Assessing Afghanistan and Pakistan
U.S. national security expert Anthony Cordesman discusses the challenges ahead for coalition forces in Afghanistan and Pakistan during his visits to Hobart and Melbourne. Dr. Cordesman held a series of meetings across the Consular district, and spoke to the University of Tasmania, Monash University and the Australian Institute of International Affairs.
Breaking the Fast with a Diverse Community
Fifty of Melbourne's Muslim community leaders gathered for Consul General Michael Thurston's first Iftar dinner at post. Drawn from a range of organizations including mosques, consulates, and community groups, these men and women illustrated the diversity of Islamic culture in Australia.
Chief Jay Jonas from the New York Fire Department, a survivor of the attack on the World Trade Center, joins Consul General Thurston to commemorate the 8th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
Singh’s State Visit to Build on U.S.-India Relations
The state visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is seen by the Obama administration as a new beginning for U.S.-India relations and a window to…
U.S. PEPFAR Program Helps Millions with AIDS in Africa
Millions of AIDS sufferers in sub-Saharan Africa are alive and well, thanks to a commitment to international health and the U.S. PEPFAR program that its…
Muslim Americans Prepare for Hajj
An estimated 10,000 to 12,000 American Muslims will participate in the Hajj in 2009. The number of Americans making the trip is down from previous years,…

Capacity audience gathers to hear Dr. Cordesman in Melbourne
Posted 27 October, 2009
The Australian Institute for International Affairs (Victoria) hosted a capacity audience for Dr. Anthony Cordesman in Melbourne. Addressing the challenges that face the international forces in the future, including troop levels, foreign aid and insurgency, Dr. Cordesman gave a pragmatic and highly informed overview of the war in Afghanistan.
Posted 27 October, 2009
Dr. Anthony Cordesman addressed a capacity audience of University of Tasmania students and academics on current challenges facing Afghanistan and Pakistan. With his experience as a high-level advisor to General McChrystal in Iraq, Dr. Cordesman spoke of realistic goals of the United States Government in this region, and the ways in which the U.S are working with our allies to bring security to local people.

Daniel Price speaks at to the Grattan Institute
Posted 8 October, 2009
Former White House official, Daniel Price addressed a capacity audience for Melbourne’s non-partisan think-tank, the Grattan Institute. In an interview-style exchange with CEO Professor John Daley, Price spoke about the pricing of carbon emissions, and international trade.

Posted 8 October, 2009
Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins addressed the Victorian branch of the Australian Institute of International Affairs. The topic of the presentation “Reducing the nuclear threat” Ambassador Jenkins spoke of her role as the State Department’s Coordinator for Threat Reduction Programs in the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation.
For more information on Ambassador Jenkins, click on http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/126045.htm
Climate Change discussions in Tassie
Posted 8 October, 2009
The University of Tasmania and the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Center hosted the Embassy’s Economic Officer David Atkinson to discuss U.S. climate change policy. Drawing on talking points provided by S/SECC Todd Stern’s office, he laid out the broad strokes of U.S. climate goals and domestic action to the audience of ten academics and researchers headed by Marcus Haward, Program Leader for Policy at the ACECRC. The group asked questions about U.S climate legislation, renewable energy efforts, and the role of Antarctic science in developing climate policies.
ACS Newsletter
The latest Melbourne ACS Newsletter is now available.
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.
Become a fan of the U.S. Embassy Facebook page.
Follow the U.S. Embassy Canberra YouTube channel
Subscribe to the RSS feed for the USRS Australia blog.
This site is managed by the U.S. Department of State.
External links to other internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.