The Albanese government has announced the end of paper arrival cards for millions of travellers arriving in Australia on international flights. Digital passenger cards will be rolled out to all Australian international airports and seaports following a successful trial on Qantas flights into Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.
Details of the Digital Declaration Rollout
The government will spend $56.1 million over four years to modernise airport systems and introduce the digital Australian travel declaration. The trial program run by Qantas will expand to other capitals, including Perth and Adelaide, by the end of 2026. A digital declaration will then be phased in for all airlines and at seaports over the next 12 to 18 months.
The paper forms, which ask passengers for personal information and declarations of food, plant, or animal products, have long been an annoyance for travellers on long-haul flights. The new system aims to simplify and speed up the arrivals process.
Government and Industry Reactions
Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell stated that a simpler arrivals process means “visitors can spend less time filling out forms and more time enjoying everything Australia has to offer.” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke described the modernisation as “essential to Australia’s prosperity and national security,” adding it would create a “seamless border process” for international visitors and Australian travellers.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins stressed that the government would “never compromise on biosecurity,” noting that “modernising our border is an important part of maintaining that protection.”
Benefits and Global Context
Digital systems for incoming passengers already operate at many global airports, including major hubs in Japan, Singapore, and New Zealand. The Albanese government said the declaration would initially be accessible via a webform, with plans to integrate it into airline apps. The Qantas trial allowed travellers to complete the form digitally through the airline’s app before flying.
The broader rollout is expected to reduce manual processes, enable digital information collection ahead of time, increase data quality for risk assessments, and allow rapid updates for global risks such as biosecurity outbreaks. It also aims to meet passenger expectations for a biometric-enabled, seamless digital border experience.
Economic Impact and Industry Support
A 2024 report by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry called Australia’s paper system “antiquated” and warned it risked damaging Australia’s reputation as a tourist destination. The report urged the abolition of paper cards and estimated that modernising passenger systems could bring an additional $50 billion to the Australian economy each year.
