Faces could replace passports as Aussie airports trial new technologies

Hate waiting in line to get through airport customs? Improvements in facial recognition technology could allow Australian travellers to use their face as their passport by the end of the decade.

An advanced biometrics trial at Sydney Airport's international terminal has had eligible outbound Qantas aircrew clear the border using their face only, without having to show a physical passport.

Australian Border Force (ABF) acting deputy commissioner - Strategy and Capability Group, Nicole Spencer, said "faces operated as passports" in the trial.

"While the technology is well progressed there is still a lot of work to do in determining how to implement this business model," she said, citing privacy considerations.

The advanced biometrics trial joins other trials and improvements at Australian airports, including digital processing and more SmartGate kiosks.

Authorities say their vision is to work towards "contactless travel" whereby passengers can rely on digital credentials and facial recognition for quicker and easier progression through key steps at airports.

Here's what you need to know about the future of international traveller processing in Australia.

The ABF, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Qantas and Brisbane Airport have jointly launched a digital incoming passenger card trial.

Eligible passengers travelling with Qantas between Brisbane and Auckland are being invited to complete the digital form in the Qantas app prior to travelling. This replaces the yellow incoming passenger card that needs to be filled out manually.

After completing the declaration, those passengers receive a digital pass with a QR code through the Qantas app and to their nominated email, which is shown to ABF and DAFF officers for swift clearance through biosecurity and border controls.

Qantas is looking to expand the program to other Australian and international destinations in the coming months.

Sydney Airport is working with ABF to improve inbound border processing.

The airport will purchase additional SmartGate kiosks which the ABF will then operate, speeding up processing for travellers.

Travellers present their passport and face to a SmartGate Kiosk, then move through the airport to a SmartGate for facial recognition and identity confirmation.

A major security screening upgrade at Sydney international terminal is set for completion by late 2025.

Fifteen new screening lanes featuring advanced CT scanning technology will be introduced, allowing passengers to leave liquids and aerosols in their hand luggage.

This upgrade will increase screening capacity by nearly 30 per cent, boosting passenger throughput from 4,500 to 5,850 passengers per hour, Sydney Airport said.