The journey towards a future of seamless travel between Australia and New Zealand has taken a significant step forward with the launch of a pilot program for a digital alternative to the traditional paper incoming passenger card (IPC).
This week, the first group of Qantas passengers arriving from New Zealand completed the Australia Travel Declaration, marking a new chapter in border processing.
The initiative, led by the Trans-Tasman Seamless Travel Group, reflects the commitment of both countries’ Prime Ministers to work towards “contactless travel.”
The aim is to streamline the travel experience using digital credentials and facial recognition technology, allowing for quicker and easier movement through key airport procedures.
ABF Commissioner Michael Outram hailed the pilot as a pivotal moment in modernising border procedures. “A significant amount of work has gone into getting this pilot off the ground, and I’d like to commend the efforts and contribution of Australian and New Zealand agencies and companies to get us here,” Commissioner Outram said.
“This is just one of many border modernisation initiatives co-designed by government and industry, and its importance cannot be overstated.”
Looking ahead to Brisbane hosting the 2032 Olympics, Outram added,
“We are striving to be global leaders at the border, and this is the first of many big steps in the right direction.”
The Australia Travel Declaration pilot, a product of months of collaboration between the Australian Border Force (ABF), the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), and Qantas, commenced on Monday, 21 October 2024.
Passengers on QF126, arriving in Brisbane from Auckland, were the first to trial the system, landing at Brisbane Airport around 5 pm.
Eligible passengers were invited to complete the digital declaration via the Qantas app prior to travel. After submission, they received a QR-coded digital pass through the app and by email, which was presented to ABF and DAFF officers for swift processing through border controls.
DAFF Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity Justine Saunders emphasised the importance of maintaining Australia’s strong biosecurity measures while embracing innovation. “We are pleased to see the biosecurity process becoming more integrated and streamlined while still effectively protecting Australia from harmful pests and diseases,” she said.
“The success of this pilot is a positive step towards our shared goal of streamlined border clearances.”
Qantas Group Chief Customer and Digital Officer, Catriona Larritt, expressed excitement about the initiative. “Qantas customers will be the first to experience this great initiative through the Qantas App, in partnership with the Australian Government,” Larritt said.
“This is only the first step in a larger project to make the arrival experience more seamless for our customers.”
Brisbane Airport CEO, Gert-Jan de Graaff, added that the trial is a critical move towards elevating Australia’s travel experience to match the world’s top travel hubs. “We’re proud to play a part in shaping the future of seamless travel for everyone,” de Graaff said.
Currently, the pilot program is limited to Qantas passengers flying solo from Auckland to Brisbane, with further expansions planned to include other New Zealand cities like Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown.
The program will also likely expand to other Australian airports and may involve additional airlines as the project progresses.
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