Consulate General of the U.S. Perth

“Breaking the Narrative”

Consul General Kenneth Chern hosted a stimulating digital video conference August 6, with Amar Bakshi, Special Assistant to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice. Mr. Bakshi, speaking from Washington, shared his insights on how Muslim youth can use the tools of new media, from the internet and Facebook to text messaging, to enhance dialogue among diverse populations around the world.
Navy Crews Befriend Local Residents

The USS George Washington (CVN 73), a United States Navy aircraft carrier, anchored off the coast of Fremantle as the USS Cowpens (CG 63), a guided-missile cruiser, steamed into port July 2 to begin a five-day port visit. The visit was the first Australian port visit for the George Washington (GW) in its nearly 17-year history and the first port visit of the GW’s inaugural summer deployment since replacing the USS Kitty Hawk last September.
Traveling to the U.S.? Make Sure It’s a “.gov”

U.S. Consul Neal Vermillion held a press conference on June 12 warning the public against using unofficial websites. The Consul stressed the importance of going to official websites ending in ".gov" when seeking travel authorizations or information about visa services. More information about visa free travel can be found at www.cpb.gov/esta and information about visas is at http://perth.usconsulate.gov/consular/visas/niv/.

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Fulbright

Educational and cultural exchanges

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Meet with an educational adviser

U.S.–Australia

The history of the bilateral relationship

More News from the Consulate

EducationUSA Advisers Recognized For Their Outstanding Service

The volunteer EducationUSA advisers in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane recently received the Unsung Hero Award for 20 years of volunteer advising to Australians interested in studying in the United States. The award was presented at the annual meeting of the Association of International Educators conference in Los Angeles and was one of only 5 awards presented worldwide to EducationUSA advisers.

Guests gathered at the CG’s Residence to watch the live telecast of President Obama's speech from Cairo.

Jubilation After Obama’s Cairo Speech

Consul General Ken Chern and his wife, Ronni, had roughly 35 guests to their residence to watch a live telecast of President Obama’s June 4 speech at the University of Cairo reaching out to Muslims around the worldAt the end of the speech, the group burst into applause, as the President’s remarks met with profound appreciation and admiration. The group went on to dissect and evaluate the speech for an hour.

Youth with cardboard cutout of President Obama.

“Obamaque!”

Consul General Ken Chern and his wife, Ronni, hosted an "Obamaque" for 60 young people at their residence on May 29 to discuss the challenges facing President Obama and young people in the United States and Australia. The event was casual -- Hawaiian leis, Chicago pizzas, New York hot dogs, and Indonesian satays represented the varied homes and cultures experienced by the President.

Associate Professor Lance Fung, Vice-Chair, IEEE WA Section; Consul General Ken Chern; Professor David Doepel, Director, Research Institute on Resource Technology, Murdoch University; Associate Professor Kevin Wong, Chairperson, IEEE WA Section.

Kim Beazley Speaks on Australian-American Relations

Consul General Ken Chern gave a speech, "U.S. Science Policy on the Move," at a Murdoch University seminar celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the 25th anniversary of IEEE's Western Australia Section. Dr. Chern addressed an audience of about 70 students and professors from engineering, scientific, and other disciplines on the uses the Obama Administration is making of science, technology, and innovation.

CG Chern with Dr. Tom Mann at the Institute of Advanced Studies at UWA.

Connecting with Political Experts Coast to Coast

Thomas Mann, political scientist and fellow at the Brookings Institute, shared his views on the new Obama administration and its relationship with Congress during a wide-ranging series of talks and interviews in Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney in the past month. His visit was arranged by the Grattan Institute in cooperation with the American Embassy.

Consul General and Mrs. Ken Chern held a reception on May 12 in honor of Dr. Eric Meslin, Director of the Indiana University Center for Bioethics.

Reception in Honor of Dr. Eric Meslin

Consul General and Mrs. Ken Chern held a reception May 12 in honor of Dr. Eric Meslin, Director of the Indiana University Center for Bioethics, who formerly served as Executive Director of the National Bioethics Advisory Commission which advised President Clinton. In his remarks, the Consul General cited the work of Dr. Meslin to advance not only research ethics but also medical ethics — the moral obligation of physicians to meet the total needs of the people they serve.

ESTA: Electronic System for Travel Authorization U.S. Department of Homeland Security

ESTA Requirements Now in Effect

All nationals and citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, including Australia, are required to obtain a travel authorization prior to initiating travel to the United States. This requirement commenced January 12, 2009. Authorization may be obtained online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), a free Internet application administered by the Department of Homeland Security.

There is no charge to complete the ESTA application. VWP travelers should be aware that unauthorized third-parties have established websites, which charge visitors for information and for submitting ESTA applications. These websites are not endorsed by, associated with, nor affiliated in any way with the U.S. government.

VWP visitors should apply now for the travel authorization.

For more information, start by reading our page on the Visa Waiver Program.

U.S. – Australia Student Work and Travel Pilot Program

The Student Work and Travel Pilot Program allows Australian citizens to combine work and travel in the United States for up to 12 months. For more information, visit our page on the Student Work and Travel Pilot Program.

Please see our nonimmigrant visa page for general information on the U.S. visa application process, including how to apply for a U.S. visa in Australia.