The trial at Brisbane could see the program roll out nationally. Photo: ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
All passengers on international Qantas flights into Brisbane as of today (March 19) can now fill out their Australian travel declaration (ATD) online.
Australian Border Force Commissioner Gavan Reynolds said replacing the paper card with an app is a step forward to an integrated, and fully digital, border.
The first phase of the pilot program began on October 21, 2024, involving eligible travellers flying into Brisbane from New Zealand on single-passenger bookings.
The program was expanded to Qantas passengers into Brisbane from Los Angeles on March 12, 2025.
“The positive feedback so far has demonstrated a clear demand for a more efficient and user-friendly approach,” Commissioner Reynolds says.
This was particularly relevant as Brisbane prepares to host global events like the 2032 Olympics, he added.
The Agriculture Department’s Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity Justine Saunders says the pilot has already allowed for “a more seamless” travel experience that allows quarantine officers to increase their focus on non-compliant and risky goods. (More below)
POSITIVE REACTION
Qantas Group Chief Customer and Digital Officer Catriona Larritt says they have received positive feedback from passengers who used it.
Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff welcomed the expansion of the program.
“We’re huge advocates at Brisbane Airport for modernising the border so we’re excited to see the expansion of the digital arrival card program after such a successful pilot here last year,” he says.
“With the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and major tourism growth fast approaching, we must do all we can to make people’s journey to Brisbane smooth; modernising and digitising the border is an essential part of that.”
Almost 12,000 passengers have taken up the ATD since the trial began.
Digital passenger declarations were rolled out in New Zealand in 2023 to airline and cruise ship travellers.
HOW IT WORKS
After completing the declaration, passengers receive a digital pass with a QR code through the Qantas app and their nominated email.
This pass is shown to ABF officers upon arrival into Brisbane to possibly enable a swift clearance through border control.
The Brisbane trial is expected to lead the way for a national rollout of the ATD program to all airports and airlines, the ABF says.
