More efficient trans-Tasman travel is on the horizon after a recommendation was accepted to start a pilot program for digital incoming passenger card
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. Piloting the Australia Travel Declaration will allow us 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.
“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.”
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.