Many travelers only learn about this form after boarding their flight. However, the Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) is a mandatory document that every international traveler must complete before entering Australia.
Providing incorrect information or failing to declare certain items can result in hefty fines, denied entry, or even visa cancellation upon arrival.
What Is the Incoming Passenger Card?
The Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) is an official form issued by the Australian Border Force (ABF) that must be completed by all passengers arriving in Australia.
The orange-colored form serves as an immigration, customs, and biosecurity declaration in a single document. Its legal basis is established under the Migration Act 1958 and the Migration Regulations 1994.
The form collects personal information, travel details, and declarations about items being brought into Australia.
For certain travelers, such as New Zealand citizens, it may also function as part of the application process for a Special Category Visa.
Who Must Complete It?
Almost everyone arriving in Australia by air or sea is required to complete an IPC.
Exceptions are very limited and generally apply only to transit passengers who do not pass through immigration.
Those required to complete the form include:
- Tourists traveling with a visa or visa-free entry arrangements
- International students and work visa holders
- Australian citizens and permanent residents returning from overseas
- Cruise ship passengers disembarking at Australian ports
Digital Version: Australia Travel Declaration (ATD)
In 2026, Australia began piloting the Australia Travel Declaration (ATD), a digital alternative to the paper IPC. The ATD can be accessed through the Qantas app and completed up to 72 hours before departure.
Currently, the ATD is only available to selected Qantas passengers arriving in Brisbane and Sydney. Once submitted, travelers receive a QR code that can be scanned by border officials upon arrival.
Passengers who are not eligible for the ATD must still complete the paper IPC.
Information You'll Need When Completing the Form
To make the process quick and smooth, prepare the following information in advance:
- Full name exactly as shown on your passport
- Passport number and nationality
- Flight details, including flight number and arrival date
- Full address of your accommodation in Australia
- Purpose of visit (tourism, business, visiting family, etc.)
- Emergency contact information and active email address
- Any required health declarations
Items That Must Be Declared
Australia has some of the strictest biosecurity regulations in the world. Many seemingly harmless items must be declared to help prevent pests and diseases from entering the country's ecosystem.
Items that must be declared include:
- Any food items, including snacks, candy, spices, and packaged foods
- Animal products such as dairy products, processed meat, or animal skins
- Plants, seeds, herbs, and herbal products
- Wooden, bamboo, or handmade items made from natural materials
- Prescription medications accompanied by supporting documentation
- Cash totaling AUD 10,000 or more
- Camping or outdoor equipment that may contain soil, sand, or organic matter
What Happens If You Fail to Declare?
Failing to declare restricted or prohibited items is taken very seriously in Australia. The Australian Border Force is known for its strict zero-tolerance approach to biosecurity violations.
Potential penalties include:
- On-the-spot fines starting from AUD 3,000
- Cancellation of a tourist visa and immediate deportation
- Temporary bans from entering Australia
- Criminal prosecution for serious offenses
Tips for a Smooth Immigration Process
The simplest strategy is to be honest and declare anything you're unsure about.
Australian border officials are generally far more lenient toward travelers who declare items voluntarily—even if those items are confiscated—than toward those who attempt to conceal them.
- Complete the form during your flight rather than while waiting in the immigration line.
- Bring your own pen, as airlines may not always have enough available.
- Use capital letters and write clearly.
- If you're unsure whether an item needs to be declared, answer "Yes."
- Dispose of any leftover food in designated biosecurity bins before reaching immigration.
- Save your hotel address on your phone for easy reference when filling out the form.
With proper preparation, completing the Incoming Passenger Card takes only about five minutes.
This small effort can save hours at immigration and help you avoid potentially serious issues with Australian authorities.
