Filling in the Australian arrival card: what you cannot bring in and what border officers ask

The paper Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) is still used at most Australian airports. It must be completed in English, and you must declare all food, plant material and animal products you carry. Declaring carries no penalty, but hiding items can lead to fines, visa cancellation or a ban on returning.

How do you fill in the arrival card, and when does it go digital?

Australian Border Force (ABF) provides printable sample cards in other languages to help you understand the questions. Check the ABF site for a translated sample, but the card you hand in must be written in English.

Its digital replacement is the Australia Travel Declaration (ATD), piloted since 2024 on Qantas flights into Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane through the Qantas app. You can submit up to 72 hours before departure and receive a QR code. ABF says it will reach all international airports and seaports before the end of 2027, with Perth and Adelaide next.

What can't you bring in, and which Thai items cause problems?

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry requires you to declare food, plant material and animal products, plus footwear or equipment used near farms or animals. The rule of thumb is simple: if unsure, declare.

Bags are X-rayed and checked by detector dogs. If you realise you forgot something, drop it in an amnesty bin before screening and you will not be penalised.

What do border officers ask, can you use SmartGate, and must you declare cash?

Officers commonly ask why you are visiting, how long you will stay, where you are staying and your onward ticket. Keep your booking and ticket ready on your phone or printed, and answer briefly and consistently with your visa application.

ABF says ePassport holders of any nationality aged 7 or over and at least 1.1 m tall can use arrivals SmartGates; under-16s must be with a parent or guardian. Thai ePassports qualify, so you may be able to use SmartGate, but you can still be directed to an officer.

Large amounts of cash above the official threshold must be declared when arriving or leaving; check the current threshold on the ABF site.

If you are unsure about an item, tick the declare box on the card and tell the officer directly. The officer will inspect it and decide. Declaring too much costs you nothing, while failing to declare can cost you the whole trip. Pack food in a place that is easy to reach so the check stays quick.

Do Thais need a visa to transit through Australia?

Home Affairs lists Thailand among the nationalities eligible to transit without a visa (TWOV). If you do not meet every condition below, you need a Transit visa (subclass 771) or a visitor visa.

• Arrive by air
• Hold a confirmed onward flight to a third country within 8 hours of arrival
• Hold the documents needed for the destination
• Do not leave the transit lounge or clear immigration for any reason, such as collecting bags, changing terminals or staying overnight

How do you claim a tax refund when leaving (TRS)?

ABF's Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) lets departing travellers claim back GST and WET on eligible goods taken out of Australia. Claim at the TRS facility after passport control with your passport, boarding pass and tax invoices; the TRS app lets you enter details in advance.

It is not available on domestic flights or for transit passengers.

How does your phone help at the Australian border?

Save your hotel booking, onward ticket and visa details offline on your phone, because airport Wi-Fi can be slow or need registration. If you use the ATD through the Qantas app, you must be able to show the QR code.

Before flying, check that your phone supports Triple Zero (000) calls over VoLTE, because unsupported handsets can be blocked on Australian networks whatever SIM or eSIM is used. Install the Emergency+ app too. Once the handset is confirmed, choose a data plan for the trip.

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