People arriving by plane or boat into Australia may no longer need to complete a physical passenger card indicating where they will be staying and what goods they have brought into the country.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) has announced a trial program for a digital alternative called Australia Travel Declaration.
The trial will begin on Qantas flights between Australia and New Zealand later this year before expanding to other airlines.
Passengers will provide their contact details in the Qantas app and will receive a QR code to show to Border Force officers.
“Digitization of the incoming passenger card presents opportunities to streamline processes, improve data quality and provide a seamless experience for users,” the ABF said in a statement.
“Piloting the Travel Statement in Australia will allow us to gain valuable feedback from passengers, which will help us refine the product and inform its future expansion. »
Travel and Tourism Forum chief executive Margy Osmond said the scheme would lead to more efficient travel.
“Finally, passengers landing in Australia will no longer need to fill out a paper arrival card with a pen! Paper cards are a relic of the past and we can do much better in the digital age,” Osmond said in a press release.
“These reforms will improve the airport experience for travelers upon arrival, while prioritizing border security, through a more modern and efficient process, which we have long advocated for.”
“We are excited that the pilot will eventually be expanded to other airlines as the program progresses.”
