🇲🇾 Malaysia
90 days visa-free, one free digital arrival card.
Malaysia is an easy and underrated stop for Australians — 90 days visa-free, English widely spoken, and a strong stopover option on the way to Europe. The only requirement is the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card, submitted within three days of arrival.
Your Malaysia trip setup
22 things Australians need to sort. Tick them off as you go.
Entry requirements
Visa-freeUp to 90 days View detailsConnectivity
Compare 8 plansFrom $5 Compare eSIMsTravel insurance
Compare 5 policysFrom $19 Compare insuranceMoney & payments
Compare 5 cards0.43% – 0.65% conversion fee Compare cardsAirport transfer
KUL → Kuala LumpurFrom $4 Compare optionsDriving
IDP requiredDrives on the left Compare car hireTravel essentials
Adapter type GTap water: not safe to drink View guideThings to do
Compare 5 experiencesFrom $35 Explore activitiesMalaysia at a glance for Australians
Best time to visit
March – September on the west coast, November – March on the east coast
Malaysia's two coasts have opposite monsoons — check which side you're visiting.
8h 30m from Sydney (direct)
Health & safety
Smartraveller: Exercise a high degree of caution
No reciprocal agreement. Private hospitals in KL and Penang are excellent and reasonably priced by Australian standards, but payment is upfront.
Emergency: 999
Money
Widely accepted in cities, malls and hotels. Hawker centres, markets and small towns are cash.
Everywhere. Most Malaysian banks charge RM 10 – 15 for foreign card withdrawals.
Tipping: Not expected. Hotels and larger restaurants add a 10% service charge plus 8% SST.
Language & culture
Malay (Bahasa Malaysia)
English: Widely spoken
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Australian dollar to Malaysian ringgit
RM2.89 MYR per AUD
Last recorded rate
These are mid-market rates — the rate banks trade at, published by the European Central Bank. It is not what you will be offered. Expect a card or exchange service to take 0.5% to 5% off it, which is exactly what our travel money comparison is for. Past movement doesn't predict future rates, and none of this is financial advice.
View the numbers as a table
Where Australians go in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
Penang
Langkawi
Kota Kinabalu
Malacca
Malaysia FAQs for Australian travellers
Do Australians need a visa for Malaysia?
No. Australian passport holders get 90 days visa-free. You do need to submit the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within three days before you arrive.
Is the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card free?
Yes, at the official imigresen-online.imi.gov.my site. Several paid lookalike sites exist — check the domain before you enter your passport details.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Malaysia?
Yes. Malaysia accepts the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP issued by Australian state motoring clubs, carried alongside your Australian licence.
What adapter do I need for Malaysia?
A Type G adapter — the British three rectangular pin plug. Voltage is 240V, identical to Australia.
Do I get stamped again flying to Borneo?
Yes. Sabah and Sarawak operate their own immigration controls, so keep your passport accessible even on domestic flights within Malaysia.
Watching Malaysia?
We'll email you if the visa, arrival card or entry fee rules change for Australian passport holders travelling to Malaysia.