Why no outbound electronic immigration processing in AU?

[Sprucegoose]

I remember leaving NY through JFK and it took all of 15 seconds for an official to check my passport and I was done.

Yep they just want you to leave. It's a one way deal pal

 

[RooFlyer]

Outbound SmartGate is currently held up by design issues in the outwards clearance areas combined with the fact that children can't use SmartGate. As it was explained to me, there is no room to create multiple queues at SYD and MEL so they can't split the kids and adults to facilitate SmartGate.

As for the idea that A/an nationals should not have any outwards processing, Australians do not have a right to travel. Numerous Australians are subject to departure prohibition orders thanks to criminal proceeding against them or debts owed to the Commonwealth or under a court order. Outwards clearance is necessary to prevent the departure of those who should not be allowed to leave.

Yep. Also child custody orders etc. And because we are an island, it is worth enforcing. I have assumed countries like USA and in fact most others, they would like to do same, but given porous land borders, it wouldn't be worth the cost.

 

[simongr]

As for the idea that A/an nationals should not have any outwards processing, Australians do not have a right to travel. Numerous Australians are subject to departure prohibition orders thanks to criminal proceeding against them or debts owed to the Commonwealth or under a court order. Outwards clearance is necessary to prevent the departure of those who should not be allowed to leave.

That would be true of many countries - including the US.

 

[Deleted member]

Not an outgoing experience BUT for the second time in a row the smart gate into BNE was a big fail for me and Mrs GPH. We tried twice last week, failed on both attempts.
Ended up using the queue up.
Interesting point I have NZ passport. Mrs GPH has Aussie. Both attempts were a fail and we tried with specs on and specs off.
We were given some washy washy excuse about 98% success ....well I don't enjoy being in that exclusive 2% very much

 

[serfty]

My 95% success technique is to look directly at and stare at the Video screen whilst keeping my head perfectly still.

 

[Deleted member]

My 95% success technique is to look directly at and stare at the Video screen whilst keeping my head perfectly still.

I might agree if I were only one pax or even the same passports. But sorry one other waiting for bags mentioned they had same issue before and now gave up using it.
Maybe we all have early onset Parkinson's?

 

[serfty]

I might agree if I were only one pax or even the same passports. But sorry one other waiting for bags mentioned they had same issue before and now gave up using it.
Maybe we all have early onset 's?

I doubt the Parkinson's - maybe I just have a seriously unique round face.

I wuld suggest you start a serious dialogue with the powers that be - I mean it's in their financial interests that you are processed automatically as much as possible.

 

[Mal]

Add johnk to the list of people experiencing issues... he has a seperate thread on that.

For me I can't recall failing identification through smartgate in oz or nz. Maybe they have tightened up acceptance criteria recently.

 

[Deleted member]

It's not enough to change my life.
But implying I ( actually both of us) wasn't using It properly is nonsense.
I am usually not a fan of automated anything . I don't like self serve fuel, or self serve checkouts , But smart gate is a good idea.

 

[serfty]

It's not enough to change my life. ...

Apologies, I did not mean to imply anything like that at all. I was merely relating what generally works for me.

 

[flyingfan]

The budget provides funds to establish automated outbound immigration controls. There are some logistical issues at airports to work through (replacing staffed desks with SmartGates) but the technology is already in place for inwards and the principle is the same for outwards.