How much does an ESTA cost for Australians in 2026?

The fee has been US$40 since 30 September 2025, up from US$21. Part of it is adjusted for inflation each year, so the payment screen can show slightly more than US$40. Apply only on CBP's official ESTA website.

How long is an ESTA valid for Australians?

CBP says approvals are typically granted for two years or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner. Each visit can last up to 90 days. If you get a new passport, you need to apply again.

Do I need an ESTA to transit through the US?

Yes. CBP says eligible Visa Waiver travellers passing through the US need an ESTA or a visa. When you apply, you enter that you are in transit and give your final destination. This applies even if you stay in the terminal.

Is social media history mandatory for an ESTA now?

Not as far as we could confirm. CBP proposed it in December 2025, but a spokesperson said the changes were not final, and later reporting suggested a more targeted approach. Check CBP's ESTA site for the current form before you apply.

Does an approved ESTA guarantee entry to the US?

No. It only authorises you to travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Program. A CBP officer decides admission when you arrive, so keep your answers honest and your travel documents to hand.

AU → US · ESTA

ESTA for Australians: fee, rules and what is changing

The ESTA is cheap next to a business class fare, and it is the thing most likely to stop you at the check-in desk. Here is what it costs, what it covers and what has not changed yet.

Kaviqa26 October 20265 min read

What the ESTA is

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization is an online approval that Australians and New Zealanders, as Visa Waiver Program travellers, get instead of a visa for short US trips. It covers tourism and business visits of up to 90 days. It does not decide whether you are admitted. A US Customs and Border Protection officer decides that when you arrive, and an approved ESTA does not guarantee entry.

What it does decide is whether you can get on the plane. CBP says carriers can deny boarding to a Visa Waiver traveller without an approved ESTA. For a business class passenger that is the worst version of the problem: a fare you probably paid a lot for, and a seat that leaves without you.

Fee and validity

Question	Answer
Fee	US$40 since 30 September 2025, up from US$21. Part of the fee is indexed to inflation, so expect the amount at payment to be slightly above US$40
Validity	Usually two years, or until the passport expires if that comes first
Stay per entry	Up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program
Passport	An e-passport, the type with a chip and the symbol on the cover
Where to apply	CBP's official ESTA site only, esta.cbp.dhs.gov
New passport	Needs a new ESTA, and so can a change to your personal details

ESTA at a glance, as of October 2026

The fee is made up of several parts. The 2025 increase came from a US budget law, and CBP's notice split the US$40 into US$17, an amount of at least US$10 and a new US$13 component. The fee has since been indexed upward in small steps: a November 2025 notice from the Department of Homeland Security listed US$40.27 for US fiscal year 2026, and some immigration sites report about US$40.62 from mid-October 2026, which we have not confirmed from the notice itself. The payment screen shows the exact figure, which is the only number that matters when you apply.

If you already hold a valid ESTA you do not need to reapply, but you will pay the new fee when you renew. Applying early costs nothing extra, and CBP suggests applying as soon as you start planning your trip. We would apply when you book, and well before you fly, because validity runs for two years and the cost is essentially the same whenever you do it.

Connecting through the US

This catches people who think of the US as a stopover rather than a destination. CBP says an eligible Visa Waiver traveller passing through the US needs an ESTA or a visa, and tells transit travellers to enter that they are in transit, with their final destination, when they apply. A Sydney to Los Angeles to Mexico City itinerary needs one, even if you never leave the terminal.

It matters more on split tickets. If your US connection is two separate tickets, you collect your bags, clear US immigration and check in again, so the entry rules apply in full. We cover the trade-offs of that structure in business class from Australia to the USA and the Los Angeles route in our Sydney to Los Angeles guide.

What is proposed, and what is not final

In December 2025 CBP published a notice proposing several changes to the ESTA application. The headline item was making social media history, covering the previous five years, a mandatory field. The same notice floated extra personal data fields, a separate face photo, and eventually making the ESTA mobile app the only way to apply. Public comment closed in early February 2026.

If it does go ahead in some form, the practical effect is a longer application and a higher chance of being asked for more. That is one more reason to apply well before you fly.

Common mistakes

Using an unofficial site. Lookalike services charge extra for the same form. The official site is esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
Forgetting the connection. A US stopover counts, so book the ESTA even when the destination is somewhere else.
Travelling on a new passport with an old ESTA. The approval is tied to the passport. A renewed one needs a fresh application.
Assuming an approved ESTA means you will be let in. The officer at the border decides, and honest answers matter.
Planning a stay over 90 days. The Visa Waiver Program does not cover it. That needs a visa.

This is information, not legal or immigration advice. CBP and the US Embassy in Australia are the authorities, and Smartraveller carries the Australian government's travel advice. If your trip involves study, work or a long stay, ask them rather than relying on a guide.

Common questions

How much does an ESTA cost for Australians in 2026?: The fee has been US$40 since 30 September 2025, up from US$21. Part of it is adjusted for inflation each year, so the payment screen can show slightly more than US$40. Apply only on CBP's official ESTA website.
How long is an ESTA valid for Australians?: CBP says approvals are typically granted for two years or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner. Each visit can last up to 90 days. If you get a new passport, you need to apply again.
Do I need an ESTA to transit through the US?: Yes. CBP says eligible Visa Waiver travellers passing through the US need an ESTA or a visa. When you apply, you enter that you are in transit and give your final destination. This applies even if you stay in the terminal.
Is social media history mandatory for an ESTA now?: Not as far as we could confirm. CBP proposed it in December 2025, but a spokesperson said the changes were not final, and later reporting suggested a more targeted approach. Check CBP's ESTA site for the current form before you apply.
Does an approved ESTA guarantee entry to the US?: No. It only authorises you to travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Program. A CBP officer decides admission when you arrive, so keep your answers honest and your travel documents to hand.