1. What is a passenger card?
A passenger card is a document providing passenger identification and an effective record of a person’s entry to and departure from Australia.

Passenger cards to be completed are:
1. an Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) for travellers entering Australia
2. an Outgoing Passenger Card (OPC) for travellers departing Australia.

Passenger cards also serve as:
• a declaration in relation to health and character requirements for non-Australian citizens
• an application form for Special Category Visa applicants and Norfolk Island Permanent Residents.

2. Who needs Passenger Card?
Most travellers are required to complete and present a passenger card when entering or departing Australia. However, particular people are exempt from completing a passenger card (as prescribed in regulation 3.06 and schedule 9 of the Migration Regulations).

Australian citizens who refuse to complete an IPC may be penalised. Non-Australian citizens may be penalised and refused immigration clearance.

Filling a passenger card in English:
Passenger cards must be completed in English. Travellers requiring assistance to complete passenger cards can download printable sample versions of both the IPC, including translations, and the OPC.

See: Passenger Cards Samples

3. Filling an Passenger Card on Arrival:
Travellers entering Australia are required to accurately provide the following information on both sides of the IPC:
1. family/surname, given names and passport number
2. flight number or name of ship
3. intended address in Australia
4. if they intend to live in Australia for the next 12 months
5. declarations relating to customs and quarantine.
6. the country in which they boarded the flight/vessel
7. their date of birth and usual occupation
8. nationality as shown on their passport
9. contact details in Australia and emergency contact details.

Travellers are required to sign and date the IPC, and are also required to correctly answer additional questions concerning their migration status, health status and any prior criminal convictions. For non-Australian citizens, providing false information can affect their visa status.

4. Filling an outgoing passenger card:
Travellers departing Australia are required to accurately provide the following information on both sides of the OPC:
• family/surname, given names and passport number
• flight number or name of ship
• the country where they will get off the flight/vessel
• their date of birth and usual occupation
• nationality as shown on their passport.
• declaration relating to customs.

Travellers are required to sign and date the OPC, and are also required to correctly answer additional questions concerning their departure status. For non-Australian citizens, providing false information can affect their visa status.