CEO of the Future Government Institute Victor Dominello says the paper dinosaur IPC is now one step closer to extinction. Photo: Victor Dominello LinkedIn.
The days of having to fill out paper incoming passenger cards (IPC) when flying into Australia from overseas appear numbered, with the expansion of the trial of a digital alternative.
Since the commencement of the trial of a digital Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) in Brisbane in October 2024, more than 70,000 passengers have arrived in Australia using that card.
Now, the trial will be expanded to selected flights from New Zealand arriving in Sydney, as the Australian Border Force (ABF) takes a crawl, walk, run approach to proving the technology.
From August, passengers arriving in Sydney aboard two inbound Qantas flights – QF144 from Auckland and QF122 from Queenstown – will be eligible to complete the ATD form via the Qantas app prior to travelling.
After completing the declaration, passengers will receive a digital pass with a QR code through the Qantas app and to their nominated email, which must then be shown to ABF and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) officers for a streamlined clearance through biosecurity and border controls.
The IPC has been described as a “paper dinosaur” by CEO of the Future Government Institute and former NSW Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello, one that he says is now “one step closer to extinction”.
It is hoped the IPC will be fully replaced nationally by a digital, biometric border by the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Tony Burke said the move would be welcomed by passengers.
“When people arrive in Sydney, I want them out of the airport and experiencing the city as fast as possible,” he said.
“Extending the trial to Australia’s busiest airport means every day, hundreds more passengers will have a more seamless travel experience.”
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said the expansion of the trial was another exciting step forward.
“This pilot is helping simplify traveller clearances while ensuring strong biosecurity protections at Australia’s borders,” she said.
“Expanding the pilot is a win-win for incoming travellers to Australia and for Australia’s proud agricultural industry which is protected by our world-renowned biosecurity system.”
The Sydney digital ATD trial is being rolled out initially on Qantas flights QF144 from Auckland and QF122 from Queenstown. Photo: Andrew McLaughlin.
ABF Commissioner Gav Reynolds said having the digital incoming passenger card pilot at Sydney Airport was a huge step forward for industry and passengers alike.
“Australia’s border agencies are striving towards efficient and modernised trade and travel,” he said.
“A significant amount of collaborative work between industry and government, has gone into this pilot program. It is now entering the next phase as we continue to enhance the passenger experience, creating a seamless travel capability.”
Qantas International & Freight CEO Cam Wallace said being the first Australian airline to introduce a digital replacement for the incoming passenger card was part of the airline’s commitment to creating a smoother travel experience for its customers.
“This is a significant step forward in simplifying the arrival process into Australia and the overwhelmingly positive response from our customers in Brisbane has demonstrated just how much demand there is for this innovation,” he said.
