Australia Arrival Card: Entry Form Guide & Travel Tips

Before entering Australia, travelers need to complete the Australia Arrival Card for immigration, customs, and biosecurity checks. It helps officers confirm your trip details, health, and items you bring in. This guide explains what the card is, how to fill it out, and simple tips for a smoother arrival.

What’s the Australia Arrival Card?

The official name is the Incoming Passenger Card (IPC), but many travelers call it the Australia Arrival Card. It is a form you need to complete before entering Australia.

You will usually get it on the plane, ship, or at the arrival terminal. It asks for:

• Your name and passport number
• Flight details
• Address in Australia
• Contact details
• Items you are bringing in, such as food, medicine, cash, plant products, or animal products

For Filipino travelers, answer the card honestly. Australia has strict biosecurity rules, so declare pasalubong like snacks, dried food, herbal products, or wooden items if needed.

Who Needs to Fill Out the Australia Arrival Card?

Most travelers entering Australia need to complete the Incoming Passenger Card, often called the Australia Arrival Card.

This includes:

• Filipino travelers visiting Australia
• Tourists, students, and business travelers
• People visiting family or friends
• Australian citizens and residents returning home
• Children, with help from a parent or guardian if needed

You need it if you enter Australia by air or sea.

If you are only transiting and staying inside the international transit area, you may not need it. But if you collect bags, leave the transit area, change airport, or enter Australia, you must complete the card.

How to Fill Out the Australia Arrival Card

Sources: Australia Border Force

The Australia Arrival Card is officially called the Incoming Passenger Card. It must be completed in English and filled out clearly before you enter Australia.

1. Get the card

You will usually receive it on the plane, ship, or at the arrival terminal.

2. Fill in your basic details

Prepare your passport and travel details. You need to write:

• Full name as shown on your passport
• Passport number
• Flight number or ship name
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Occupation
• Address in Australia
• Contact details and emergency contact

3. Answer the declaration questions

Read the yes or no questions carefully. You may need to declare:

• Food, snacks, meat, seafood, fruit, or vegetables
• Medicine, herbs, or traditional products
• Plants, seeds, wooden items, or animal products
• Cash of AUD 10,000 or more
• Goods over the duty free limit
• Shoes, sports gear, or outdoor items with soil

If you are not sure whether an item should be declared, tick “Yes” and let the officer check. This is safer than hiding something by mistake.

4. Sign and date the card

Check both sides of the card, then sign and date it.

5. Keep it with your passport

Hand the card to the border officer when asked. For Filipino travelers, it is best to fill it out before landing so you do not rush at immigration.

Other Required Documents for Entry to Australia

Before flying to Australia, prepare your travel documents early so you do not get delayed at check-in or immigration.

You should have:

• Valid passport: Your passport must be valid, in good condition, and match the details on your visa.
• Australian visa: Filipino travelers need a valid visa before entering Australia.
• Return or onward ticket: Officers may ask how long you will stay and when you plan to leave.
• Accommodation details: Prepare your hotel, Airbnb, or family address in Australia.
• Incoming Passenger Card: Complete the card in English before immigration.
• Proof of funds: Bring bank statements, cards, or cash details in case officers ask about your travel budget.
• Travel insurance: Not always required, but strongly recommended for medical emergencies, flight delays, or lost baggage.

Tip: Keep digital and printed copies of your visa grant, passport, flight booking, hotel booking, and insurance. This helps if your phone battery dies or airport Wi-Fi is slow.

Customs and Declarations When Entering Australia

Australia has strict customs and biosecurity rules, so answer the Incoming Passenger Card honestly.

You may need to declare:

• Food, snacks, dried food, meat, seafood, fruit, or vegetables
• Medicine, vitamins, herbs, or traditional products
• Plants, seeds, flowers, wooden items, or animal products
• Shoes, sports gear, or outdoor items with soil
• Cash of AUD 10,000 or more
• Goods above the duty free limit

For Filipino travelers, be careful with pasalubong like dried mangoes, polvoron, packed snacks, herbal medicine, and wooden souvenirs.

If you are not sure, tick “Yes” and let the officer check. Declaring does not always mean your item will be taken away.

Tips for a Smooth Arrival in Australia

Here are extra tips Filipino travelers should know before landing in Australia:

• Save offline copies of your visa grant, hotel booking, and return flight.
• Screenshot your Australia address in case airport Wi-Fi is slow.
• Keep medicines in original packaging, especially prescription medicine.
• Pack snacks or pasalubong in one bag so officers can check them easily.
• Clean muddy shoes, slippers, or outdoor gear before flying.
• Keep your phone charged and bring a power bank within airline limits.
• Follow airport signs carefully after landing, especially for baggage and customs.
• Stay calm if officers ask questions. Just answer clearly and honestly.
• Allow extra time if you have a connecting domestic flight in Australia.
• Do not take photos or videos in restricted immigration and customs areas.