Australian citizens can now travel to the United States more quickly and conveniently, thanks to a new membership program available to eligible citizens. Despite growing tariff and trade tensions between Australia and the United States, one of its closest allies, Australia has been accepted as one of the United States' 19 Global Entry partners.
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03-30, 2025Australian citizens can voluntarily apply for Global Entry membership, which means travelers can enjoy expedited customs and immigration processing upon arrival in the United States. They are also eligible to participate in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck program. "This means shorter queues for Australian business travelers, so they can spend their time working and building business connections, rather than waiting in line," Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in a statement today.
The program is available to applicants who have been pre-screened by Australian and U.S. authorities and are considered low-risk. Membership is valid for five years, but is subject to annual background checks. In January, during the first phase, only a limited number of Australians were able to apply for the Global Entry program, and that phase has now ended. New legislation passed by the federal government has expanded the program to all Australians, with the second phase beginning in July.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the expansion was "a testament to the closeness and friendship between our two peoples" weeks after the U.S. declined to waive harmful tariffs on Australian steel and aluminum. She credited Australia's Ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, for his efforts in securing Australia's inclusion in the program. "This will make travel easier for eligible Australians and will continue to strengthen the strong commercial ties between Australia and the United States," she said.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection senior official Pete Flores welcomed the decision. "With over a million travelers entering the United States every day, this agreement reflects our two countries' shared commitment to secure and efficient travel." Other Global Entry partner countries include Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Germany, Japan, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
