Which visa should you check?
Home Affairs lists both Hong Kong SAR and British National (Overseas) passports for ETA, but a mainland PRC passport is not on that list. The first Working Holiday 417 age rule also differs between HKSAR and eligible UK passports. Hong Kong residence alone is not the visa test.
An HKSAR or British National (Overseas) passport may fit ETA 601; a PRC passport requires a different visa check. Eligibility depends on your exact circumstances. Home Affairs decides applications.
Explore official visa options · Read the relevant visa page · HKSAR or BN(O) Working Holiday 417 → · Compare short-visit visas →
What else should you know?
The Australian Consulate-General says visa applications are not accepted at its Hong Kong counter; most non-ETA applications use ImmiAccount. If Home Affairs asks for biometrics while you are in Hong Kong, an eligible AUI-numbered letter may allow the Australian Immi App; otherwise follow the current collection-centre instructions.
HKSAR, BN(O) and PRC passports lead to different checks
Home Affairs lists both a Hong Kong SAR passport and a British National (Overseas) passport for the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601). A mainland PRC passport is not on the ETA passport list, even if its holder lives in Hong Kong. Residence, identity-card status and birthplace do not replace the nationality and document type in the passport you will travel on. If you hold two passports, use the details of the passport linked to the Australian visa, disclose all citizenships as asked and check Home Affairs' two-passport guidance before changing travel documents.
For an eligible passport, ETA is a short-visit option for tourism, family visits or permitted business visitor activity. It generally allows multiple entries while valid and a stay of up to three months after each entry; it does not permit employment. Apply outside Australia using the official Australian ETA app, not a consulate counter or an imitation ETA site. If the passport is not ETA-eligible or the trip needs another purpose or stay, use the Home Affairs visa finder and check the relevant Visitor 600 or other visa requirements.
Official ETA passport list and app · Home Affairs dual-citizen travel advice · Visitor 600 guide →
Check the HKSAR or BN(O) age rule before applying
The first Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) is a separate visa for an extended holiday with short-term work. Home Affairs lists Hong Kong SAR passports with an 18–30 inclusive age range and eligible UK passports, including British National (Overseas), with an 18–35 inclusive range. The relevant passport must be valid; the application deadline uses Australian time. Having a Hong Kong residence card or being eligible for an ETA does not establish 417 eligibility. If you hold both HKSAR and BN(O) passports, check which one you will use for the 417 and complete the application with that passport's details.
A first 417 application is made online while outside Australia, and Home Affairs must decide it while you are outside. Check the full first-visa criteria for prior Working Holiday Maker history, funds, health, character and dependent children. A first grant normally allows a 12-month stay starting on first entry, including an entry made while also holding an ETA. Read the written grant and its entry deadline before travelling; do not use a short visit to start the 417 clock unintentionally.
Official first-417 passport and age rules · Compare Working Holiday visas →
The UK specified-work exception depends on the passport used
Home Affairs says UK passport holders, including eligible BN(O) holders, who apply for a second or third 417 on or after 1 July 2024 using their UK passport do not need to meet the usual three- or six-month specified-work requirement. It gives an explicit example of a person whose first 417 used a Hong Kong passport and whose second application uses a BN(O) passport. Previous Working Holiday visas still count; switching passports does not create a fresh first visa. The UK exception is not automatically available when applying with an HKSAR passport, and it does not remove other second- or third-visa requirements. Read the official examples against your own visa history before planning work or travel.
Home Affairs UK passport arrangements and Hong Kong example · Current second-417 rules
Use the visa's online channel and follow any biometrics letter
The Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong says it does not accept visa applications at its counter; most non-ETA visas use ImmiAccount. An eligible ETA uses the official Australian ETA app. A biometrics request is not automatic for every traveller. If Home Affairs requests biometrics while you are in Hong Kong, read your individual letter: an eligible request with a visa lodgement number beginning AUI may use the Australian Immi App. Otherwise follow the letter and current Australian Biometrics Collection Centre instructions. A collection provider does not decide the visa. If you live elsewhere, use the service instructions for your actual location.
Consulate application information · Home Affairs AUI app eligibility · Current overseas collection services
Build a clear, consistent application
For ETA, follow the prompts for that visa. The points below are useful preparation questions, especially if you need to consider Visitor 600; they are not a fixed attachment list for a short-visit visa. For a Working Holiday visa, use its own eligibility and evidence page.
- Passport and identity documents that match your application.
- A simple account of your travel dates, purpose and accommodation.
- Evidence that you can fund the trip, or details of a supporter.
- Relevant work, study, family or residence evidence that explains your circumstances.
- Invitation details if you are visiting someone.
- Clear scans and translations where required.
Home Affairs can request additional evidence, biometrics or health checks. See its document preparation advice and our biometrics guide.
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