From March 19, 2025, the Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) pilot program has expanded to include eligible passengers on all international Qantas flights arriving at Brisbane Airport (BNE).
This initiative, led by the Australian Border Force (ABF) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and Qantas, aims to modernise border processing by replacing the traditional paper-based Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) with a seamless digital alternative.
ABF Commissioner Gavan Reynolds hailed the expansion as a milestone in Australia’s efforts to integrate technology into its border security framework.
“The expansion of the Australian Travel Declaration pilot program marks a significant advancement in our mission to modernise border processes and enhance the traveller experience,”
Commissioner Reynolds said.
“The positive feedback so far has demonstrated a clear demand for a more efficient and user-friendly approach. As we prepare for global events like the 2032 Olympics, the ABF is committed to using technology to create a seamless travel experience while maintaining our high standards of security and compliance.”
The ATD pilot program initially launched on October 21, 2024, for single-passenger bookings on Qantas flights from New Zealand to Brisbane. Last week, the program expanded to flights from Los Angeles Airport (LAX), and with today’s update, it now applies to all Qantas international flights arriving at BNE, covering both single and multi-passenger bookings.
Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity at DAFF, Justine Saunders, highlighted the program’s effectiveness in improving efficiency while strengthening Australia’s biosecurity framework.
“We are excited to partner with the ABF and Qantas in this innovative approach to managing biosecurity risk at the border,” Saunders said.
“Trial findings so far have demonstrated a more seamless traveler experience while allowing biosecurity officers to increase their focus on detecting non-compliance and managing risky goods.”
Passengers using the ATD can complete their digital declaration via the Qantas app before departure, receiving a digital pass with a QR code. Upon arrival in Brisbane, they present the QR code to ABF officers for streamlined clearance.
Qantas Group Chief Customer and Digital Officer, Catriona Larritt, emphasised the airline’s commitment to enhancing the customer experience.
“We’ve received positive feedback following the first phase of the Australia Travel Declaration pilot, so we know our customers will be pleased about this expansion of the program to all international inbound flights to Brisbane,”
Larritt said.
Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff also welcomed the initiative, particularly with the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon.
“We’re huge advocates at Brisbane Airport for modernising the border, so we’re excited to see the expansion of the digital arrival card program after such a successful pilot here last year,” de Graaff stated.
“With the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and major tourism growth fast approaching, we must do all we can to make people’s journey to Brisbane smooth, and modernizing and digitizing the border is an essential part of that.”
Since the program’s inception, nearly 12,000 passengers have used the digital declaration system. Many participants have expressed their approval, with responses such as “It’s about time,” “It made my life easier; I wasn’t reaching for that pen,” and “It was awesome; I’m already out.”
The ATD pilot at Brisbane Airport is expected to provide valuable insights into future expansions, potentially extending to other airports and airlines in Australia.
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