Overseas arrivals will have the paperwork taken out for them with a digital ‘card’ to roll out across the country’s international points of entry.
The federal government is to spend $56.1 million over four years on digitalising the passenger declaration process after current trials proved a success, it says.
Federal Tourism Minister Senator Don Farrell says “making arrivals simpler and quicker means visitors can spend less time filling out forms”.
“This is a win for tourists and for our tourism operators, helping make Australia an even easier place to visit,” he says.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke says he wants overseas tourists “out of the airport … as fast as possible”.
“Traveller modernisation is essential to Australia’s prosperity and national security,” he says.
“Visitors and Australian travellers alike will be able to take advantage of a seamless border process which integrates into everyday digital life.”
MAKING OVERSEAS ARRIVALS PROCESS EASIER
Acting Minister for Transport Kristy McBain points out that “the days of scrambling for a pen on the plane to fill out the orange passenger card are numbered”.
“Over the next 18 months, we’ll be rolling out digital passenger cards at every international airport, making the walk from the gate to exit as efficient and stress-free as possible.”
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins says digitalising the process will strengthen biosecurity with more than $2 billion spent on more resources since 2022.
“Australia’s strong biosecurity system protects our farmers, environment, food security and economy; modernising our border is an important part of maintaining that protection,” she says.
“The Australia Travel Declaration will strengthen biosecurity by providing better quality information earlier, helping us identify and respond to potential biosecurity risks before they reach our shores.
“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.”
The card is expected to roll out to other capital cities like Perth and Adelaide before the end of 2026 then to all other international airports and seaports in 12 to 18-months, initially via webform but eventually as an app.
The card is a joint effort between Australian Border Force, Department of Agriculture and Qantas. Since the pilot program began in October 2024, more than 450,000 passengers on Qantas flights into Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne have tested it.
AIRPORTS REACT TO THE NEWS
Sydney Airport welcomed the news, saying it will make life easier for international arrivals.
Airport CEO Scott Charlton says: “A digital declaration card is a simple, practical change that will help deliver a faster welcome while maintaining strong border security.
“This is an important step towards a more seamless border experience that keeps Australia competitive, supports tourism and economic growth, and helps prepare Sydney Airport to welcome 72 million (overseas) passengers a year by 2045,” he says.
The airport says it receives more than 17 million overseas passengers each year and efficient border processing is critical to the tourism economy.
Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus says the news align with their upgrade plans.
“Given the growing volume of travellers, the international arrivals process is currently one of our biggest passenger pain points so we’re pleased the Federal Government has committed to fixing this,” she says.
The airport says it recorded 12.25 million overseas arrivals in the last financial year that ended on July 31, 2026.
It is spending $4.5 billion on expanding its international terminals, putting in a third runway and upgrading its road network.
EARLIER RELATED NEWS: Digital card trial extends to Sydney Airport
