USA entry requirements for travellers from Australia
Visa requirement summary
Australian passport holders do not need a US visa for tourism or short business visits. Australia is a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) member, so Australians travel to the United States using ESTA — an online electronic authorisation applied for before departure.
Under the VWP, Australian citizens may stay for up to 90 days per visit.
ESTA — the Electronic System for Travel Authorization
ESTA is not a visa. It is an electronic authorisation that VWP travellers must obtain before boarding a US-bound flight or arriving at a land or sea port of entry. You apply online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov — the only official site. Third-party services that charge more than the government fee are not official.
The fee is $40.27 per person (raised from $21 in September 2025). This breaks down as a $4.00 processing fee charged regardless of outcome, and a $36.27 authorisation fee charged only if approved. Payment is by credit or debit card.
Once approved, your ESTA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During that period you can make multiple trips to the US without reapplying.
Apply at least 72 hours before travel, though earlier is better. Most applications are approved within minutes; a small number are processed over several days. An approved ESTA does not guarantee admission — CBP officers at the port of entry make the final decision.
How long you can stay
Up to 90 days per visit on ESTA. Not extendable. CBP officers may question travellers who make very frequent visits that appear to constitute longer-term residency.
Passport requirements
Your passport must be biometric (chip-equipped). Australian passports have included chips since 2005, so all current Australian passports qualify. Australia has a bilateral agreement with the US that waives the standard six-month beyond-stay passport validity rule — your passport only needs to cover your travel dates.
Proof of funds
No minimum is set, but expect to be asked how you’ll fund your trip. A return ticket and accessible bank funds are practical preparation.
Onward or return travel
A confirmed return or onward flight is expected at check-in and may be asked for by CBP on arrival.
Applying for ESTA
Apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The fee is $40.27. Avoid third-party websites that charge more.
Health requirements
No vaccination requirements for Australians entering the United States.
Other entry requirements
ESTA does not permit employment. Australians who have visited Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, or Venezuela since 2011 — or who hold dual nationality with any of these countries — are not ESTA-eligible and must apply for a B-1/B-2 visa.
Note: Australia has a separate E-3 visa category for Australian nationals seeking to work in the US — this is different from the tourist VWP.
FAQs
Do Australians need a visa for the USA?
No. Australia is a VWP country. Apply for ESTA at esta.cbp.dhs.gov before you travel.
How much does ESTA cost?
$40.27 per person (from September 2025).
How long can I stay on ESTA?
Up to 90 days per visit. This cannot be extended.
What is the E-3 visa?
The E-3 is a work visa available only to Australian nationals. It is separate from the tourist VWP and requires a job offer and employer sponsorship.
Can I work in the USA on ESTA?
No. ESTA is for tourism and short business visits only. The E-3 visa is the route for working in the US as an Australian.