Adding 2 passports in APIS? Dual AU/US citizen flying EU->USA->Australia

[transpactraveller]

I'm not sure, but I've always wondered why Australia is so interested in my other nationality and getting my other passport details in their database. The other country does not care at all and never asks to see my Australian passport (well check-in staff do look at it to confirm I don't need a visa to travel etc, but it doesn't need to be linked up to my other passport in a government database)

 

[RealtimeY]

The US doesn't allow to use a different passport to enter at all... I'd say the Australian requirement is less onerous.

 

[transpactraveller]

This is upon departing Australia, not entering.

 

[Per_Travels]

Sorry - missed this question

Curious if you ever figured out this linking - will be wanting to do this at some point soon!

Short answer is no.
Last couple of trips to Saudi (where my visa in in my UK passport) I've put my UK passport into APIS. When I check in I then have to also show them my Australian passport to allow me to exit Australia. The slight pain/delay at the Australian end is better than the longer delay which happens on arrival in Saudi if I have my Australian passport in the system (with no visa in it)

 

[madrooster]

Hi, is this linking of a foreign passport to the Aussie one only possible during check-in by the airline staff calling BOC?

It has to be done just before a departure out of Australia.

I'm not sure, but I've always wondered why Australia is so interested in my other nationality and getting my other passport details in their database. The other country does not care at all and never asks to see my Australian passport (well check-in staff do look at it to confirm I don't need a visa to travel etc, but it doesn't need to be linked up to my other passport in a government database)

It's because we have outbound immigration smartgates. If you don't want the passports linked / don't want to give the foreign passport details to ABF, that's fine, you just have to exit on the Australian passport / deal with your destination and their requirements for Australian nationals.