Australia will join the US Global Entry program to reduce airport wait times for travelers.

Australians will soon benefit from easier passage through American airports as they become eligible for the US Global Entry program starting early next year. This program enables pre-approved, low-risk travelers from participating countries to use automated kiosks for faster processing upon arrival in the US, and also grants expedited security screening for domestic flights. While American citizens already use self-service “SmartGates” at Australian airports, the plan to extend Global Entry to Australians, initially proposed in 2018, faced delays. Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who announced the development in Washington DC, stated, “It’s good for Australian businesses, and it’s good for our friendship. This program and our participation in it is a sign of our closeness and our trust.”