Millions of travellers to Australia will no longer need to fill out paper-based passenger cards as a digital replacement is rolled out for arrivals.<\/p>\n
The federal government will provide AU$56.1 million (NZ$67.6 million) over four years to roll out the digital passenger cards to modernise airport operations across the country.<\/p>\n
It follows a successful trial involving more than 450,000 passengers on inbound Qantas flights into Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne since October 2024.<\/p>\n
The digital Australian travel declaration will be introduced to other capital cities before the end of the year.<\/p>\n
It will be rolled out to all other international airports and seaports over 12 to 18 months.<\/p>\n
The incoming passenger cards must be completed by all arriving travellers and returning Australian citizens, and include a series of questions about imported goods, criminal convictions and other personal information.<\/p>\n
The digital version will initially be accessible via a web form as the government collaborates with industry to co-design alternatives.<\/p>\n
The change is aimed at streamlining processes for arriving passengers ahead of an expected influx of tourists for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.<\/p>\n
The changes will also improve data quality and speed up collection in the case of global disease outbreaks or biosecurity hazards.<\/p>\n
Tourism Minister Don Farrell said arrivals would become quicker and simpler with the change.<\/p>\n
“This is a win for tourists and a win for our tourism operators, helping make Australia an even easier and more welcoming place to visit,” he said.<\/p>\n
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said traveller modernisation was essential to Australia’s prosperity and national security.<\/p>\n
“When people arrive in Australia, I want them out of the airport and experiencing the best place in the world as fast as possible,” he said.<\/p>\n
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the digital option would strengthen biosecurity measures by helping authorities identify and respond to potential risks before they reached the nation’s shores.<\/p>\n