For Aussies looking to travel internationally, a new digital border pass will replace both the physical Incoming Passenger Card and the digital COVID-19 Australian Travel Declaration form.
To be rolled out in the coming months, the Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) will collect the passenger’s vaccination status up to 72 hours before boarding and provide digital authority for travel.
The new digital system will link in with QR code vaccination certificates, which will be introduced this month, so it can digitally give permission for vaccinated travellers to enter the country.
The vaccine certificates, which have been developed by Services Australia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, will connect with the DPD, which is being developed by the Department of Home Affairs, to allow for the collection of health information. The DPD will also allow the sharing of information about people’s travel, health and vaccine status with state and territory health authorities.
Travellers will be able to complete the DPD on their mobile device or computer.
A testing phase will be carried out before the DPD is deployed throughout Australia’s largest airports.