Australia is rolling out digital incoming passenger cards for millions of travellers arriving at international airports.
The federal government will spend $56.1 million over four years to modernise the procedure following a successful trial for passengers arriving on the east coast.
International arrivals will be met with a quicker process. Steven Siewert
Formerly, incoming travellers would have to fill out an orange paper form to declare their visit and any biosecurity items.
But over the next 12 to 18 months, the process will be available via an online webform at every international airport in the country to better manage the 8.5 million annual visitors.
Tourism Minister Don Farrell said it was a win for both tourists and tourism operators.
“Making arrivals simpler and quicker means visitors can spend less time filling out forms and more time enjoying everything Australia has to offer,” he said.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the digitisation would not compromise the country’s biosecurity.
Instead, she said it could strengthen it by providing information to authorities earlier and helping them respond to any potential risks before it reaches Australia.
The digital process will replace the orange paper form. Supplied
“Australia’s strong biosecurity system protects our farmers, environment, food security and economy, and modernising our border is an important part of maintaining that protection,” she said.
Following the rollout, the federal government will work with airlines to introduce the digital declaration cards through their online apps.
The government hopes that a digital process will be faster and help manage the increasing number of travellers post-pandemic and ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
The government said a trial of more than 450,000 Qantas passengers flying into Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane from October 2024 was a huge success.
That trial will continue to be rolled out to Qantas arrivals in Adelaide and Perth by the end of the year.