Passengers coming to Australia will have to fill in a digital arrival card in place of the current paper card and will be able to complete the form on their mobile device or computer.
International travellers landing in Australia will have to complete a digital arrival card from Friday, 18 February. Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) will replace the Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) that is currently being used by passengers.
While the transition from ATD to DPD takes place, here is what passengers need to know:
- If you are arriving in Australia before 18 February 2022, please continue to submit an Australia Travel Declaration.
- If you are arriving in Australia on, or after 18 February 2022, you will need to submit a DPD. More information will be available on the Australian Home Affairs website from 10 am AEDT, 15 February.
Follow NRI Affairs on Facebook and Twitter for latest updates. Support us on Patreon.
Department of Home Affairs secretary, Michael Pezzullo told a Senate estimate hearing on Monday that paper-based arrival cards would be phased out from the end of this week.
“The DPD will be a key tool in facilitating our reopening at ever-increasing scales,” Mr Pezzullo said on Monday.
With the introduction of DPD, passengers will no longer be required to complete the paper card mid-flight. Their personal information and vaccination status will be collected up to 72 hours prior to boarding, using a mobile device or computer. Questions on the form could be modified when required to reflect changing travel restrictions and overseas risks.
It is also designed to replace separate COVID-19 declaration forms. The government has been in the line of fire for delay in rolling out this system. In December 2020, a departmental briefing for Immigration Minister Alex Hawke had said the DPD would be in place from July 2021.
