Some flights between New Zealand and Australia have gone digital thanks to a new digital travel declaration pilot process launched on the 21st of October.
Eligible passengers can submit their Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) up to 72 hours before travelling. Providing their declarations electronically has streamlined biosecurity and customs clearances on arrival for compliant and low-risk travellers.
The first passengers to trial the digital forms arrived in Brisbane from Auckland, and additional flights from Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown joined them in the following weeks.
Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity, Operations, and Compliance Justine Saunders said it removed the compliant, low-risk passengers from the system.
“This new digital process helps streamline arrivals for travellers, and it allows our biosecurity officers to increase their focus on detecting non-compliance and managing risky goods,” said Saunders.
“We look forward to travellers being better informed about biosecurity requirements when packing and leaving high-risk goods offshore to enable a low-touchpoint clearance at the border.”
Travellers carrying high-risk biosecurity goods will still be referred to biosecurity screening to ensure the effective management of biosecurity risks and protect Australia’s unique environment, way of life, and agriculture businesses.
“We collaborated with Australian Border Force (ABF), Qantas and Brisbane Airport Corporation to make international arrivals easier for passengers.”
ABF Commissioner Michael Outram said the pilot was the first step toward a future of easier and more efficient travel in and out of Australia.
“There’s been collaboration with partner agencies and across the aviation and tourism sectors, and we are all committed to improving the traveller experience,” said Commissioner Outram.
“As we prepare to welcome the world to Brisbane for the 2032 Olympics, government and industry must work together – co-designing initiatives that will modernise our border. The Australia Travel Declaration lays the foundations for contactless travel, and we are excited by the possibilities it can bring to the future.”
For more information on biosecurity requirements when entering Australia, visit Travelling to Australia - DAFF
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