The government will provide $56.1 million over four years for traveller modernisation at airports across Australia.

In a collaborative partnership with the Australian Border Force, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Qantas, the Australia Travel Declaration pilot program has delivered a digital alternative to the paper incoming passenger card.

Since the pilot commenced in October 2024, more than 450,000 passengers on eligible inbound Qantas flights into Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne have trialled the Australia Travel Declaration, with anecdotal evidence proving the trial has been a significant success. This pilot, in partnership with Qantas will continue to be introduced to other capital cities including Perth and Adelaide, before the end of 2026.

The Australia Travel Declaration will then be rolled out to all international airports and seaports in a phased approach over the next 12 to 18-months, initially accessible via a webform option, with an aim to continue to collaborate with industry to co-design in-app capabilities.

The broader rollout of the Australia Travel Declaration will streamline facilitation and reduce manual processes for passengers, enable digital collection of information ahead of time and increase data quality for risk assessments, allow for rapid updates and management of global risks and events, such as biosecurity outbreaks, and meet passenger expectations for a biometric-enabled, seamless digital border experience.

Funding will also support ongoing co-design work with industry to improve airport departure and cruise clearance models. This funding will support border agencies in managing strong growth in traveller volumes post-Covid and ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Don Farrell:

“Making arrivals simpler and quicker means visitors can spend less time filling out forms and more time enjoying everything Australia has to offer.”

“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.”

Making the arrival process easier is a priority for our tourism industry and the Albanese Government is delivering the necessary investment to make it happen.”