Australia transit visa (subclass 771)

Every non-citizen needs a visa or permission to enter Australia, even for a short stop without leaving the airport. Citizens of a listed group of countries may transit without a visa if they arrive by air, fly out to a third country within 8 hours, hold the documents for the destination and do not need to clear immigration. Everyone else needs the Transit visa.

Someone who already holds another valid Australian visa that permits transit may not need a 771. Note that being granted a transit visa ends most other Australian visas you hold.

You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided, hold a confirmed booking to another country within 72 hours of arrival, and have the documents to enter that country. You must also meet the health, character and biometrics requirements, repay any debt to the Australian Government, and acknowledge the Australian Values Statement if you are 18 or older. Adequate health cover can be made a condition of the grant.

The 771 is applied for online in ImmiAccount. Upload your passport, the confirmed onward ticket and the visa or residence permit for your final destination if one is needed. There is no charge. The visa cannot be extended; a longer stay needs a different visa.

You must leave Australia within 72 hours. Holders of a Maritime Crew visa (subclass 988) who fly in to join a ship have 5 days from arrival to sign on; otherwise their crew visa ceases. A new transit visa is needed for each such entry by air.