New travel change to affect millions heading to Australia

By NICHOLAS COMINO, POLITICAL REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 13:50, 12 July 2026 | Updated: 13:55, 12 July 2026 Millions of international travellers heading to Australia will soon no longer need to fill out paper passenger cards, as the Albanese Government rolls out a $56.1 million nationwide digital arrivals system. On Sunday, the federal government announced plans to replace the long-running incoming passenger card with the Australia Travel Declaration, following a trial involving more than 450,000 passengers arriving on eligible Qantas flights. The new digital declaration allows travellers to submit their details electronically before arriving in Australia. The pilot program began in October 2024 and was tested on inbound Qantas services landing in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The government said the trial had been a significant success, with plans to expand to Perth and Adelaide before the end of 2026. The Australia Travel Declaration will then be introduced across all international airports and seaports in stages over the next 12 to 18 months. Initially, travellers will access the system through a web-based form, with additional in-app capabilities planned as the government works with industry. Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell said the change would make the arrival process smoother for visitors. The change was tested in a program with 450,000 Qantas passengers The Australian Incoming Passenger Card (pictured) is set to go digital after a two-year trial  'Making arrivals simpler and quicker means visitors can spend less time filling out forms and more time enjoying everything Australia has to offer,' Farrell said. Acting Minister for Transport Kristy McBain said the days of 'scrambling for a pen on the plane' were now numbered.  Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the new system would streamline arrivals while maintaining national security. 'When people arrive in Australia, I want them out of the airport and experiencing the best place in the world as fast as possible,' Burke said. 'Traveller modernisation is essential to Australia's prosperity and national security.' Collecting passenger information digitally before arrival will also provide agencies with more accurate data for risk assessments and help identify potential concerns before travellers reach Australian shores. The government said the investment was necessary to help border agencies manage rising traveller numbers, particularly as Australia prepares to host the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the digital declaration would strengthen Australia's biosecurity regime while improving the travel experience. The government said the digital passenger declaration would streamline arrivals to Australia  'The Australia Travel Declaration will strengthen Australia's biosecurity by providing better quality information earlier, helping us identify and respond to potential biosecurity risks before they reach our shores,' Collins said. 'This investment ensures Australia's border keeps pace with growing traveller numbers and emerging global biosecurity threats, helping protect our world-leading biosecurity system while delivering a better experience for international travellers.'