Ahead of reopening its international borders, Australia has introduced a Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD), replacing the Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) that passengers are currently using. International travellers flying into Australia will have to complete a digital arrival card from Friday, February 18.
Home Affairs boss Mike Pezzullo announced the launch of reporting through the platform on Monday, as the government prepares to reopen borders on February 21.
“The digital passenger declaration – or DPD capability – will be released tomorrow,” Pezzullo told Senate estimates on Monday.
Pezzullo said the DPD would initially replace the Australian Travel Declaration (ATD), which has been in place since the beginning of the pandemic.
The ATD collects information about a person, including their vaccination status and travel history. It must be submitted by a traveller at least 72 hours before departure.
As the transition from ATD to DPD takes place, here is what passengers need to know:
- If you arrive in Australia before February 18 2022, please continue to submit an Australia Travel Declaration.
- If you arrive in Australia on or after February 18 2022, you must submit a DPD. More information will be available on the Australian Home Affairs website from 10 am AEDT, February 15.
“Subsequent releases” of the DPD capability are then expected to see the paper-based incoming passenger card replaced, Pezzullo said.
Later in the day, he said having a “fully integrated the incoming passenger card” that is integrated with border systems is “a technology step still to go”.
“At the end of June, the DPD will be complete and will be integrated with our backend systems,” he told estimates.
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 before boarding using a mobile device or computer.
