Arriving in Australia: passport control, customs and biosecurity

Your first hour in Australia is mostly queues and questions. None of it is hard, but it helps to know what’s coming. This guide covers the steps every international airport has in common: passport control, your passenger card, customs and biosecurity.

Once you’re through, the guide for your airport takes over, with meeting points, getting to the city and your first night.

The order of steps after you land

After you leave the plane, it goes like this (Tourism Australia):

1. Passport control. You use a SmartGate or see an officer.
2. Baggage collection. You pick up your checked bags.
3. Customs and biosecurity. An officer collects your passenger card and may ask what you’re bringing.
4. The arrivals hall. You’re out, and you can meet whoever is collecting you.

Take your time. Queues can feel long after a long flight, but nobody you’re meeting can do anything until you’re through, so there’s no point rushing.

Before you land

A few minutes on the plane makes the rest much easier.

• Keep your passport in your hand luggage. You’ll show it at passport control, and you’ll want it again as ID for a SIM.
• Fill in your passenger card if the cabin crew hand one out (more on that below).
• Write down where you’re staying: the full address and a phone number. You’ll want the address again when you set up a SIM, because the provider checks your name, date of birth and address (ACMA).
• Think about what’s in your bags, especially food, plants, animal products and medicines. You’ll be declaring them.

Passport control and SmartGates

Most travellers with a valid passport can use the automated SmartGates instead of queuing for an officer. Children aged 7 to 15 can use them too, but they must be with a parent or guardian (Australian Border Force).

If you can’t use a SmartGate, you see an officer instead. Either way, have your passport ready.

Your passenger card and the Australia Travel Declaration

Most flights still use the paper Incoming Passenger Card. The cabin crew hand it out before landing, you fill it in on the plane, and you give it to the officer at the customs point (Tourism Australia).

Australia is replacing the paper card with a digital Australia Travel Declaration. On some Qantas flights you can already complete it in the Qantas app, up to 72 hours before you fly, and it’s due at all international airports before the end of 2027 (Australian Border Force).

Follow whatever your airline tells you. If you’re handed a paper card, fill it in.

Biosecurity: declaring food, plants and animal products

You must declare food, plant material and animal products when you arrive (Department of Agriculture).

The simple rule: if you’re unsure about an item, declare it. Declaring everything, even things that aren’t allowed, means you won’t be penalised. Not declaring can lead to a fine, or even your visa being cancelled (Department of Agriculture).

Here’s a made-up example. Priya’s grandmother packed her a jar of homemade pickle and some dried spices. Priya isn’t sure whether they’re allowed, so she declares them on her card and tells the officer what she has. Even if an item turns out not to be allowed, Priya isn’t penalised, because she declared it.

Bringing your medicines

Declare all your medicines when you arrive. You can bring up to 3 months’ supply for your own use (Office of Drug Control).

To make it straightforward:

• Keep each medicine in its original packaging, with the pharmacy label.
• Carry a prescription or a letter from your doctor naming the medicine and the dose.
• Any medicine containing codeine needs a prescription or doctor’s letter (Office of Drug Control).

Then at your airport

Once you’re in the arrivals hall, the guide for your airport covers meeting someone, getting to the city, paying for transport, a SIM and your first night:

• Sydney Airport arrival guide
• Melbourne Airport arrival guide
• Brisbane Airport arrival guide
• Adelaide Airport arrival guide

Frequently asked questions

What happens after I get off the plane?

Passport control first, then you collect your bags, then customs and biosecurity, where an officer collects your passenger card. After that you’re in the arrivals hall.

Can I use a SmartGate?

Most travellers with a valid passport can. Children aged 7 to 15 can too, as long as they’re with a parent or guardian.

Do I still need to fill in a paper passenger card?

On most flights, yes: the cabin crew hand it out before landing. A digital Australia Travel Declaration is being rolled out, so follow what your airline tells you.

What if I declare something that isn’t allowed?

You won’t be penalised for declaring it. Not declaring something can lead to a fine, or even your visa being cancelled.

Can I bring my medicines with me?

Yes, up to 3 months’ supply for your own use. Declare them, keep them in their original packaging with the pharmacy label, and carry a prescription or a letter from your doctor.