How to Get a Bali Tourist Visa for Australians

Australians and Kiwis heading to Bali need a Visa on Arrival (VoA) or an e-VoA to enter Indonesia for tourism purposes. The visa costs IDR 500,000 (roughly $50 AUD), is valid for 30 days, and can be purchased either at the airport upon arrival or online through the official immigration portal before you depart. To skip the long queues at Denpasar, applying for an e-VoA online is highly recommended.

Bali Visa Basics for Australians

For decades, Bali has been the go-to escape for Australians seeking sun, surf, and cheap Bintangs. While the days of visa-free entry are currently on pause, the process for getting your entry permit is relatively straightforward. There are two main ways to handle your entry: the old-school physical Visa on Arrival (VoA) and the modern Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA).

Both versions cost the same—IDR 500,000—and both grant you 30 days in the country. If you find yourself falling in love with the island and want to stay longer, you can extend this visa once for an additional 30 days, giving you a total of 60 days.

Before you even think about booking your flight, check your passport. Indonesian immigration is notoriously strict about the 'six-month rule.' Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive. If it has five months and 29 days left, you will likely be denied boarding at Sydney or Auckland airport. Also, ensure you have at least one completely blank page for the visa sticker or stamp.

Step-by-Step: Getting Your e-VoA Online

While you can still queue up at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) to pay for your visa, why would you? After a six-hour flight from Melbourne or a long haul from Perth, the last thing you want is to stand in a humid line for an hour while your mates who did their admin beforehand are already through the e-gates and headed to the luggage carousel.

To get your e-VoA, head to the official Indonesian Immigration website (molina.imigrasi.go.id). Be careful—there are dozens of 'agent' websites that look official but charge double or triple the price.

1. Create an Account: You will need to upload a photo of your passport's bio-data page and a recent passport-style photo of yourself.
2. Fill in the Details: Enter your flight number, the address of your first hotel or villa in Bali, and your personal info.
3. Pay the Fee: You can pay using a credit or debit card. There is a small processing fee for online transactions.
4. Download the PDF: Once approved, you will receive your e-VoA via email. Print a copy and keep a digital version on your phone.

When you land, look for the 'e-VoA' or 'E-Gate' lanes. You simply scan your passport, and you are through. It is a game-changer for frequent Bali travelers.

The New Bali Tourist Levy

As of February 2024, there is an extra step for everyone entering Bali. In addition to your visa, you must pay the 'Bali Tourist Levy.' This is a separate IDR 150,000 (about $15 AUD) fee designed to help preserve the island's culture and environment.

You are encouraged to pay this online before arrival through the 'Love Bali' portal. You will receive a QR code that might be checked at various points during your trip. While separate from the visa process, it is just as essential for a smooth entry.

Staying Connected: Why an eSIM Beats Roaming

Once you have cleared immigration and grabbed your bags, your next priority is getting online. You will need data for Gojek or Grab (the Uber of Southeast Asia), Google Maps to navigate the chaotic streets of Canggu, and WhatsApp to message your villa host.

You have three choices: pay your home carrier’s extortionate roaming fees, hunt for a physical SIM card at the airport, or use an AussieRoam eSIM.

If you stay on your Australian SIM, you are likely looking at $5 to $10 per day just to access your home data. Over a two-week trip, that is $140 just for the privilege of using your own phone. You can read more about why this is a bad deal in our guide to Optus International Roaming: How to Avoid Data Bill Shock.

Buying a physical SIM at Denpasar airport involves standing in another queue, handing over your passport to be photographed, and waiting for the staff to register your phone's IMEI with the Indonesian government. It is a slow, bureaucratic process that eats into your holiday time.

Instead, you can see plans from AussieRoam and install your eSIM before you even leave home. You can set it up at the airport in Sydney, Brisbane, or Auckland, and the moment your plane touches down in Bali, you will have a 5G connection ready to go.

AussieRoam vs. Home Roaming

Feature	AussieRoam eSIM	Telstra/Optus Roaming
Cost	One-off affordable plans	$5 - $10 per day
Network	Telkomsel (5G), XL, Indosat	Roaming partner (often throttled)
Setup	2 minutes via QR code	Automatic (and expensive)
Local Number	No (Data Only)	Yes (Your home number)
WhatsApp	Works perfectly	Works perfectly

Coverage Realities: From Uluwatu to the Gilis

In Bali, not all networks are created equal. Telkomsel is the undisputed king of coverage. Whether you are trekking through the rice terraces in Ubud or surfing at Uluwatu, Telkomsel generally offers the most stable signal. AussieRoam plans utilize Telkomsel’s 5G and 4G networks, alongside XL and Indosat, ensuring you stay connected even when you head off the beaten path.

If you are planning to head over to the Gili Islands or Nusa Penida, coverage can get a bit spotty. In these more rural areas, having access to multiple local networks is a huge advantage. Our eSIMs are data-only, which is perfect because almost every business in Bali—from high-end beach clubs to tiny local warungs—communicates via WhatsApp. You do not need a local phone number to make a dinner reservation or book a massage; just use your data.

Setting Up Your Bali eSIM

Getting your data sorted is easier than ordering a Nasi Goreng. First, make sure you check if your phone is ready for eSIM technology. Most iPhones from the XR onwards and modern Samsung/Google Pixel phones are good to go.

Once you have picked your plan, follow our installation guide to get set up.

For iPhone users:

1. Go to Settings > Mobile > Add eSIM.
2. Scan the QR code provided by AussieRoam.
3. Label the new plan 'Bali' or 'Travel'.
4. Set 'Mobile Data' to use the AussieRoam eSIM, but keep your 'Default Voice Line' as your primary Australian SIM (just make sure Data Roaming is turned OFF for your Australian SIM to avoid charges).

For Android users:

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Add SIM.
2. Select 'Download a SIM instead' and scan the QR code.
3. Ensure 'Mobile Data' is toggled to the new eSIM once you land.

If you are planning a longer stint in the region, perhaps heading to the UK or Europe after your tropical break, you might want to check out our How to Travel Europe on a Budget: Tips for Kiwis guide. We have regional plans that cover you across multiple borders so you don't have to swap SIMs every time you change countries.

Choosing the Right Data Plan

How much data do you actually need? If you are just using it for the occasional Google Map search and sending photos to the family group chat, a 3GB or 5GB plan for 15-30 days is usually plenty. However, if you are a digital nomad working from a cafe in Canggu or you plan on streaming Netflix during a rainy afternoon in Ubud, you should see plans with 20GB or 50GB of data.

We also offer daily passes if you prefer a 'set and forget' approach with a daily data allowance. The best part is that you can top up your plan at any time through our website if you run low, meaning you will never be stranded without a way to call a Gojek.

The bottom line

Getting into Bali is easy for Australians as long as you have your six months of passport validity and your IDR 500,000 ready for the visa. Skip the airport stress by applying for your e-VoA and paying the tourist levy online before you fly. Most importantly, don't let your home telco ruin your holiday vibes with a massive roaming bill. Grab an AussieRoam eSIM, install it before you board, and land in paradise with 5G data ready to go.