Qantas trials phasing out of Australia's incoming passenger card with new digital alternative

Passengers on some flights have been the first to enter Australia without having to fill out the dreaded incoming passenger card.

Passengers flying in from New Zealand tried a new "fast-tracked arrival process" by using the new Digital Travel Declaration (ATD) as part of a joint initiative with the Australian government.

Qantas is the first to test the scheme, initially for passengers flying from Auckland to Brisbane on flight QF126.

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It will soon be expanded for passengers flying from other New Zealand cities to Brisbane.

Other Australian cities and some international destinations are set to be included "in the coming months", Qantas said.

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Travellers can fill out the form on the Qantas app 72 hours before they fly.

They will then get a QR code to show to Australian Border Force officers instead of the paper card.

However, customers who prefer to use the existing paper incoming passenger card can continue to do so.

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The airline's chief customer and digital officer Catriona Larritt said it will make travel easier.

"The paperless declaration means no more trying to find a pen and your flight details midway through your flight," she said.

"Passengers will have three days to fill out the digital form at a time and place that suits them."