Australia to Replace Paper Arrival Cards with Digital Border Entry System
Australia is set to modernise its international border process by gradually replacing paper Incoming Passenger Cards with a digital arrivals system over the next two years. The initiative, announced by the Federal Government, is designed to streamline border processing, improve the visitor experience and reduce congestion at international airports and seaports.
The transition has been welcomed by the tourism, aviation and airport industries, which have long advocated for a digital alternative to the traditional paper-based arrival process.
The new Australia Travel Declaration has been undergoing trials on selected Qantas international flights arriving in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane since October 2024. Under the pilot program, travellers complete their arrival declaration through the Qantas app up to three days before departure and receive a QR code that is scanned by Australian Border Force officers upon arrival.
The trial will expand to Perth and Adelaide before the end of 2026, followed by a nationwide rollout across all Australian international airports and seaports from 2027 via a web-based platform accessible to all travellers. Paper arrival cards will continue to be available for passengers who are unable to use the digital system.
As part of the broader border modernisation strategy, the Federal Government will invest more than A$56 million over four years to upgrade traveller processing systems and improve operational efficiency.
Tourism Minister Don Farrell said the digital transition would enhance the visitor experience while supporting Australia’s tourism sector by reducing paperwork and making entry into the country faster and more convenient. He noted that a simpler arrival process would allow visitors to spend less time completing forms and more time exploring Australia.
The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) praised the initiative, describing it as a significant step towards delivering the seamless digital experience expected by modern international travellers. ATEC Managing Director Peter Shelley said simplifying arrivals would strengthen Australia’s competitiveness as a global tourism destination while maintaining robust border security.
The Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) Australia also welcomed the reform, calling it the beginning of a once-in-a-generation transformation of Australia’s border operations. TTF Chief Executive Margy Osmond said replacing paper forms with digital declarations would reduce paperwork, shorten queues and improve security for millions of international travellers.
Osmond added that the modernisation provides greater certainty for airports and cruise terminals planning future infrastructure investments, particularly as Australia prepares for increased international visitor numbers ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. She noted that adopting digital border technology will help Australia remain competitive with other destinations that have already embraced digital entry systems while creating a smoother and more welcoming first impression for visitors.
