Australia

Offender registers are run by the states and territories under their own laws. Anyone with a sexually based offence involving a child fails the character test (Migration Act s. 501). The Minister can still grant a visa in some cases.

Full profile · Last verified: September 29, 2026 · All countries

Each statement is labelled Law (statute, regulation or court ruling), Policy (official guidance) or Reported practice (what officials report doing). Items marked Recheck could not be fully confirmed from a primary source.

The country's own registry

Law Child protection offender registers are kept under state and territory laws, for example the Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act 2000 (NSW). There is no general public register.
Source: Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act 2000 (NSW)

Entry and admissibility

Law Every visa applicant must pass the character test in s. 501(6) of the Migration Act. A person with a substantial criminal record (s. 501(7)) fails it.
Source: Department of Home Affairs: Character requirements; Migration Act 1958, s. 501 (AustLII); Migration Act 1958 (Cth), Federal Register of Legislation
Law A person convicted of any sexually based offence involving a person under 18 fails the character test.
Source: Department of Home Affairs: Character requirements
Policy Even when the test is failed, the Minister may still grant a visa. Decision-makers follow Ministerial Direction 110.
Source: Department of Home Affairs: Character requirements
Policy Applicants must declare all convictions.
Source: Department of Home Affairs: Character requirements

Visa / travel authorisation

Policy The Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) allows stays of up to 3 months and has an AUD 20 service fee. Home Affairs says anyone with a criminal conviction in any country should apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) instead.
Source: Department of Home Affairs: Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)

Registration or reporting after arrival

Law Registration after arrival is governed by state and territory law. Whether a foreign conviction alone triggers registration was not verified for this guide.
Source: Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act 2000 (NSW)
Recheck: The NSW legislation site blocked automated access; check state rules on foreign convictions.

Residency, employment and housing

Law The character test applies to visa applications generally, including work and permanent visas.
Source: Department of Home Affairs: Character requirements
Finding No published rule found as of September 29, 2026. No national housing restriction tied to a foreign conviction was found.

Removal, rehabilitation or waivers

Law A visa must be cancelled if the holder is serving a full-time prison sentence and has a sentence of 12 months or more, or has been convicted of a sexually based child offence by an Australian or foreign court. The person has 28 days to ask for revocation.
Source: Department of Home Affairs: Character requirements

What U.S. rules still apply

Law U.S. law still applies to the trip itself: registrants must report international travel at least 21 days in advance, and the U.S. may notify the destination country before arrival. See the U.S. travel guide for the notice rule, the passport identifier and how notifications work.
Source: ComplianceAtlas: Traveling Abroad as a U.S. Registrant

Read Traveling Abroad as a U.S. Registrant before booking.

Sources

Legal Disclaimer

International laws, immigration policies, and registry requirements change frequently and may vary depending on citizenship, visa type, offense history, and purpose of travel. Entry decisions are made solely by each country's immigration authorities. Always verify current requirements using official government sources before traveling. This page is not legal advice.