Bali Travel Checklist for Australians: What to Do Before You Fly
Most of our guests travel to Bali from Australia, and the questions we receive before they fly are usually very practical. Do I need a visa? Which arrival form do I complete? Do I need to pay the Bali tourist levy? What should I pack, and what is easier to organise once I arrive?
None of it is particularly difficult, but the entry process has changed several times over the past few years. If you haven’t been to Bali recently, some of the advice you remember from your last trip may no longer apply.
I’ve put this checklist together in the order I’d work through it before leaving Australia. Get the paperwork sorted first, then you can concentrate on the more enjoyable parts of planning your holiday.
Key Takeaways
- Check that your passport meets Indonesia’s current entry requirements before booking your trip.
- Australians travelling to Bali for a holiday will normally need an appropriate visitor visa or Visa on Arrival.
- Complete the All Indonesia arrival declaration before travelling rather than using the old separate customs declaration.
- International visitors to Bali are required to pay the IDR 150,000 Bali tourist levy, unless they qualify for an exemption.
- Keep copies of your visa, arrival declaration, tourist levy receipt, accommodation details and return or onward flight information somewhere you can access easily.
- Confirm your accommodation and airport transfer before leaving Australia, particularly if you’re arriving late at night.
1. Check Your Passport Before You Book Anything
Your passport is the first thing I’d check, especially if you haven’t travelled internationally for a while.
For most Australian tourists entering Indonesia, your passport needs to be valid for at least six months from your date of arrival. Don’t leave that check until a few days before departure. If you’re anywhere near the limit, sort it out before committing to flights and accommodation.
I’d also check the physical condition of the passport. A damaged passport can cause problems at immigration, even when the expiry date is fine. Australia’s Smartraveller guidance recommends making sure your passport meets Indonesia’s entry requirements and is in good condition before travelling.
Keep a digital copy of the photo page somewhere secure as well. I wouldn’t rely on having every important travel document accessible only through one phone. If the phone is lost, damaged or out of battery when you need something, having a backup makes life considerably easier.
2. Sort Out Your Bali Visa
Australian passport holders need the appropriate visa to enter Indonesia, and for an ordinary Bali holiday the Visa on Arrival (VoA) or its electronic equivalent, the e-VoA, is the option many Australian visitors use.
The e-VoA can be arranged online before you leave Australia, which means one less thing to organise after landing. A VoA can also be obtained on arrival if you’re eligible.
Before applying, check the current conditions through Indonesia’s official immigration information rather than relying on an old travel blog or social-media post. Visa rules can change, and the correct visa also depends on why you’re travelling. A normal holiday is different from travelling to Indonesia to work, conduct business or undertake other activities.
I’d personally get as much of the arrival paperwork sorted before flying as possible. After a flight from Australia, I’d rather be heading through the airport towards the villa than standing there trying to work out which form or payment I still need to complete.
3. Complete the All Indonesia Arrival Declaration
If you haven’t visited Bali recently, this is one of the biggest changes to be aware of.
International passengers arriving in Bali now complete their arrival declaration through All Indonesia. It combines information that was previously handled through separate immigration, customs, health and quarantine forms. The old advice about completing a separate Electronic Customs Declaration is therefore no longer current.
You can complete All Indonesia from three days before you arrive in Indonesia, and there is no fee for submitting the declaration. I would do it before leaving Australia rather than waiting until you’ve landed, then keep the confirmation somewhere easy to access on your phone.
One thing I’d be particularly careful about is using the official Indonesian government service. There are third-party travel websites that can look more official than they really are, so don’t pay someone simply to submit a free arrival declaration for you.
4. Pay the Bali Tourist Levy
International tourists visiting Bali are required to pay a IDR 150,000 tourist levy per person, unless they fall within one of the exemption categories.
The Bali Government recommends paying the levy online before travelling. Once payment is completed, you’ll receive a levy voucher with a QR code by email, so save that somewhere accessible alongside your other travel documents.
I wouldn’t convert the levy into Australian dollars when planning your trip because the exchange rate changes. Just remember the official amount is IDR 150,000 per person.
The levy is separate from your Indonesian visa and your All Indonesia arrival declaration. That’s worth knowing because these different requirements are easy to lump together when you’re preparing for a Bali trip.
5. Confirm Your Accommodation and Airport Transfer
Once the paperwork is sorted, make sure you know exactly what is happening when you land.
Keep the name and address of your accommodation somewhere you can access without relying on mobile data. If you’ve arranged an airport transfer, check where you’ll meet your driver and give the accommodation or transfer provider your actual flight number, not just your expected arrival time.
Flight numbers are particularly useful because arrival times change. If your flight from Australia is delayed, whoever is collecting you can follow the flight rather than wondering why you haven’t appeared.
For guests staying with us, having these details beforehand makes the arrival much easier. I’d also let your accommodation know about anything that needs preparing in advance, such as dietary requirements, a cot or highchair, or a special occasion.
6. What to Pack for Bali From Australia
You don’t need to pack for Bali as though you’re going somewhere remote. In Seminyak, you can easily buy toiletries, clothing and most everyday items you’ve forgotten.
For most holidays, I’d concentrate on a fairly short list of essentials:
- Lightweight clothing and swimwear
- Comfortable footwear
- Clothing that covers your shoulders and knees for temple visits
- High-SPF sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Prescription medication and any required documentation
- Phone and chargers
- A Type C/F two-round-pin power adapter
- Hat and sunglasses
- Copies of important travel documents
Australian plugs don’t fit Indonesian sockets, although normal Australian electronics generally don’t require a separate voltage converter.
If you take prescription medication, check before travelling that you are allowed to bring it into Indonesia. Some medicines that are available legally in Australia may be restricted in Indonesia, so don’t assume an Australian prescription automatically means you can travel with them.
Beyond the essentials, I’d pack reasonably lightly. Bali is an easy place to buy most things, and you’ll probably appreciate having some room left in your suitcase on the way home.
7. Sort Out Your Money, Phone and Travel Insurance
I wouldn’t arrive in Bali relying on one bank card as your only way to pay. Bring at least two ways of accessing money and keep them separately. Cards are widely accepted around Seminyak, but cash is still useful for smaller purchases.
You don’t need to arrive carrying a large amount of Indonesian rupiah. We’ve covered exchanging money, ATM use and card payments in more detail in our guide to money, ATMs, cash and cards in Bali.
Before leaving Australia, also decide how you’re going to use your phone. International roaming, an eSIM and a local SIM can all work; the important thing is knowing what you’re doing before you land. Having data immediately makes it much easier to contact your driver or accommodation if plans change.
Finally, arrange suitable travel insurance and check what it actually covers. This is particularly important if you’re planning activities such as surfing, diving or riding a scooter, as you shouldn’t assume every activity is automatically included in a standard policy.
8. What I’d Arrange With Your Villa Before Leaving Australia
From the villa side, there are a few pieces of information that make a surprisingly big difference.
The first is your flight number. If we’re arranging an airport transfer, that is much more useful than simply being told you’ll arrive at 4 pm. Flights get delayed, and having the correct number means your arrival can be followed.
I’d also tell the villa in advance if you need anything prepared. That could include:
- A cot or highchair for a baby
- Dietary requirements
- Breakfast arrangements
- A special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary
- Anything affecting mobility or accessibility
- A particularly late arrival
Don’t wait until you’re standing at the villa to mention something that could have been organised beforehand.
I’d also keep your first evening fairly simple. By the time you’ve flown from Australia, gone through the airport and driven to Seminyak, you may not feel like immediately starting an itinerary. Get settled, have something to eat and start exploring properly the next day.
9. Your Final 48-Hour Bali Checklist
A day or two before departure, I’d run through everything one final time:
| Before You Leave Australia | Check |
|---|---|
| Passport meets Indonesia’s current entry requirements | ☐ |
| Correct visa or e-VoA arranged | ☐ |
| All Indonesia arrival declaration completed when eligible | ☐ |
| Bali tourist levy paid | ☐ |
| Return or onward flight details saved | ☐ |
| Accommodation confirmed | ☐ |
| Airport transfer confirmed | ☐ |
| Travel insurance arranged | ☐ |
| Medication checked and packed | ☐ |
| Bank cards and access to money sorted | ☐ |
| Roaming, eSIM or SIM plan sorted | ☐ |
| Power adapter packed | ☐ |
| Villa has your flight number and any special requests | ☐ |
Entry requirements can change, so I always recommend checking the latest official Indonesian immigration information and Australian Government travel advice shortly before departure.
Once those jobs are ticked off, there’s no need to over-plan everything else. Get the important paperwork and practical arrangements right before leaving Australia, and you can work out plenty of the enjoyable stuff once you’re here.
FAQ
What do Australians need to travel to Bali?
For a typical holiday, you’ll need a passport that meets Indonesia’s entry requirements, the appropriate visa, your All Indonesia arrival declaration and the Bali tourist levy where applicable. You should also have your accommodation details and return or onward travel information available.
Do Australians need a visa for Bali?
Yes. Australian passport holders need an appropriate Indonesian visa. Eligible Australian tourists commonly use a Visa on Arrival (VoA) or electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) for a standard holiday. Check the current Indonesian immigration requirements before travelling.
What should I take to Bali from Australia?
Pack lightweight clothing, swimwear, sunscreen, insect repellent, any permitted medication you need, chargers and a Type C/F power adapter. Bring something suitable for temple visits that covers your shoulders and knees. Most everyday toiletries and forgotten items are easy to buy once you’re in Bali.
What is the All Indonesia arrival declaration?
All Indonesia is the integrated arrival system used by international passengers entering Indonesia. It brings together arrival information that was previously handled through separate processes, including immigration, customs, health and quarantine declarations.
Do Australians have to pay the Bali tourist levy?
International tourists visiting Bali generally need to pay the IDR 150,000 Bali tourist levy per person, unless they qualify for an exemption. It is separate from your visa and All Indonesia arrival declaration.
When should I do my final checks before flying to Bali?
I would check everything again about 48 hours before departure. This gives you time to complete any arrival requirements that only become available shortly before your trip, confirm your transfer and accommodation, and deal with anything you’ve forgotten.
- Welcome Back To My Villas in Bali - November 17, 2021
