'Relic of the past': Australia moves to ditch paper arrival cards with new trial

A digital alternative to the traditional physical card those coming into Australia need to fill out will be trialled later this year.

A person in an Australian Border Force uniform holding up stacks of yellow Incoming Passenger Cards.

The paperless alternative will be trialled on Qantas flights between New Zealand and Australia before being expanded to other airlines. Source: AAP / Patrick Hamilton

People arriving on a plane or ship to Australia may no longer need to fill in a physical Incoming Passenger Card declaring where they will stay and what goods they have brought into the country.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) has announced a trial program for a digital alternative called the Australia Travel Declaration.

The trial will start on Qantas flights between Australia and New Zealand later this year before being expanded to other airlines.

Passengers will provide their details in the Qantas app and be sent a QR code to show Border Force officers.
"Digitising the Incoming Passenger Card presents opportunities to streamline processes, improve data quality, and offer a seamless experience for users," the ABF said in a statement.

"Piloting the Australia Travel Declaration will allow us to gain valuable feedback from passengers that will help refine the product and inform future expansion."

Travel and Tourism Forum chief executive Margy Osmond said the program would lead to more efficient travel.

"Finally, passengers landing in Australia won’t have to fill out a paper arrival card with a pen! The paper cards are a relic of the past and we can do much better in the digital age," Osmond said in a statement.

"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."

"We're thrilled the pilot will eventually be expanded to other airlines as the program progresses."

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Published 16 August 2024 6:26pm
By Madeleine Wedesweiler
Source: SBS News



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