The Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) pilot program has entered a new phase.
After an initial launch in October 2024, followed by an expansion to eligible travelers heading to Brisbane and Sydney in August 2025, the digital arrival declaration is now being offered on selected international flights to Melbourne.
According to the statement issued by Australian authorities, the expansion initially applies to passengers arriving at Melbourne Airport on Qantas flights QF154 and QF178, from Auckland and Queenstown respectively. Eligible travelers are invited to complete their declaration directly through the Qantas app up to 72 hours before departure.
A digital alternative to the paper arrival card
The Australia Travel Declaration is designed to replace, for eligible passengers, the paper card normally completed upon arrival in Australia. Once the declaration has been submitted, travelers receive a digital pass by email containing a unique QR code.
That code must then be presented on arrival to officers from the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Eligible passengers no longer need to complete the incoming passenger card, a change intended to make border and biosecurity checks easier and more efficient.
The system remains limited to certain flights and certain travelers. It does not yet amount to a full rollout of the digital declaration for all international arrivals in Australia.
More than 380,000 digital declarations since launch
The pilot is being led by the ABF in partnership with DAFF and Qantas. Since its launch, it has already been used by more than 380,000 passengers, according to figures released by the authorities and the airline.
Julian Hill, Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, welcomed Melbourne’s inclusion in the program, saying that “getting rid of the paper arrival card on eligible flights into Sydney and Brisbane has been enormously popular with international travellers.”
He described the addition of Melbourne as “the next step in providing a more seamless experience at our borders for Australians and visitor alike.”
Hill also said the government was “firmly committed to modernising Australia’s airport arrivals,” adding that digitalizing the incoming passenger card allows border agencies to engage with passengers before they travel, “helping to ensure security and biosecurity risks remain offshore.”
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins also framed the expansion as part of Australia’s border modernization efforts.
“This expansion of the digital Australia Travel Declaration system is an important step in improving and streamlining biosecurity compliance and enforcement,” Collins said.
She added that including Melbourne Airport in the pilot would “continue to help simplify traveller clearances while ensuring strong protections are in place at Australia’s border.”
For the minister, “the expansion is a win for all incoming travellers, and a win for Australia’s world-renowned biosecurity system.”
More Melbourne flights to be added
For Qantas, the expansion to Melbourne marks another step in modernizing the passenger experience. Rachel Yangoyan, Qantas Chief Technology, AI and Transformation Officer, noted that Melbourne is one of the airline’s busiest international ports.
“Melbourne is one of our busiest international ports and offering the Australia Travel Declaration here is another way we are improving the arrival experience for our customers,” Yangoyan said.
She said that since launch, Qantas has seen more than 380,000 digital declaration submissions through its app, with traveler feedback “incredibly positive.”
Qantas is currently the only Australian airline offering the feature. Yangoyan said the airline looks forward to continuing to work with the federal government “to expand access to more flights and more ports.”
Australian authorities say additional Qantas international flights to Melbourne will be added in the coming weeks. The Australian Border Force will continue working with DAFF and Melbourne Airport as the pilot program continues.
For Melbourne Airport, the expansion addresses a major operational challenge. CEO Lorie Argus said the international arrivals process is “one of our biggest passenger pain points,” adding that the airport is pleased to see the trial extended to Melbourne.
“We’re committed to working with the Federal Government, its agencies and the airlines to streamline the arrivals process and deliver a seamless border experience for travellers,” Argus said.
