‘About time’: Arriving passengers face major airport change
Travellers landing in Brisbane from overseas face a major change at the airport, thanks to digital traveller declaration cards trial.
Travellers landing in Australia from overseas face a major change at the airport, thanks to the expansion of a long-awaited trial.
Australian Border Force’s trial of digital traveller declaration cards, which began with a handful of travellers arriving on Qantas flights from New Zealand last year, has been expanded to all international Qantas flights arriving in Brisbane.
ABF Commissioner Gavan Reynolds said replacing traditional paper Incoming Passenger Cards was the next step toward an integrated and fully digital border.
“The expansion of the Australian Travel Declaration pilot program marks a significant advancement in our mission to modernise border processes and enhance the traveller experience,” he said.
“The positive feedback so far has demonstrated a clear demand for a more efficient and user-friendly approach. As we prepare for global events like the 2032 Olympics, the ABF is committed to using technology to create a seamless travel experience while maintaining our high standards of security and compliance.”
You might like
The first phase of the pilot program began in October last year.
It targeted only a small group of travellers – people flying into Brisbane from New Zealand on single-passenger bookings. They were able to complete digital cards through the Qantas app up to 72 hours before their arrival.
Early in March, the pilot program was expanded to Qantas passengers flying into Brisbane from Los Angeles. Last Friday it was expanded again to take in single and multi-passenger bookings on all international Qantas flights arriving directly into Brisbane.
Border Force said almost 12,000 passengers had been involved in the trial so far.
Stay informed, daily
Under the scheme, passengers who fill out an online declaration receive a digital pass with a QR code through the Qantas app and to their nominated email. They show that to ABF officers upon arrival into Brisbane.
So far, the trial appears to be a rip-roaring success. Border Force said responses had included: “It’s about time”, “It made my life easier; I wasn’t reaching for that pen”, and “It was awesome; I’m already out”.
The tourism industry has also welcomed the digital change. Last year, Australian Travel Industry Association CEO Dean Long told The New Daily the trial was a “really good first step”.
“Those passenger cards have had an important role to play previously… but this is really bringing us into the early 2000s with the rest of the world, where we won’t need to fill in paper forms,” he said.
“We look forward to being able rolled out to all destinations.”
Transport and Tourism Forum CEO Margy Osmond said paper cards were “a relic of the past”, and Australia could do much better in the digital age.
“These reforms will improve the airport experience for travellers when they arrive, whilst prioritising border security through a more modern, efficient process, which we’ve long been advocating for,” she said.
Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff welcomed the latest expansion.
“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 said.
“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, and modernising and digitising the border is an essential part of that.”
The ABF said the Brisbane pilot was providing valuable insights for the program’s future expansion – including to travellers arriving in other airports and on different airlines. No date has yet been given for any further expansions.
