Australia Inbound passenger cards to go digital

Last week, on our flight back to Australia from South Korea, we were given immigration cards to fill out by the flight crew. I remarked to my wife about the system's obsolescence. It seems someone took note because Australia is modernizing by phasing out the paper-based incoming passenger card for a digital solution: the Australia Travel Declaration (ATD).

Currently, the ATD is being trialed on select Qantas flights from New Zealand to Brisbane, starting with QF126 from Auckland. The trial is expected to expand to other Qantas flights from New Zealand to Brisbane this week.

Qantas has announced that more Australian destinations and international routes will adopt the program in the next few months. This is part of a collaborative effort with the Australian Government to streamline the arrival process.

Upon arrival, passengers will show a QR code generated by the system to the Border Force officers, eliminating the paper card requirement. The ATD will be accessible across airlines, with an Australian Border Force spokesperson confirming the eventual launch of a government-run website for the declaration. An app is also anticipated.

Travelers must complete the digital ATD within three days before their flight, with the option to use an in-app version available 72 hours prior to departure.

Incorporating the ATD into the Qantas app has expedited the trial's launch. This approach may pave the way for other airlines to integrate the ATD into their apps, offering travelers a comprehensive service.