Paper card or digital declaration
| Incoming Passenger Card | Australia Travel Declaration | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Most passengers | Invited Qantas passengers into Brisbane, and selected flights into Sydney and Melbourne |
| Where | Paper card on the plane or ship, or in the arrival terminal | The Qantas app |
| When | Before you reach immigration | Up to 72 hours before departure to Australia |
| Cost | Free | Free |
To use the digital declaration you need to be a Qantas app user, able to complete it in English, and eligible to use the SmartGates. Paper cards stay available at the airport.
Filling it in for your family
The card must be completed in English and signed. A parent or guardian can complete it on behalf of a child, and a carer can complete it for a traveller with special needs.
Do you need a visa as well?
- New Zealand passport: no application. You're granted a Special Category Visa on arrival if you meet the criteria.
- US, Canadian and Japanese passports: an ETA (subclass 601), A$20, only in the official Australian ETA app.
- British citizens: a free eVisitor (subclass 651), applied for online.
- Other passports: check the official Visa Finder before you book.
Biosecurity
Declare all food, plant material and animal products, or put them in the amnesty bins at the airport. Penalties apply for items you don't declare.
Questions travellers ask
Do Australians fill in an Incoming Passenger Card when coming home?
Yes. Most passengers arriving in Australia complete one, including Australian citizens. Australian citizens who refuse can be penalised.
Can I do the Australian arrival card online?
Only if you're invited to the Australia Travel Declaration trial in the Qantas app, on Qantas flights into Brisbane and selected flights into Sydney and Melbourne. Everyone else uses the paper card.
Can I fill in the card for my children?
Yes. A parent or guardian can complete the Incoming Passenger Card on behalf of a child.
How much does an Australian ETA cost?
A$20, applied for only in the official Australian ETA app. Be wary of websites that charge more to lodge it for you.
Official sources
- Incoming Passenger Card (Australian Border Force)
- Australia Travel Declaration FAQs (Australian Border Force)
- ETA subclass 601 (Department of Home Affairs)
- eVisitor subclass 651 (Department of Home Affairs)
- Visa Finder (Department of Home Affairs)
Last checked 2 October 2026. Rules can change at short notice, so always confirm on the official site before you travel. WayReady is not a government agency.