SmartGate in Australia now available to Singaporean travellers
Minister Robb with Singaporeans who'll benefit from using SmartGate in Australia
Media release from:
- Minister for Trade and Investment, The Hon Andrew Robb
- Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
Wednesday 26 February 2014
Minister for Trade and Investment, the Hon Andrew Robb and Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, today announced the extension of SmartGate to all eligible Singapore nationals.
“Customs and Border Protection is launching a trial to allow Singaporean e-passport holders aged 16 years and over to use SmartGate self-processing facilities in Australia’s eight major airports,” Minister Robb said
“The extension to Singaporean travellers will make them the first Asian nation to use this state-of-the-art technology.”
In 2013, there were 385,300 visitors to Australia from Singapore, an increase of 12.1 per cent on the previous year. Last year more people visited Australia from Singapore than any other country in Southeast Asia.
SmartGate will make travelling to Australia and passing through passport control a much easier and faster process for Singaporeans.
During the 2012-13 financial year period, over four million people presented at a SmartGate kiosk Australia-wide, an increase of 38 per cent on the previous year.
“By 2018 over 80 per cent of all travellers into and out of Australia will hold an ePassport,” Minister Cash said.
“As more travellers use SmartGate, Customs and Border Protection officers can focus their attention on people who pose a risk to the border, while legitimate, law-abiding travellers can pass through with ease.”
SmartGate is a self-service processing option for eligible travellers entering Australia. The key benefit is its speed. Rather than having to queue to see a Customs and Border Protection Officer, SmartGate travellers can self-process through passport control. This can be much quicker, particularly during busy periods.
SmartGate is currently available to Australian, New Zealand and UK citizens on a permanent basis and to US and Swiss electronic passport holders under trial arrangements. Customs and Border Protection also plans to trial additional nationalities over the next 12 months, with priority being given to countries that are the most regular visitors to Australia.