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Fact Sheet 71 - SmartGate Automated Border Processing

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What is SmartGate?

SmartGate is an automated border processing system that gives eligible travellers arriving into Australia's international airports the option to self-process through passport control. It uses the data in ePassports and facial recognition technology to perform the customs and immigration checks that are usually conducted by a Customs and Border Protection officer.

SmartGate can collect information electronically in relation to health and character, although a traveller must still complete the Incoming Passenger Card.

SmartGate electronically grants eligible New Zealand citizens a Special Category Visa (SCV).

Do I have to apply or register to use SmartGate?

No. To use SmartGate, you simply need to hold an Australian or New Zealand ePassport and be aged 16 or over.

Who can use SmartGate?

SmartGate can be used by Australian and New Zealand ePassport holders aged 16 or over. Airline crew who hold an Australian or New Zealand ePassport can choose to use SmartGate instead of going through the crew lane.

Currently, there are some ePassport holders who are not eligible to use SmartGate including:

  • those aged under 16 years
  • New Zealand ePassport holders travelling on military orders.

What is an ePassport?

All Australian passports issued after 24 October 2005 and all New Zealand passports issued after November 2005 are called ePassports. An ePassport has a microchip embedded in the centre pages and an international ePassport symbol on the front cover. The microchip contains the same personal information that is on the colour photo page of the ePassport, including a digitised photograph.

Where can I use SmartGate?

SmartGate can be used by eligible travellers arriving at eight of Australia’s international airports:

  • Adelaide
  • Brisbane
  • Cairns
  • Darwin
  • Gold Coast
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Sydney.

A SmartGate kiosk is also located at Auckland Airport, enabling eligible travellers to complete the first step of their entry process into Australia before they leave New Zealand.

How does SmartGate work?

SmartGate is a simple, two-step process involving a kiosk, which checks if a traveller is eligible to self-process, and a gate, which performs the identity check and clearance.

Step one

  • Look for the SmartGate kiosk, located in the concourses or at passport control.
  • Place your ePassport into the reader and answer standard declarations using the touch screen.
  • The kiosk will issue you a SmartGate ticket, which you will need for step two.

Step two

  • Insert your SmartGate ticket.
  • Look at the camera while your face is compared to your ePassport photo.
  • Retrieve your ticket and when the gates open.
  • Proceed to the baggage hall.
  • Collect your luggage and go to the Customs and Border Protection check-point.
  • Hand in your SmartGate ticket and Incoming Passenger Card.

Do I still need my Incoming Passenger Card?

Yes. You will need to hand your completed Incoming Passenger Card and SmartGate ticket to a Customs and Border Protection officer after you have collected your luggage.

Legislation

To enable the expansion of SmartGate to certain non-citizens, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship amended the Migration Act 1958 to provide a flexible legislative framework for the use of automated identification processing systems in immigration clearance. The Migration Legislation (Border Integrity) Amendment Act 2007 was passed on 29 April 2007.

The amendments enable travellers who hold the eligible ePassports to choose an automated process if they wish, rather than seeing a Customs and Border Protection officer for manual processing.

Further information

More detailed information on SmartGate can be obtained from the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service website and following the links under 'Travellers'.
See: www.customs.gov.au

All enquiries relating to SmartGate Automated Border Processing should be made to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service at the following email address:
Email: PassengerPolicy@customs.gov.au

Further information is available on the department's website.
See: www.immi.gov.au

The department also operates a national general enquiries line.
Telephone: 131 881
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. Recorded information is available outside these hours.

Fact Sheet 71. Produced by the National Communications Branch, Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Canberra.
Last reviewed February 2012.

© Commonwealth of Australia 2009.