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Australia Is Finally Ditch Paper Arrival Cards
The digital declaration will let passengers submit details before arrival and generate a QR code, with more than 450,000 travellers tested in the trial.
On Monday, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced a $56.1 million nationwide rollout of the Australia Travel Declaration, a digital replacement for paper cards, following a successful trial involving more than 450,000 passengers on Qantas flights.
The Australian Airports Association has long pushed for digitization to reduce congestion, with chief executive Simon Westaway calling the current paper process 'outdated' and a barrier to productivity.
Travelers can now complete the Australia Travel Declaration up to 72 hours before arrival, receiving an email with a QR code that border officers scan instead of processing manual forms.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins and Tourism Minister Don Farrell stated the digital system strengthens biosecurity and streamlines arrivals, ensuring visitors spend less time in airports and more time enjoying Australia.
Authorities will expand the program to all Australian international airports and seaports over the next 12 to 18 months, preparing infrastructure for rising visitor numbers ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.