Before you even start planning your trip, you need to do your paperwork
. This can be the most time consuming part in planning your travel, simply because of the application approval process. You will want to have all the required documents in your hands before you buy your plane ticket or book any hotels. This will save you in the event that you do not get approved in time to leave for your trip. Most documents are easy to obtain online. Simply print them out, complete them and mail them to the appropriate office. (This address will usually be found on the website you printed your forms from).
First get a passport. If you are Canadian you can go onto the Canadian Passport Office Website and print off the application. If you are American go to the U.S. State Department's Passport Services website to print the application. To get your passport you will need proof of citizenship (birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or certificate of citizenship) and two professional photographs.
The other document you will need to enter Australia is a visa. Australia requires that everyone on the planet (except New Zealand residents) to obtain a visa before entering the country. A tourist visa is free. They are valid for three months and expire one year from the date it was issued.
If you do not have your visa, the airline will not let you on the plane. You must also be able to prove to the Australian customs officials that you will be able to leave the country. Make sure you have your return ticket with you (or a ticket to your next destination). It is a serious offense to overstay your visa. If you are thinking about staying longer, go to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs in Australia.
You can apply for an Australian visa through the Electronic Travel Authority. Go to: http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/
This is the quickest way to apply and the information is stored electronically so you don't get a stamp on your passport. If you want a different visa, you can get yourself a paper application. Go to: http://www.immi.gov.au/