Soon, you won’t have to worry about filling out a paper passenger card on a wobbly tray table, or sheepishly asking your neighbour if they’ve got a pen. After a successful trial, the federal government is rolling out digital passenger cards across Australia. The trial, which took place on eligible inbound Qantas flights to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, will first expand into other capital cities like Perth and Adelaide before the end of the year. Then, it will be steadily introduced into all international airports and seaports over the next 12 to 18 months.
Digital passenger cards
The trial began in October 2024, and since then, over 450,000 passengers have filled out the digital cards. In this pilot program, passengers were asked to fill out their arrival details via the Qantas app up to three days before their trip. They then received a digital pass containing a QR code, which gets scanned by Australian Border Force and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry officers on arrival.
The trial extended to Melbourne in May this year, streamlining the arrival process at one of the busiest airports in the country.
As paper passenger cards are steadily phased out around the nation, the new Australia Travel Declaration will be initially available via a webform option, with a goal to work with the industry to make the form accessible through apps. The government will provide $56.1 million over four years to modernise airports around the country as part of this process.
“When people arrive in Australia, I want them out of the airport and experiencing the best place in the world as fast as possible,” said Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke. “Traveller modernisation is essential to Australia’s prosperity and national security. Visitors and Australian travellers alike will be able to take advantage of a seamless border process, which integrates into everyday digital life.”
On top of making arrivals more efficient for travellers, the digital passenger cards will also allow for rapid updates and risk assessments from border officials.
“The Australia Travel Declaration will strengthen Australia’s biosecurity by providing better quality of information earlier, helping us identify and respond to potential biosecurity risks before they reach out shores,” said Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry Julie Collins. “This investment ensures Australia’s border keeps pace with growing traveller numbers and emerging global biosecurity threats, helping protect our world-leading biosecurity system while delivering a better experience for international travellers.”
Those who are unable to access the form online will still be able to use the classic paper card.
Digital systems are already in place in other airports around the world, including New Zealand, Singapore and Japan.
