Australian paper passenger cards enter the digital age in travel revolution

Travellers to Australia will find border security and biosecurity checks at the airport more straightforward as a trial program to digitise passenger cards enters its next phase.

People entering Australia are required to fill out a paper incoming passenger card while on board their flight as a declaration for immigration, customs and quarantine.

But a trial program to convert the paper form to an online portal has begun for Kiwi travellers.

"Australia's border agencies are striving towards efficient and modernised trade and travel," Australian Border Force (ABF) Commissioner Gav Reynolds said.

"A significant amount of collaborative work between industry and government, has gone into this pilot program," he said.

"It is now entering the next phase as we continue to enhance the passenger experience, creating a seamless travel capability."

The trial began at Brisbane International Airport in October 2024, with more than 70,000 passengers already testing the digital portal.

Now, the next phase of the rollout will allow travellers from Auckland and Queenstown to test the digital Australia Travel Declaration through the Qantas app.

Passengers on Qantas flights QF144 from Auckland and QF122 from Queenstown will be eligible to fill out the digital form to streamline clearance at Sydney Airport.