Australia visa for US citizens: What do you need to apply?

Do US citizens need a visa for Australia?

Yes, it's necessary to get an Australia visa for US citizens before starting the trip. The only two countries exempt from this part of the entry requirements for Australia are New Zealand and certain cities of Papua New Guinea.  

The Australia visa for US citizens is called the Australia ETA (Tourist Visa Australia). This visa is valid for up to 1 year and it allows multiple entries to the country, but the maximum continuous stay allowed is of 90 days. It has a cost of 12 euros or 13,15 USD.

Australia visa requirements for US citizens

The Australia visa requirements for US citizens are:

• A passport with a minimum validity of 6 months at the time of entry to the country
• Not being in debt with the Australian government
• Not having a criminal record or a past arrest
• Following the Australian health requirements, such as having been vaccinated against certain diseases.
• Filling the Australian visa application (ETA Australia) with your personal data. Don’t lie or omit relevant information when completing the application or it will most likely be denied. 

How long does it take to get a visa for Australia from USA?

The tourist visa of Australia is one of the fastest to be approved. If you completed the application correctly, you could receive the approved ETA or Australia visa for US citizens in your email within 48-72 hours. 

However, in case there’s a mistake or you are asked for additional information, you should send your Australia visa for US citizens application at least 10 working days in advance. Other kinds of visas can take up to several months to be approved, you should contact the embassy directly in this case.

Where is the US Embassy in Australia?

U.S. Embassy in Canberra

Address: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600

Telephone: (02) 6214-5600

Email: [email protected]

U.S. Consulate in Melbourne

Address: 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004

Telephone: (03) 9526-5900

Fax: (03) 9510-4646

U.S. Consulate General Perth

Address: 4th Floor, 16 St. George’s Terrace, Perth, WA 6000

Telephone: (08) 6144-5100, 8:30am - 4:30pm

U.S. Consulate General Sydney

Address: Level 10, MLC Centre, 19-29 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW 2000

Where is the Australian Embassy in the United States?

Embassy of Australia in Washington D.C.

Address: 1145 17th St NW, Washington DC, 20036-4707

Telephone: +1 (202) 797 3000

Fax: +1 (202) 797 3168

Australian Consulate-General New York

Address: 150 E 42nd St (34th Floor), New York, NY, 10017

Telephone: +1 (212) 351 6500

Fax: +1 (212) 351 6501

Australian Consulate-General Los Angeles

Address: Australian Consulate-General, 2029 Century Park East, Suite 3150 Los Angeles, CA, 90067

Telephone: +1 (310) 229 2300

Fax: +1 (310) 229 2380

Email: [email protected]

Australian Consulate-General Chicago

Address: Australian Consulate-General, 123 North Wacker Drive, Suite 1330, Chicago, IL, 60606

Telephone: +1 (312) 419-1480

Fax: +1 (312) 419 1499

Australian Consulate-General San Francisco

Address: Australian Consulate-General, 575 Market Street, Suite 1800, San Francisco, CA, 94105

Telephone: +1 (415) 644 3620

Fax: +1 (415) 536 1982

Australian Consulate-General Honolulu

Address: Australian Consulate-General, 1000 Bishop Street, Penthouse, Honolulu, HI, 96813

Telephone: +1 (808) 529 8100

Fax: +1 (808) 529 8142

Australian Consulate-General Houston

Address: Australian Consulate-General, 3009 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 1310, Houston, TX, 77056

Telephone: +1 (832) 962 8420

Fax: +1 (832) 831 2022

Are vaccines required to travel to Australia from the United States?

There are no mandatory vaccines required to travel to Australia from the US. 

Since the United States has not had a Yellow Fever outbreak since 1905, its citizens don’t need to provide proof of vaccination against the disease. 

What is the time difference between Australia and the US?

Both Australia and the US have several time zones, so the time difference will vary depending where you're coming from and where you’re going to. Australia has 3 time zones and the US, 6.

Australian time zones

• Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): UTC +10
• Australian Central Standard Time (ACST): UTC +9.5
• Australian Western Standard Time (AWST): UTC +8

Time zones of the United States from West to East

• Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HAST): UTC-10
• Alaska Standard Time (AST): UTC-9
• Pacific Standard Time (PST): UTC-8
• Mountain Standard Time (MST): UTC-7
• Central Standard Time (CST): UTC-6
• Eastern Standard Time (EST): UTC-5

What is the Australian currency and the exchange rate to American dollars?

The official Australia currency is the Australian dollar. 1 Australian dollar is equivalent to approximately 0.77 US dollars.

The cost of living in Australia tends to be higher than in the US. However, the salaries are also higher. 

You can exchange currencies in banks, hotels and international airports. Payment with credit card is very extended throughout the country, although you should carry cash with you when you visit more secluded places.  

Are there direct flights from the United States to Australia?

Yes! You can fly directly to Australia from the West Coast or Texas with United, American Airlines, Delta and Qantas. It’s approximately a 14 or 15 hours flight. 

If you’re travelling from another city in the US, chances are you will have to make a layover somewhere like Los Angeles or San Francisco.