ABF boss Gavan Reynolds committed to ditching paper arrival cards

Border Force Commissioner Gavan Reynolds has committed to ‘going digital’ at every international port and airport and getting rid of paper arrival cards for visitors.

ABF Commissioner Gavan Reynolds wants to modernise traveller declarations. Picture: Martin Ollman

The new boss of Australian Border Force will roll out digital arrival cards on flights from the United States next month, as he pledges paper cards and pencils will be a thing of the past.

News Corp can reveal all Qantas flights from the US into Brisbane will use the digital system already on trial for Qantas flights from New Zealand to Brisbane.

The system will then be rolled out into other capital cities in coming months, with Sydney next on the list.

The trial means people arriving on these flights will no longer need to fill in a physical Incoming Passenger Card declaring where they will stay and what goods they have brought into the country.

Commissioner Gavan Reynolds said he is committed to “going digital” at every international port and airport during his five-year tenure.

Border Force Commissioner Gavan Reynolds wants to ‘go digital’ and ditch the paper cards passengers now fill out to enter the country. Picture: Martin Ollman

“I want to get rid of that paper incoming passenger card and go digital because it’s better for passengers and it’s a far more effective way of managing people coming into the country, it hardens the border,” he said.

“We’re looking to increase it to other ports later in the year, but once again, it’s my responsibility to find the money and the resources.”

The digital Australian Travel Declaration Pass.

The Australian Border Force announced the trial program for the digital alternative, called the Australia Travel Declaration, in August last year.

Passengers provide their details in the Qantas app and are sent a QR code to show Border Force officers.

The trial is currently funded through Border Force and Qantas as part of the co-funding arrangements with industry to ensure Border Force can roll out modernisation projects.

In the long term the app would need to be universal for all airlines.

Mr Reynolds said digital entry meant his workforce had a better understanding at an earlier point in time of “who is entering the country and what they say they are bringing in”.

“The current system relies very heavily on knowledge and experience of individuals to spot differences, problems, or something out of the ordinary, but they have a small window of time from when they go through the process and end up out in the baggage hall.

“So if you’re on a flight from North America, that’s going to take 14 hours and you digitally put it in your information before you arrive, that gives us a much better chance.

“That’s a really attractive option to me.”

Travel and tourism experts support the program saying it will lead to more efficient travel.

Originally published as ABF boss Gavan Reynolds committed to ditching paper arrival cards