Australia is set to introduce digital arrival cards, offering international travelers a modern alternative to traditional paper forms.
Since October 2024, a pilot program of the digital Australia Traveller Declaration has been underway on selected Qantas flights.
When will digital arrival cards be available
Due to the success of this initiative, the federal government has declared its expansion to all international airports and seaports over the coming 12 to 18 months.
The digital arrival card will initially be accessible via a web form, after which the government plans to collaborate with airlines to integrate the system into their mobile applications.
To facilitate these developments, the federal government has committed $56.1 million over the next four years to update the arrival systems at airports nationwide.
The pilot program involved more than 450,000 passengers arriving in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and will be expanded to other capital cities by the end of the year.
Why is Australia introducing digital arrival cards?
As well as streamlining the process for passengers, the government said digital collection increased data quality for risk assessments and enabled updates to global risk events, such as biosecurity outbreaks.
Funding will also be provided to improve airport departure systems in collaboration with industry, as well as supporting border agencies, which expect a surge in travellers post-COVID and ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics.
Tourism Minister Don Farrell said the program would make arrivals “simpler and quicker” for visitors who will spend less time filling out paper forms.
“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.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said: “Traveller modernisation is essential to Australia’s prosperity and national security.”
“Visitors and Australian travellers alike will be able to take advantage of a seamless border process, which integrates into everyday digital life.”
How will the digital cards work?
Currently, anyone entering Australia by air or sea must complete a physical, orange arrival card.
The card is usually provided to passengers before their arrival at a port or airport. The passenger then surrenders the form to Australian Border Force officials.
Through the digital system, passengers would provide their arrival details through the Qantas app up to three days before their trip.
The app generates a QR code, available in the app or the person’s registered email, which is scanned by border force staff at the arrivals checkpoint.
Will paper arrival cards still be available?
The web form will expand in 2027 to include all Australian international airports and seaports, as well as all airlines. However, paper forms will still be available for passengers who cannot access the digital cards.