About Global Entry
Global Entry is a United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) program that allows faster immigration and customs clearance for eligible Australians who have been pre-approved when entering the United States.
Benefits of the program include:
- no processing lines
- reduced paperwork
- access to faster entry
- availability at major United States airports
- reduced wait times
- eligibility for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Pre-Check(Opens in a new tab/window).
Global Entry membership is valid for 5 years. This is subject to passing annual Australian background checks during that period. The cost of applying for Global Entry is a one-time, non-refundable USD$120, plus AUD$263.50 (10yrs and over) / AUD$123.50 (9yrs and under).
Global Entry applicants must:
- be an Australian citizen
- have their identity verified
- have zero criminal convictions
- have zero relevant Australian Defence Force (ADF) service offences
- have parental consent if under the age of 18.
The USCBP has strict eligibility criteria as set out on their Global Entry eligibility webpage(Opens in a new tab/window).
All Australian Global Entry applicants must consent to identity verification and AusCheck conducting a background check. This involves information shared by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and where applicable the Australian Defence Force (ADF). All applicants must undergo additional checks and an in-person interview by the United States. The United States is the sole approving authority for the Global Entry program.
Being a member of the Global Entry program does not replace or remove any visa requirements for entry into the United States. You must meet visa requirements set by the United States.
Australia does not have a Global Entry arrangement for entry into Australia for foreign citizens. Some foreign citizens are eligible to use SmartGates when they arrive in Australia. For more information visit SmartGates(Opens in a new tab/window).
Learn more about the United States Global Entry program at USCBP Global Entry(Opens in a new tab/window).
Expanding Global Entry
Australia is processing Global Entry applications in a phased approach. We opened Phase One to the first 1000 eligible applicants. It began on 17 January 2025 and closed on 21 March 2025.
After successful completion of the first phase, the Global Entry program is expanding and is now available to an uncapped number of Australian citizens. Applicants no longer need any prior travel to the United States to apply.
If you submitted an application for Global Entry before 15 December 2025 but have not received an outcome, AusCheck will contact you by email with guidance about how to progress your application.
In addition to the application fee charged by the USCBP, there is now a fee for the Australian component of the background checks. For more information see Cost.
How to apply for Global Entry
For more information see Apply for a Global Entry background check.
Cost
United States Customs and Border Protection – United States Trusted Traveler Programs
- $120 USD non-refundable fee
Department of Home Affairs – AusCheck
- $263.50 AUD for 5 years membership (10 years and over)
- $123.50 AUD for 5 years membership (9 years and under).
All fees are charged one time and per individual.
For more information see Fees for background checks.
If you’re under 18
A parent or guardian may submit an application on behalf of a child (under 18 years old) through the AusCheck applicant portal or by using the paper application form.
Australian background check
AusCheck conducts background checks for all Australian applicants to assess whether they have any Australian criminal convictions or relevant ADF offences. Our checking partners conduct these checks. These are:
- The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) provides AusCheck with a copy of your Australian criminal history; and
- The ADF undertakes a check of relevant offences under the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982.
AusCheck conducts these background checks when you apply for Global Entry and each year for the 5-year period of Global Entry membership.
ACIC criminal history check
To pass the Australian background check, you must have zero criminal convictions.
The ACIC will give AusCheck a copy of your Australian criminal history. Learn more about the information ACIC collects(Opens in a new tab/window).
The criminal history check looks at court convictions for offences in Australia. We treat all findings of guilt as convictions, even if a conviction is not recorded by the court.
We do not consider:
- offences with a finding of ‘not guilty’
- spent convictions, unless an exclusion applies.
Learn more about Auscheck background checks.
ADF service offence history check
To pass the Australian background check, you must have zero relevant ADF offences.
If you are a current or previous serving member of the ADF, your Australian Global Entry background check application will ask for your PMKeyS or ADF service number and dates of service.
The ADF will conduct a check for relevant offences under the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982(Opens in a new tab/window).
The ADF will tell AusCheck if you have any relevant offences. The ADF will not tell AusCheck what those offences are.
After you apply
An Australian background check can take time. For more information see How long background checks take.
AusCheck will tell the USCBP whether you have passed or failed the Australian background check.
The United States will then complete additional checks and an in-person interview to determine final eligibility for your Global Entry.
The United States is the sole approving authority for the Global Entry program.
For information about how the USCBP will process and assess your application visit USCBP Global Entry(Opens in a new tab/window).
Withdrawing your application
You may withdraw your application for an Australian background check at any time either through the applicant portal or by emailing AusCheck@homeaffairs.gov.au.
If you withdraw your consent to conduct an Australian background check, this will also withdraw your application.
AusCheck will tell the USCBP you have withdrawn your consent. You will be removed from the Global Entry application process or from the Global Entry program (if already a member).
Procedural fairness
If AusCheck finds that you have been convicted of a criminal offence or a relevant ADF service offence, AusCheck will:
- send you a copy of the information received to make an assessment
- advise via email or letter what the proposed finding is
- share information about how to correct information if it is not correct.
AusCheck cannot consider the circumstances of convictions or general character.
AusCheck will give checking partners any information you provide if you are disputing your convictions.
Once the background check is complete, AusCheck will advise the USCBP of a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ outcome. Auscheck will not give the USCBP any other details.
Global Entry obligations
Once the USCBP has approved your application for Global Entry, your membership is valid for 5 years. All Global Entry members must undergo annual Australian background checks for the membership period.
AusCheck will contact applicants 30 days before an annual check to ask members to update any changes to circumstances. This includes changes to your:
- contact details (name, email, address)
- criminal history
- citizenship status
- status of ADF service.
Privacy
As part of the Global Entry application process, Australia will collect, use and disclose your personal information as outlined in our Global Entry program privacy notice. We will ask for your consent for identity verification and for AusCheck to conduct the background check.
Contact us
View Auscheck’s email and telephone contacts.