Australia has announced a further expansion of foreign nationals now able to access the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service’s SmartGate automated border processing technology.
SmartGate is now available on a trial basis to Canadian and Irish ePassport holders at all major Australian international airports, bringing the number of nationalities now able to use SmartGate on a trial or permanent basis to eight.
In addition, eligibility trials are expected to commence by the start of next year for ePassport holders from China, the Hong Kong Special Autonomous Region and Japan.
SmartGate technology is currently available as a permanent arrangement to e-Passport holders from Australia, New Zealand, UK, US and Singapore, while a trial for Swiss e-Passport holders is still underway.
‘The expansion in SmartGate eligibility follows the government’s announcement in September that next generation automated departures eGates would also be rolled out at each of Australia’s eight major international airports from the middle of 2015,’ said Immigration minister Scott Morrison.