Is the Australian Landing Card Still Necessary in the Written Form?

No matter how well thought out the digital arrival card is, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was ultimately let down by poor signage and nonsensical queue management.

Having recently arrived and used the digital card at AKL and CHC both for the first time, I found the entire arrivals and customs process much clearer and easier than SYD. As far as I could tell, the experience going through with the digital card was identical to the paper one, and you only need to hand them your passport, no QR necessary. The QR step feels like an over complication like our two step SmartGate…
 

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No matter how well thought out the digital arrival card is, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was ultimately let down by poor signage and nonsensical queue management.

Having recently arrived and used the digital card at AKL and CHC both for the first time, I found the entire arrivals and customs process much clearer and easier than SYD. As far as I could tell, the experience going through with the digital card was identical to the paper one, and you only need to hand them your passport, no QR necessary. The QR step feels like an over complication like our two step SmartGate…
Even more stupid at BNE where you get photo, with the throwaway image on paper, in 1 machine, then walk 3 steps straight ahead to the next machine. Digital arrival seems irrelevant.
 
Now extended to all Qantas International Brisbane arrivals:

Just saw it on 7news, they said it went better than expected and they're now in talks with SYD + MEL for the next phases of rollout as well as wider airlines rollout generally. (Seems to suggest SYD being the next airport).
 
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Just saw it on 7news, they said it went better than expected and they're now in talks with SYD + MEL for the next phases of rollout as well as wider airlines rollout generally. (Seems to suggest SYD being the next airport).
Stunning that some $30 million as wasted on the incompetence of the preferred contractor. Singapore did it for just a few million.
 
Trouble, so to speak, is that if my phone (as what happened the last time), didnt want to access any international networks, while I was in NZ, spent 3 days there last time, so couldnt have done the digital card for Aus, did the NZ one 3 days before I left for NZ from home laptop.
I had roaming credit too, but still Optus didnt want to link to any NZ mobile service provider.
Wonder how is the Aus one going to work if a person does not have access to data/secure wifi on smartphone... while overseas.
Might have to do it between getting off plane, and getting to immi.
As an Aus citizen, I just show my Aus passport to flight check in staff, to slip through their computer, or do it with the machine at AKL airport for AirNZ flight.
Aus citizen tho.
Hope at the least they keep the option of the paper declaration, for those who cant pre fill in the AeTD/what ever acronym they want to link to it now.
 


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