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 automatically grants eligible New Zealand citizens a Special Category Visa (SCV).
Who can use SmartGate?
SmartGate can be used by Australian and New Zealand citizens, aged 18 or over, who hold an ePassport (with the exception of New Zealand airline crew and New Zealand ePassport holders travelling on military orders).
SmartGate is currently only available for arriving travellers.
Locations
SmartGate is currently operational at Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney international airports in Australia.
Three SmartGate kiosks are also operational at Auckland Airport enabling eligible travellers to complete the first step of the SmartGate process prior to departing New Zealand.
How does SmartGate work?
SmartGate is a simple, two-step process involving a kiosk and a gate. Step 1, the kiosk, checks if a traveller is eligible to self-process. The traveller places their ePassport into the reader and answers standard declarations on the touch screen. If the traveller is eligible to self-process, the kiosk will issue a ticket which is needed for step 2. If not eligible, the traveller is directed to a Customs and Border Protection officer for manual processing.
Step 2, the gate, performs the identity check and clearance. The traveller inserts their ticket and a photo of the traveller’s face is taken which is compared to the image in their ePassport. Final clearance checks are also undertaken. If the images match and clearance is verified, the ticket is re-issued and the traveller can pass through the gate. If the images do not match and/or clearance is not verified, the ticket is retained and the traveller is directed to a Customs and Border Protection officer for manual processing.
Future directions
Customs and Border Protection introduced SmartGate in August 2007. It is part of a broader Government strategy to utilise biometric technology at Australia's borders. The strategy was announced on 10 May 2005 in a joint media release issued by the then Ministers responsible for foreign affairs, immigration and customs.
The use of biometric technology at our borders is aimed at improving the security and efficiency of passenger processing and will enable Australia to process increasing passenger volumes. The initiative will also contribute to addressing identity fraud.
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:
See: SmartGatePolicy@customs.gov.au
Further information is available on the department's web site.
See: www.immi.gov.au
The department also operates a national telephone service inquiry line.
Telephone: 131 881
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm (recorded information available outside these hours) for the cost of a local call anywhere in Australia.
Fact Sheet 71. Produced by the National Communications Branch, Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Canberra.
Revised 21 June 2009.
© Commonwealth of Australia 2009.