‘So much easier’: How Australia’s new digital passenger declaration card works
Updated . First published at
Travellers will soon be able to farewell those annoying yellow paper declaration cards, after the government confirmed the rollout of digital incoming passenger cards for millions when arriving in Australia.
“By next year these [paper cards] will be a thing of the past,” Tourism and Transport Forum CEO, Margy Osmond, told Today, following the announcement that $56.1 million would be spent over four years to modernise the procedure.
Arriving into Australia is going to look a little different for passengers. Matt Jelonek
“It’s just an infinitely better experience. To be perfectly frank, the best airports in the world are already doing this. Hong Kong, Singapore, Bali! I think it’s time for Australia to move into the 21st century.”
Here is everything you need to know.
What is the Australia Travel Declaration card
The Incoming Passenger Card is an official entry form required by the Australian Government to record your arrival into the country.
It serves as a way to verify your personal details, including passport information, and process immigration and customs.
Travellers must declare if they are bringing in food, plant material, animal products, medications, or large cash amounts, to comply with Australia’s strict biosecurity laws.
Most passengers are given the paper forms to fill out by their airline before landing. There are also cards and tables available in the terminal once you arrive.
Cards need to be filled out for every single passenger including children and infants.
The digital process will replace the yellow paper form. Supplied
How does the new digital declaration work
Going forward passengers will be able to input their information digitally, without the need to reach for a pen to fill out the paper form.
A successful trial of more than 450,000 Qantas passengers flying into Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane has been in place since October 2024.
“The government has been testing this with Qantas via a number of airports so we know it works,” Margy said.
The digital declaration is currently available to select Qantas passengers. Supplied/Sarah Swain
Nine Travel journalist Sarah Swain trialled the new digital system after a recent holiday and said it was “much easier” than filling out the paper forms.
“The questions were the same as on the familiar yellow form,” Sarah said.
“After answering the questions I screenshotted the QR code (I later found it in my junk email too). In the baggage hall this was scanned by officials, and I was directed to the right lane.”
“I can’t recall any other counties still having paper forms for passengers. It feels like Australia has finally moved with the times,” she added.
The information will be stored online and can be updated when things change. Supplied/Sarah Swain
The digital declaration can be submitted from 72 hours before departure. Passengers will still need to input their personal details and complete the required declaration questions.
You can screenshot the QR code, however, the declaration pass will remain accessible even if the device is offline.
When is it rolling out
Over the next 12 to 18 months, the process will be available via an online webform at every international airport in the country to better manage the 8.5 million annual visitors.
Given the recent headlines of border chaos in Europe after a change in border processes, Australians may well be worried of the impacts a new digital system could have here.
However, Brett Mitchell, Managing Director ANZ, Intrepid Travel, told nine.com.au the staggered rollout is the right approach.
“Australia seems to be taking a more cautious path, testing this with Qantas flights first across a handful of airports before expanding to every airline and airport,” he said.
A trial with Qantas passengers has been in progress at Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Getty Images
“This kind of proven, staged approach, expanding gradually rather than switching everything overnight, is exactly what gives a system like this the best chance of landing well for travellers.
“Ironing out any issues at this smaller scale, rather than launching everywhere at once, is exactly the kind of approach that should help avoid the teething problems we’ve seen overseas.”
Will all airlines use the digital passenger cards?
Following the rollout, the federal government has confirmed it will work with airlines to introduce the digital declaration cards through their online apps.
That current Qantas trial will continue to be rolled out to arrivals in Adelaide and Perth by the end of the year.
“[It’s] the first impression you have as you arrive in the country. Let’s make it as good as possible,” Margy said.
