Australia: Digital Arrival Declaration (ATD) Effective October 26 for All Airlines at Western Sydney Airport

Starting October 26, 2026, Australia’s digital entry declaration, the Australia Travel Declaration (ATD), will be available for the first time at the new Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird Walton) Airport for travelers on all airlines. Until now, the web-based process had been reserved exclusively for Qantas passengers as part of a pilot project. With the launch in Western Sydney, this restriction will be lifted for the first time—an important step toward the nationwide rollout of the digital entry declaration in Australia.

The new airport will begin passenger operations on October 25, 2026, initially with a domestic Jetstar flight to the Gold Coast. The following day, October 26, Air New Zealand will launch international flight operations with an arrival from Auckland—coinciding with the introduction of the new digital entry declaration. This makes Western Sydney the first Australian airport where the ATD can be completed online regardless of the airline booked.

For travelers, this development means that entry formalities upon arrival in Australia are increasingly being digitized. The Australia Travel Declaration will eventually replace the previous paper-based entry card and will be submitted online prior to arrival. Those entering via Western Sydney will thus be among the first to benefit from a fully digital process, regardless of which airline they fly with.

It is important to distinguish the ATD from the actual entry visa: The entry declaration does not replace the visa requirement but supplements it as an additional digital registration step shortly before or upon arrival. Travelers still need a valid visa to enter Australia—such as an ETA for Australia or an eVisitor for Australia—depending on their nationality and purpose of travel. We handle the entire application process for the appropriate visa type on behalf of our customers, ensuring that all entry requirements are met correctly and in a timely manner.

Since the rollout of the ATD is currently limited to a single airport, travelers arriving via other Australian airports should continue to follow the procedures applicable to their specific arrival route. It is expected that the digital process will gradually expand to additional airports and airlines in the coming months; however, official details regarding the timeline for a nationwide rollout are not yet available.

For anyone planning a trip to Australia, it is advisable to obtain the necessary entry documents well in advance. In addition to tourist visas, Australia offers other visa categories, such as those for business trips, transit stays, or extended work and vacation stays, which can be viewed in the visa overview for Australia. If you’re unsure which visa is required for your planned trip, you can conveniently submit your application using our visa application form—we’ll review your documents and ensure your application is submitted correctly and on time.