Thursday, March 20, 2025
Australia is taking a significant step toward modernizing its border entry process by phasing out the traditional orange Incoming Passenger Card in favor of a digital solution. The new Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) will replace the outdated paper card, providing a more efficient and streamlined experience for international travelers.
The ATD was initially rolled out as a pilot on select Qantas flights from New Zealand to Brisbane last year. Following its success, the digital system has expanded to cover all international Qantas flights arriving in Brisbane, including routes from Los Angeles. The app now also supports multi-passenger bookings, allowing families and groups to complete their declarations in one simple step.
Although the ATD app is now the recommended method, travelers still have the option to use the paper Incoming Passenger Card during this trial phase. However, the seamless integration of the ATD into the Qantas app has likely sped up its adoption. This approach has proven more effective than creating a standalone website, which the Australian Border Force (ABF) initially considered.
This new digital approach also opens the door for other airlines to incorporate the ATD directly into their own apps, ensuring that travelers have a smooth and unified experience across different carriers. Looking ahead, the Australian government plans to launch a dedicated “purpose-built website” and likely an app for completing the digital declaration, further improving the traveler experience.
By 2025, more Australian airports and international routes are expected to join the trial, with plans to extend the ATD functionality to additional airline apps. This broader integration will ultimately create a faster and more user-friendly entry process for all international travelers arriving in Australia.
How the ATD App Works:
Passengers must complete their ATD declaration within three days of their arrival. The process is currently housed within the Qantas app, but other airlines are expected to follow suit in the future. Once the declaration is completed, travelers receive a digital pass with a QR code, which is sent to both the Qantas app and their selected email address. Upon arrival in Australia, passengers present this QR code to Border Force officers for quick and efficient processing.
A Long-Awaited Shift to Digital:
The transition to a digital passenger declaration has been a long time coming. This marks Australia’s third attempt to replace the paper-based Incoming Passenger Card. The first attempt, part of the 2016 “Seamless Traveller” initiative, envisioned a digital arrivals card trial that was eventually shelved. In 2022, the Australian government invested $60 million in the Digital Passenger Declaration platform, which included a smartphone app. However, the platform proved problematic and was terminated just five months later.
These past failures have led the Australian Border Force to take a more cautious approach with the ATD, opting for a gradual, controlled rollout to ensure the system’s success. The ATD pilot is currently limited to specific markets, with the aim of expanding it nationwide in the coming years.
The move toward a fully digital border entry system reflects Australia’s commitment to improving travel efficiency while maintaining security. As more airlines and airports join the initiative, travelers can expect a faster, simpler, and more convenient process when entering the country.
