar with this process. With good preparation, the process is very manageable.
Guest visas
Guests travelling to Australia for a holiday on board a superyacht generally need a visitor visa. Each of the options below allows a stay of up to three months per visit. Which one applies depends on the guest’s passport.
Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
The ETA is for passport holders from the USA, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan and Brunei.
- apply through the AustralianETA app
- valid for 12 months, with multiple entries
- stay up to three months each visit
eVisitor (subclass 651)
The eVisitor is for passport holders from the United Kingdom, all European Union member states, and several other European countries.
- apply online through ImmiAccount, free of charge
- valid for 12 months, with multiple entries
- stay up to three months each visit
Visitor visa (subclass 600)
Guests who are not eligible for an ETA or eVisitor can apply for the Visitor visa (subclass 600). This visa also suits guests planning a longer stay, with stays of up to 3, 6 or 12 months possible.
New Zealand citizens
New Zealand citizens with a valid New Zealand passport do not need to apply for a visa before travelling. They are usually granted a Special Category visa (subclass 444) on arrival.
Important for guests
- Visitor visas do not allow guests to work on board. Anyone working on the vessel, paid or unpaid, needs a crew visa.
- Guests flying in to join the vessel in Australia need their visa before they travel.
- Details of every person on board, including guests, must be included in the vessel’s notice of arrival. See Arrival, Border & Biosecurity.
Need help?
Superyacht Australia strongly recommend utilising a local agent familiar with the visa registration process. Find visa and immigration support in the Superyacht Australia member directory, or contact a Superyacht Australia member agent.
For more information on working in the Australian superyacht industry, see Information for Existing Crew.
Last reviewed October 2026. Visa requirements change: always confirm with the Department of Home Affairs or a local superyacht agent.
