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The Australian government’s new Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) will replace the current Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) form from Friday, 18 February 2022. The DPD will also eventually replace the paper incoming passenger cards that currently need to be filled out on the plane when flying into Australia.
Everyone arriving in Australia on or after 18 February 2022 will need to submit a DPD within 72 hours prior to travelling. This form will collect health, COVID-19 testing and vaccination status information which will be shared with state and territory public health authorities.
The DPD can be completed on the Department of Home Affairs website. You can start filling in this form up to a week before your flight to Australia, but it can only be submitted within 72 hours of your flight. That’s because the government requires you to provide information on this form about your negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours (for PCR tests) or 24 hours (for rapid antigen tests) before departure.
To complete your Digital Passenger Declaration for travel to Australia, you’ll need:
- Your flight number
- Passport details
- Details of your travel history in the 14 days prior to your flight
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a medical exemption
- Your pre-departure COVID-19 test results
You’ll also need to be aware of any state-based testing or quarantine requirements that apply to your destination in Australia, as you’ll need to confirm you are aware of these requirements in your DPD.
Everyone arriving in Australia needs to complete a DPD, including children. Parents can complete the DPD on behalf of children under 16 years old.
Passengers arriving in Australia before 18 February 2022 should still complete the current Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) form. This online form was introduced during the pandemic and needs to be completed on either the Department of Home Affairs website or the Australia Travel Declaration mobile app between 7 days and 72 hours before departure.
During the transition period from 15-21 February 2022, passengers are allowed to present either an ATD or DPD.
The end of the incoming passenger card
In mid-2022, the Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) will also be expanded to replace the incoming passenger cards that are currently handed out on flights to Australia and need to be completed on arrival.
These yellow cards will still be around for a few more months. But around the middle of this year, questions relating to immigration, customers and biosecurity information will be added to the DPD – negating the need for the paper incoming passenger card.
For the Australian government, one advantage of the DPD is that screening questions will be able to be changed instantly if needed, e.g. due to changes in travel restrictions. Passengers will also be able to securely upload documents like COVID-19 vaccination certificates (currently required to travel to Australia without quarantine) to the platform.
Australia already phased out outgoing passenger cards in July 2017.
The Digital Passenger Declaration system will be rolled out on Tuesday. If you’re travelling to Australia from 18 February, you’ll need to wait until then to be able to submit your mandatory pre-departure declaration form.
Australia’s international border is reopening to vaccinated tourists on 21 February 2022, three days after the new DPD system is rolled out.
You can leave a comment or discuss this topic on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum.
