Smartgate and children - something I didn't know

[Warks]

We recently travelled to NZ and back with two kids in their mid teens (under 16) and on arrival in NZ the kids could go through the Smartgate - no age restrictions we could see. On our return to SYD on the weekend we arrived with hundreds of others in the early morning and after the unexpected Ebola survey, jumped on the nearest machine and got our tickets. We then proceeded to immigration where the Smartgate sign said "no children under 16 years" - information which would have been useful before we got our tickets.

So then we queued with all and sundry for some 30-40 minutes before getting to the immigration officer who saw our tickets and said straight away "why didn't you go through the Smartgate?" We reported the sign said "no under 16s" to which he replied - "your kids are old enough to fool it" and then said we could have problems next time we enter or leave the country as we registered on the machine but didn't 'complete'. He said the Smartgate age is set at 16 to stop people with little kids trying to go through as they'd be too short for the camera - "over 10 is fine".

All of this was handy info to have and I'm certain we're not the first arrivals to do this but why did it seem as though we were? I am amazed. So you can ignore all that stuff if you have 'smart' passports and your kids are tall enough. They could make it clearer - would have saved us more than an hour in the end (missed train home etc).

 

[markis10]

They are currently testing the use by 10-16 year olds:

• Under trial arrangements, you can also use SmartGate if you hold:
  • a Switzerland (Swiss), Canadian or Irish ePassport, and are aged 16 years or over.
  • an Australian ePassport, are aged 10-15 years old and are travelling with a minimum of two adults.
• http://www.customs.gov.au/smartgate/default.asp#whoSmartGate

 

[robd]

So the moral of the story is that if you are under sixteen, you can "fool" immigration? Well that's reassuring

 

[moa999]

So the signs are incorrect then

 

[Pushka]

But can you imagine the lecture if you did go through the signs as a 15 year old if you struck someone who was having a "Didn't you see the sign" day.

 

[Warks]

But can you imagine the lecture if you did go through the signs as a 15 year old if you struck someone who was having a "Didn't you see the sign" day.

Exactly what we thought!

 

[Himeno]

If age has nothing to do with it, only their height, then they should replace the "no under 16's" signs with "you must be x tall to use" signs.

 

[iRobbo]

Came through Brisbane mid December with our kids (13 & 15) and were told to use Smartgate. Queried and told ok, used it with no problems at all. We also were under the impression kids had to be 16 or more.

 

[Denali]

If age has nothing to do with it, only their height, then they should replace the "no under 16's" signs with "you must be x tall to use" signs.

Like the clown signs at amusement parks?

I would have thought the answer would be to stop parents removing children from the country but nope, its an IT issue as per usual.

 

[kpc]

So why do children aged between 10 and 15 need to be travelling with 2 adults? Doesn't make sense to me...

 

[Pushka]

So why do children aged between 10 and 15 need to be travelling with 2 adults? Doesn't make sense to me...

I guess for some kind of control at the gates?

 

[markis10]

So why do children aged between 10 and 15 need to be travelling with 2 adults? Doesn't make sense to me...

Legals I imagine, so an adult can supervise, public service idea I suspect.

 

[Warks]

Or if both parents are there the child(ren) is (are) not being abducted overseas by one parent?

 

[Pushka]

Or if both parents are there the child(ren) is (are) not being abducted overseas by one parent?

But that would mean a parent couldn't solo travel with a child.

Getting (and I suspect keeping in cases of separation) a child's passport is tricky.

 

[Warks]

But that would mean a parent couldn't solo travel with a child.

Getting (and I suspect keeping in cases of separation) a child's passport is tricky.

Well they could but would have to undergo the scrutiny of the immigration official rather than breeze through the machines I guess.

 

[acoolbreeze]

If age has nothing to do with it, only their height, then they should replace the "no under 16's" signs with "you must be x tall to use" signs.

It has everything to do with it as its facial recognition. Facial characteristics change with children as they grow, much less with adults.
People in wheelchairs can use it so height isn't an issue. The lowest camera is at about 4ft and can lower.

 

[acoolbreeze]

So why do children aged between 10 and 15 need to be travelling with 2 adults? Doesn't make sense to me...

So if the child gets through and the single parent doesn't and gets referred for manual processing (or the parent gets through and the child gets referred) they aren't separated. With two parents you can have parent, child and parent go through.
Could be a little harrowing for either or both during busy periods.

 

[Sprucegoose]

If age has nothing to do with it, only their height, then they should replace the "no under 16's" signs with "you must be x tall to use" signs.

Doesn't the passport get read and age calculated ?

 

[Himeno]

Doesn't the passport get read and age calculated ?

If that was the case, then they wouldn't be able to have 14 and 15 year olds able to "fool" the system.

 

[Princess Fiona]

We used the Smartgate system on arrival at SYD last night. Two youngest girls are 12 and 10. My 10yr old is pretty short for her age. It worked fine - except for me offering a few people in the queue their eyes back for staring out my mini-me

I have to say however that I think a lower age limit of 10 is being a teensy bit ambitious. The child has to do the entire process by themselves, parent not permitted to walk forward and make sure they are standing in the right spot, inserting the ticket correctly. Mini-me managed with a little verbal coaching from behind but I think a grumpy jet-lagged 10 year old at the end of a long haul might struggle a bit.