A pilot program has been announced for an Australia Travel Declaration – a digital alternative to the paper incoming passenger card (IPC) for travellers into the country.

The Trans-Tasman Seamless Travel Group was established last year to deliver on the Australian and New Zealand's Prime Ministers' commitment to explore ways to move closer to seamless travel between the two countries.

Chaired by Australian Border Force (ABF) Commissioner Michael Outram and New Zealand Customs Service Chief Executive and Comptroller Christine Stevenson, the group brings together senior leaders from border agencies and industry – including major airlines, international airports, and tourism representatives.

Following broad consultation across the aviation and tourism sector, the group recently reported back to both Prime Ministers setting out a vision to work towards 'contactless travel' whereby passengers will be able to rely on digital credentials and facial recognition for quicker and easier progression through key steps at airports.

The group recommended development of a digital alternative to the paper incoming passenger card as an early priority.

The ABF and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) have been working closely with Qantas to pilot the Australia Travel Declaration for immigration, customs and biosecurity status on entry to Australia.

Later this year, eligible adult passengers on select Qantas flights from New Zealand will be invited to complete the declarations through the Qantas app, up to 72 hours prior to arrival.

This will expand to other airlines as the program progresses beyond the pilot stage.

Engaging passengers before they travel will provide them with the opportunity to leave goods that are a risk offshore, potentially improving their experience on arrival.

Once completed, passengers will receive a digital pass through the app and to their nominated email, which will include a QR code that can be shown to ABF officers on arrival.

Digitising the Incoming Passenger Card presents opportunities to streamline processes, improve data quality, and offer a seamless experience for users.

Australian Border Force said piloting the Australia Travel Declaration would allow it to gain valuable feedback from passengers that will help refine the product and inform future expansion.

The Trans-Tasman Seamless Travel Group is continuing to meet to discuss further short and long-term initiatives to enhance the passenger experience for trans-Tasman travellers.

A successful Australia Travel Declaration will be a key foundation for the future of streamlined and contactless travel.

ABF Commissioner Michael Outram said the Trans-Tasman Seamless Travel Group had brought together leaders and experts from across government and industry to work together to solve problems and innovate.

“The Australia Travel Declaration is the first initiative from the group and shows the power of a joint approach and leveraging expertise to modernise and improve the experience for travellers," Commissioner Outram said.

“We are excited by the possibilities this pilot program can open up for the future traveller experience – both in and out of Australia – and as we prepare to welcome the world when Brisbane hosts the Olympics in 2032.

“With this in our sights, we are continuing to collaborate with our agency partners and industry to set the global standard for traveller experience."

Qantas Group Chief Customer and Digital Officer Catriona Larritt, said: “We're proud to partner with the Australian Government and industry to be the first airline to facilitate a pilot of the digital Australia Travel Declaration.

“As a member of the Trans-Tasman Seamless Travel Group, we're always looking at ways to innovate and create a more efficient travel experience for our customers."

Tourism sector welcomes digital trial

The trial of digital incoming passenger cards was described as a ‘major win’ for the tourism industry by the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) Australia.

TTF CEO Margy Osmond said the pilot program was a fantastic first step towards more efficient travel across the Tasman.

“Finally, passengers landing in Australia won’t have to fill out a paper arrival card with a pen! The paper cards are a relic of the past and we can do much better in the digital age,” Ms Osmond said.

“These reforms will improve the airport experience for travellers when they arrive, whilst prioritising border security, through a more modern, efficient process, which we’ve long been advocating for.”

“Initially for Qantas passengers arriving from New Zealand later this year, we’re thrilled the pilot will eventually be expanded to other airlines as the program progresses.”