Australia Finally Scraps Paper Arrival Cards for Digital System

The days of fumbling for a pen to fill out a paper arrival card after a long flight into Australia are coming to an end. The Albanese government has confirmed it will roll out a fully digital passenger declaration system across all international airports and seaports, following a successful trial with Qantas into Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. The old paper forms—which require incoming travelers to list personal details and declare food, plants, or animal products—have been a long-standing nuisance for passengers arriving on long-haul routes.

The government is spending $56.1 million over four years to modernize airport systems and introduce the digital Australian travel declaration. The Qantas trial will expand to Perth and Adelaide by the end of 2026, with a phased rollout to all airlines and seaports over the following 12 to 18 months. Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell said the change means “visitors can spend less time filling out forms and more time enjoying everything Australia has to offer.” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke called the upgrade “essential to Australia’s prosperity and national security,” promising a “seamless border process.” The digital system will initially be available via a webform, with plans to integrate it into airline apps.

The move aligns Australia with major hubs in Japan, Singapore, and New Zealand that already use digital entry systems. A 2024 report by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry had labeled the paper system “antiquated,” warning it risked hurting the country’s reputation as a tourist destination. The report estimated that modernizing both incoming and outgoing passenger systems could inject an extra $50 billion into the Australian economy each year. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins stressed the government will “never compromise on biosecurity,” adding that modernizing the border is key to maintaining that protection.