Heading to Bali this year? The entry process has changed a fair bit since your last trip, and a few extra steps now sit between you and that first Bintang on the beach. Nothing here is complicated, but skipping a step can mean a slow queue at Denpasar Airport or, worse, a fine you didn’t need to pay. Here’s exactly what to sort before you fly.
Do Australians Need a Visa for Bali?
Yes. Australians are not on Indonesia’s visa-free list, so you’ll need a Visa on Arrival (VOA), which you can either buy at the airport or apply for online in advance as an e-VOA.
- Cost: IDR 500,000 (roughly AUD 50)
- Valid for: 30 days, single entry
- Extendable: Once, for a further 30 days, via an Indonesian immigration office
Applying for the e-VOA online before you fly means you skip the in-person counter and can use the faster autogates instead worth doing the night before your flight rather than queuing at arrivals.
The Bali Tourism Levy
Since 2024, every international visitor pays a one-off Bali Tourism Levy of IDR 150,000 (about AUD 15). This goes toward environmental and cultural preservation projects on the island.
- Pay online in advance at the official Love Bali portal, or at counters on arrival
- You’ll receive a QR code save it to your phone or print it, as it can be checked at accommodation or attractions, not just the airport
The All-Indonesia e-Arrival Card
This is the one step that trips people up. Indonesia has consolidated its old customs and health forms into a single digital form called the All Indonesia e-Arrival Card.
- Complete it online within 3 days before you land
- It covers customs and health declarations in one go no more separate paper forms on the plane
- You’ll get a QR code to scan after collecting your luggage
Passport and Onward Travel Checklist
Before you even book flights, double check:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date, with a couple of blank pages
- A confirmed return or onward ticket departing within your visa’s 30-day window airline staff often check this before boarding, not just Indonesian immigration
- Proof of accommodation for at least your first few nights
What About the Proposed New Rules?
You may have seen headlines about a stricter regulation requiring proof of funds and detailed itineraries for all tourist visa types. Worth knowing: this is still a draft provincial proposal and is not in effect. It hasn’t been approved by Bali’s regional legislature and would likely need national government sign-off before affecting VOA travellers. Nothing to act on yet, but worth keeping an eye on if you’re planning a trip further down the track.
Quick Pre-Departure Checklist
- Apply for e-VOA online (or budget IDR 500,000 cash/card for arrival)
- Pay the Bali Tourism Levy and save your QR code
- Complete the All Indonesia e-Arrival Card within 3 days of flying
- Check passport has 6+ months validity and blank pages
- Have your return/onward flight confirmation ready to show
- Book your first night’s accommodation before you land
Final Tip
None of these steps take long individually, but stacked together they can eat 20–30 minutes if you’re doing them all at the airport. Sort the e-VOA, levy, and arrival card from your phone the night before you fly, and you’ll likely be through immigration and into a taxi faster than your bag comes out on the carousel.
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