4957397803765The United States offers an almost incomprehensible range of travel experiences — from the neon intensity of Las Vegas and the cultural depth of New York City, to the volcanic landscapes of Hawaii, the canyon country of the American Southwest, and the wild coastlines of California. For Australian travellers, visiting the USA does not require a traditional visa for short stays, but it does require an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This guide covers what ESTA is, who needs it, how to apply, and what to expect when you arrive.

ESTA stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It is an automated pre-screening system that determines whether travellers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries — including Australia — are eligible to enter the United States for short stays without a traditional visa. ESTA is not a visa, but it functions as mandatory pre-approval for VWP travellers. Without a valid ESTA, you will not be permitted to board a flight to the USA and may be refused entry at the border.

ESTA covers stays of up to 90 days for tourism, business, or transit. It does not permit paid work, long-term study, or activities requiring a US visa.

Compare flights from Australia to Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), Honolulu (HNL), and other major US gateways.

You need an ESTA if:

You do NOT need ESTA if you already hold a valid US visa (such as a B1/B2 visitor visa). In that case, use your visa instead.

An approved ESTA is valid for 2 years from the date of approval, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. During those 2 years, you can make multiple trips to the USA without reapplying, as long as each individual stay does not exceed 90 days. Once your ESTA expires, you need to apply for a new one before your next US trip.

You must obtain a new ESTA if any of the following apply:

The USA has experiences to suit every kind of traveller. Browse things to do across America — from the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Disneyland in Los Angeles to guided tours of the Grand Canyon, New York City helicopter flights, and Yellowstone National Park adventures.

Traveloka is Southeast Asia's leading travel aplikasi and a convenient platform for booking your American adventure from Australia. Compare flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Honolulu across major airlines, browse hotels across the USA from budget-friendly options to luxury city-centre stays, and pre-book things to do before you land. Check deals on Traveloka for the best value on US travel, and download the Traveloka aplikasi to manage your entire trip in one place.