Australia Travel Declaration Streamlines Airport Arrival Process

Transforming Arrival Procedures in Australia

People arriving on a plane or ship to Australia may no longer need to fill in a physical Incoming Passenger Card declaring their accommodations and goods brought into the country. The Australian Border Force (ABF) has announced a trial program for a digital alternative called the Australia Travel Declaration. This trial will commence on Qantas flights between Australia and New Zealand later this year, with plans for broader implementation across other airlines.

Enhancing Travel Efficiency

Passengers will input their details in the Qantas app and receive a QR code for Border Force officers. “Digitising the Incoming Passenger Card presents opportunities to streamline processes and improve data quality,” said the ABF in a statement. Additionally, “Piloting the Australia Travel Declaration will allow us to gain valuable feedback from passengers to refine the product and inform future expansion,” the ABF added.

• Margy Osmond, Chief Executive of the Travel and Tourism Forum, highlighted the significant improvement in travel efficiency.
• She stated, “Finally, passengers landing in Australia won’t have to fill out a paper arrival card with a pen!”
• The digital approach marks a shift from outdated practices, promoting a modern airport experience while prioritizing border security.
• Osmond expresses excitement about the pilot's eventual expansion to other airlines.