The travel industry has wholeheartedly welcomed the full introduction of a digital entry card, replacing the much-maligned physical orange incoming passenger card, after the Federal Government announced trials of the system had been successful.
The digital Australia Travel Declaration will be rolled out nationally over the next 12 to 18 months following successful trials at Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne airports. Further trials will also take place at Perth and Adelaide airports before the end of the year.
Under the current digital trial system, passengers fill out their arrival details through the Qantas app up to three days in advance of their trip, with the app generating a digital pass with a unique QR code, which is scanned by Australian Border Force officers on arrival.
The new Australia Travel Declaration will initially be available through a webform then eventually on integrated into apps.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said faster border processing was essential as international travel volumes continued to grow.
“When people arrive in Australia, I want them out of the airport and experiencing the best place in the world as fast as possible,” he said. “Traveller modernisation is essential to Australia’s prosperity and national security.”
The Australian Airports Association (AAA), which has strongly advocated for greater use of digital technology at the border, commended the Albanese Government for taking crucial measures to progress border modernisation.
AAA CEO Simon Westaway said returning Australians and international visitors had grown weary of the dreaded paper arrivals card.
“This is such an important move and we thank the Federal Government for taking action to modernise a process that has remained largely unchanged for decades,” he said.
“Many of us have experienced the outdated method of filling in a paper card when arriving in Australia, often tired after a long-haul flight and caught out searching for a pen.
“Once fully rolled out, eligible travellers will simply fill in their declaration online, saving time and hassle for themselves as well as border officials.
“International travel has been the primary driver of aviation growth in the past few years, so it’s vital that we make the border processes as smooth as possible.
“Seamless travel upgrades like this help ensure that Australia keeps pace with leading international border systems and add to the positive experience for both tourists and residents.
“Records have been tumbling for international travel at Australian airports, which facilitated nearly 45 million international passenger movements in 2025.
“Our major airports expect that figure will reach more than 86 million by 2040 – a huge increase of nearly 94 per cent.
“If we’re going to accommodate all of these travellers, we really need to think outside the box with better technology and better use of airport infrastructure.
“Australia’s airports are also doing their part, with major spending on infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the tens of millions of passengers welcomed each year across the country.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Federal Government on further border modernisation projects, particularly as we count down to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
As Australia’s busiest international gateway, Sydney Airport welcomes more than 17 million international passengers each year. Efficient border processing is critical to supporting Australia’s visitor economy, improving productivity and ensuring Australia remains an attractive destination for international visitors and business.
Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said a digital declaration card was a practical reform that will help make international arrivals faster and easier for travellers.
“We welcome the Australian Government’s investment in modernising Australia’s border processes and making international arrivals faster and easier for millions of travellers each year,” he said.
“For many visitors, Sydney Airport is their first impression of Australia. A digital declaration card is a simple, practical change that will help deliver a faster welcome while maintaining strong border security.
“This is an important step towards a more seamless border experience that keeps Australia competitive, supports tourism and economic growth, and helps prepare Sydney Airport to welcome 72 million passengers a year by 2045.
Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus also welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising the Australian international arrivals process.
In FY26 the nation’s largest 24-hour gateway welcomed almost 37 million passengers, with international passenger number surpassing 12 million for the first time.
The 2026 financial year included Melbourne Airport’s busiest month on record, with 3,421,195 people transiting through the four terminals in December 2025.
The growing passenger volumes highlighted the need for the airport’s privately funded investment in its road network, airfield and terminals along with government investment in a modernised border,” Argus said.
“Given the growing volume of travellers, the international arrivals process is currently one of our biggest passenger pain points, so we’re pleased the Federal Government has committed to fixing this,” she said. “We’re excited to work with the Federal Government to ensure a seamless rollout of the new digital arrivals process in Melbourne.
“We’ve committed to a $4.5 billion expansion of our international terminal, a new third runway and an enhanced road network to cater for Melbourne’s growth,” she added.
“Passengers will start to notice some of these changes in October, when we open our new and much larger, free pick up and drop off zones for Qantas, International and Virgin Australia travellers in the T123 Transport Hub.
Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) Australia CEO Margy Osmond applauded the Federal Government’s decision to finally scrap the paper arrivals card as a win for travellers and major step towards a safer, seamless world-class border.
“For decades, arriving in Australia has meant searching for a pen to fill out a paper card balanced on your tray table. It simply doesn’t make sense in 2026,” Osmond said.
“This announcement brings Australia’s border into the digital age. As digital passenger cards are rolled out at international airports across Australia over the next 18 months, we’ll see less paperwork, fewer queues and a safer, more secure arrival experience for millions of travellers.”
Osmond said replacing the paper arrivals card was the first step in a much broader border modernisation program, paving the way for future technologies including biometric processing, smarter risk assessment and more efficient airport and cruise terminal operations.
“Australia is competing with destinations around the world that have already embraced digital borders. First impressions matter and the arrival experience shapes how international visitors feel about Australia before they’ve even left the airport. The easier we make that journey, the stronger our reputation as a world-class destination,” she said.
“We’ve worked incredibly constructively with the Australian Government over the past 12 to 18 months to help shape this reform, and today’s announcement sends exactly the signal the industry has been hoping for.”
Osmond said the announcement also gave more certainty to Australia’s airports and cruise terminals as they plan billions of dollars in future infrastructure investment.
“Airports across Australia are making long-term investment decisions today. Having a clear roadmap for border technology means they can invest with confidence and design terminals around the passenger experience of the future, not the past,” she said.
TTF praised the Federal Government for showing commitment to working in partnership with industry on the next phase of reform.
“This is a significant milestone but it’s only the beginning,” Osmond added. “With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games fast approaching, Australia has a unique opportunity to showcase itself to the world. The visitor experience starts the moment someone lands in Australia and our border needs to reflect the modern, innovative and welcoming country we are.”
“The Games will bring millions of eyes to Australia, and we need a border experience that matches that ambition: one that is fast, seamless, secure and among the best in the world.”
Tourism Minister Don Farrell said making arrivals simpler and quicker meant visitors could spend more time enjoying Australia.
“This is a win for tourists and a win for our tourism operators, helping make Australia an even easier and more welcoming place to visit,” he said.
