Complete Step-by-Step Guide for Australians
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
You hold a valid Australian e-Passport with the microchip symbol on the front cover.
Your trip is strictly for tourism, transit, or short business activities. You cannot work or study on an ESTA.
You have not traveled to designated restricted countries (e.g., Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Syria, North Korea) on or after specified risk-assessment dates.
Step 2: Submit Your Application Online
Go directly to the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ESTA portal (esta.cbp.dhs.gov), however, use the official “ESTA Mobile” app. Avoid third-party websites because charging inflated service fees.
Scan and upload your Australian passport data page.
Enter your personal details, employment details, emergency contact, and U.S. address (hotel or host info; enter “Unknown” if not yet confirmed).
Answer the security and eligibility questions carefully.
Step 3: Pay and Save Authorization
Pay the USD $40.27 fee using a credit card or PayPal.
Save your Application Number to check your status later.
Once approved, however, your ESTA is electronically linked to your passport. Keeping a printed or digital copy of the approval notice because, it is recommended for your records.
ESTA at a glance
- Official website: esta.cbp.dhs.gov (or the official ESTA Mobile app from U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
- Cost: USD $40 per application (the fee rose from $21 on 30 September 2025 and can be adjusted for inflation each year)
- Validity: up to 2 years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first
- Length of stay: up to 90 days per visit
- Purpose: tourism, visiting family and friends, transit, and short business visits such as meetings or conferences
- When to apply: as soon as you start planning, and at least 72 hours before you travel
Documents and information you need
- A valid Australian e-passport (it has the gold chip symbol on the cover)
- An email address you can access while travelling
- A credit or debit card to pay the fee
- Your home address, phone number and employment details
- Contact details of an emergency contact
- Your U.S. address or hotel for the first night (you can enter this later if it is not booked yet)
- Parents’ names, as they appear in official records
What an ESTA does not let you do
An ESTA is only for short visits under the Visa Waiver Program. You cannot use it to:
- Work in the United States, including remote work for a U.S. employer while you are there
- Study for credit at a school, college or university
- Stay longer than 90 days or extend your stay inside the U.S.
- Change to another visa type (for example a student or work visa) while you are in the U.S.
If you plan to do any of these, you need to apply for a U.S. visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate instead.
Who is not eligible for an ESTA
Even if you hold an Australian passport, you will generally need a visa instead of an ESTA if:
- You have travelled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after 1 March 2011, or to Cuba on or after 12 January 2021 (limited exceptions apply for official, military and some humanitarian travel)
- You are also a national of Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan or Syria
- You have previously been refused an ESTA or a U.S. visa, or overstayed a previous visit
- You have certain criminal convictions, including some old or minor offences – answer the eligibility questions honestly, as a false answer can lead to a permanent ban
How long does approval take?
Most applications receive a decision within minutes, but some are held for review for up to 72 hours. Your application will show one of three results:
- Authorization Approved – you can travel. Save or print the approval page for your records.
- Authorization Pending – your application is under review. Check back within 72 hours.
- Travel Not Authorized – you cannot use the Visa Waiver Program and need to apply for a visitor visa (B-1/B-2) at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a third-party website. Many sites look official but charge $80–$150 for the same application. The official fee is $40 and the only official websites are esta.cbp.dhs.gov and the ESTA Mobile app.
- Typing the wrong passport number. Check every digit. Your ESTA is linked to one passport, and a mistake means you will be refused boarding and have to apply again.
- Forgetting to reapply with a new passport. If you renew your passport, your old ESTA is no longer valid.
- Leaving it to the last minute. Apply at least 72 hours before departure in case your application is pending.
- Assuming ESTA guarantees entry. The final decision is made by the CBP officer at the U.S. border, so carry your return ticket and accommodation details.
Recent and proposed changes
In late 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection proposed changes to the ESTA application, including collecting more social media and contact information. Rules can change at short notice, so always read the questions on the official ESTA website carefully when you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Do children need their own ESTA?
Yes. Every traveller, including babies and children, needs their own approved ESTA and passport.
Do I need an ESTA to transit through the U.S.?
Yes. Even if you are only changing planes in a U.S. airport, you need an approved ESTA or a visa.
Can I check whether my ESTA is still valid?
Yes. Go to the official ESTA website, choose “Check ESTA status”, and enter your passport number, date of birth and passport expiry date.
Can I use my ESTA to visit Canada or Mexico?
No. An ESTA is only for the United States. Canada needs its own Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for air travel. Also note that time spent in Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean after entering the U.S. counts towards your 90 days.
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