What the Incoming Passenger Card is, who has to fill one in, and exactly what to expect at the Australian border — there is nothing to arrange before you fly.
Everyone arriving in Australia must complete an Incoming Passenger Card — a short legal declaration handed out on your flight or available at the airport. Unlike some destinations, there is no online form to file in advance: below is exactly what the card covers and how to get it right at the border.
The Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) is a legal document that every traveller arriving in Australia must complete. It records who you are, your flight and where you will stay, and a set of customs, health and biosecurity declarations about what you are bringing into the country.
It is the small card cabin crew hand out before you land — and you give it to a Border Force officer when you reach the immigration and baggage area. There is no separate online version to submit beforehand.
Every passenger entering Australia must be covered by an Incoming Passenger Card — visitors, returning residents and citizens alike, arriving by air or by sea.
Australia has some of the strictest border and biosecurity rules in the world, and the card asks you to declare anything that could pose a risk. You will be asked whether you are carrying:
If you are unsure about an item, the safest answer is to declare it — declaring something is never an offence, but failing to is.
You do not need to prepare anything in advance. The card is handed out on board your flight or voyage before arrival, and printed cards are also available in the arrivals hall at Australian airports.
Complete it in English using a pen while you travel, keep it with your passport, and present it to an officer at the border. Some airports also offer SmartGate and incoming-passenger technology, but the paper card remains the standard declaration.
The Incoming Passenger Card is a legal declaration. Giving false or misleading information — or failing to declare something you should have — is a serious offence and can lead to on-the-spot fines, penalties or prosecution.
The official source of truth is the Australian Border Force. You can read their guidance on the Incoming Passenger Card page.
Your name and details as printed, for each traveller on the card.
The number of the flight or vessel you are arriving on.
Where you will be staying — the first hotel or address works.
What you are carrying so you can answer the customs and biosecurity questions accurately.
Cabin crew hand out the Incoming Passenger Card before arrival.
Complete it in English and answer every customs and biosecurity question honestly.
Present it with your passport at the border when you arrive.
Crew give out the card before you land — nothing to download or file beforehand.
The Incoming Passenger Card itself is free; you simply fill it in and hand it over.
When in doubt, declare it — Australia protects against pests and disease, and declaring is never penalised.
No. Unlike some countries, Australia does not have an online version to submit in advance. The card is handed to you on your flight or available at the airport, and you complete it on paper.
Each adult completes their own card. A parent or guardian can complete the card on behalf of accompanying children.
Declare it. Declaring an item is never an offence and an officer will tell you if it is fine to bring in. Failing to declare something you should have can lead to fines or prosecution.
No. The card itself is free to complete. It is part of the normal arrival process at the Australian border.
The Australian Border Force is the official source. See their Incoming Passenger Card guidance for the current requirements before you travel.
There's nothing to arrange in advance — your Incoming Passenger Card is part of arrival, and this guide covers what to expect at the border.