Australia Will Join US Airport Trusted Traveler Security Screening Programs

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she wants the country to be part of the U.S. Global Entry and TSA PreCheck programs.

About 1,000 Australian citizens will be eligible to join by the end of the year with plans to expand in 2025. The programs allow pre-approved passengers to more easily pass through security at American airports.

This will be rolled out in two phases. The first involves those initial 1,000 applicants, who must be able to show that they have traveled to the U.S. at least five times in the previous 12 months. The second phase lifts those restrictions and Australian citizens do not have to be frequent travelers to apply.

Being approved for the program will allow some Australians to skip lengthy security lines and go straight to a kiosk.

Getting approved for the Global Entry program allows people to also join the TSA PreCheck program. The process will obviously start in Australia, but the final decision will be made by the U.S.

“It’s good for Australian businesses, and it’s good for our friendship,” said Wong. “This program and our participation in it is a sign of our closeness and our trust.”

If approved, applicants are eligible for the program for five years. There will be fees involved.

There are currently more than 20 million members of TSA PreCheck.