Popular holiday destination ditches visitor rule to enable 'simpler and quicker' arrivals

Over 450,000 passengers have already trialled digital-only cards since October 2024 on Qantas flights arriving at Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, an Australian news outlet reports.

The program will be extended to Qantas flights landing in Perth and Adelaide by the end of 2026.

It will then be rolled out at all international airports and seaports over the next 12 to 18 months.

The form, initially available via a webpage, is expected to co-designed with industry for in-app capabilities.

The government said the trial had returned anecdotal evidence of “significant success”.

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

“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.”

The rollout scheme will be funded through $56.1m investment over four years.

It will help reduce manual processing for passengers, allow for digital collection of information ahead of time and increase data quality for risk assessments.

The digital card will also allow for updates and “management of global risks and events”, such as biosecurity outbreaks, the government said.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the modernisation was necessary to ensure Australia’s “prosperity and national security”.

“Visitors and Australian travellers alike will be able to take advantage of a seamless border process, which integrates into everyday digital life,” he said.

Funding for the program is also expected to support ongoing work to improve airport and cruise departure models as Australia prepares for an increase in travellers ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.