Update: from July 6, the DPD form + the requirement to be vaccinated to enter Australia will be scrapped. You can read more about it here.
From today, there is a new form to fill when travelling to Australia, as the Government rolls out a digital system to collect information from each passenger entering Australia.
The Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) will replace the previous Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) web-based form, although the latter will continue in a read-only format so travellers can refer to their previous records. While most of the information on the DPD is exactly the same as in the previous system, there are some additional hoops to jump through.
Here’s everything you need to know about Australia’s new Digital Passenger Declaration.
Tip: check out our guide on the best covid travel insurance for Australian travellers.
In this post:
- What is the Australian Digital Passenger Declaration?
- When is the DPD a requirement?
- What information do I need to supply?
- Do I need a Covid-19 test?
- Who needs to complete a DPD?
- When do I submit my DPD?
- Where do I complete my DPD?
- Your Digital Passenger Declaration outcome
- Do I need to show airline staff my DPD?
- Who do I contact if I have trouble completing my DPD?
- Do I complete an Incoming Passenger Card?
- Where can I find out more?
- Summing up
What is the Australian Digital Passenger Declaration?
Australia’s new Digital Passenger Declaration has been designed to allow travellers to quickly supply the information needed to meet Australia’s entry requirements before they arrive at the airport. This includes your travel history, Covid vaccination status plus all the regular personal details.
The DPD is set up to screen travellers and ensure they meet restrictions before they arrive at the airport.
When is the DPD a requirement?
As of today, the Digital Passenger Declaration is a requirement to enter Australia. All International arrivals from 18 February 2022 need to complete a DPD.
What information do I need to supply?
Before you start your declaration, be prepared to provide your:
- Personal and contact details
- Inbound flight number
- Intended address in Australia
- COVID-19 vaccination status or valid medical exemption
- Where you have visited in the 14 days prior to arriving in Australia
Reaching Australia via connecting flights? The declaration will ask about your first flight, and the final flight that gets you to Australia.
Do I need a Covid-19 test?
As of 18 April 2022, the Australian Government no longer requires a COVID-19 test before boarding your flight to Australia.
While the DPD system transitions to this new rule, be sure to select “I am exempt from Australia’s COVID testing requirements” in the health section of the DPD. Note that this selection will produce the outcome “confirmation required at check-in”. There is nothing to be concerned about here – you will be processed as meeting the health requirements for boarding as long as you can show evidence of your COVID-19 vaccination record or proof that you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons at check-in.
Who needs to complete a DPD?
Everyone who wants to enter Australia from overseas must complete a DPD, including tourists. The requirement to complete a DPD is in addition to any visa, visa-waiver or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) you may also need to enter Australia.
Anyone over 16 is advised to complete their own declaration. If you are travelling with a child under the age of 16, you should complete their declaration.
When do I submit my DPD?
You can begin to prepare your declaration online up to 7 days before your flight. A Digital Passenger Declaration can only be submitted within 72 hours prior to departure, making last-minute travel that little bit easier.
Where do I complete my DPD?
You can complete your Digital Passenger Declaration on the Department of Home Affairs website.
From 1 March, travellers can complete their DPD using a free mobile app from the App Store or Google Play store.
Your Digital Passenger Declaration outcome
A completed declaration does not guarantee approved entry to Australia. Once submitted, you will see a summary screen that should show your DPD as complete, incomplete or confirmation required at check-in.
- Complete indicates that you meet Covid-19 health requirements for travel, although the airline will make the final decision to let you board your flight.
- Incomplete indicates that you have not submitted the required health information.
- Confirmation required at check-in indicates that you may not have met the requirements for travel to Australia. Your airline will confirm this and decide if you can travel.
Do I need to show airline staff my DPD?
At check-in, you will need to show airline staff the summary screen of your DPD, on your phone or as a printout. Your personal data is not shared with the airline, however, they must check you have completed a declaration before allowing you to board the flight.
You may also need to present your Digital Passenger Declaration on arrival in Australia.
Who do I contact if I have trouble completing my DPD?
If you have difficulty completing the DPD, the Department of Home Affairs provides answers to frequently asked questions that may help. If you still need assistance, contact the Department of Home Affairs.
Do I complete an Incoming Passenger Card?
Yes, travellers must also complete an Incoming Passenger Card. It’s the yellow and orange card that cabin crew often hand out before arrival, and asks questions about the items in your baggage.
Remember that your Digital Passenger Declaration is required in addition to the normal paperwork required for overseas arrivals.
Where can I find out more?
The below links provide further information on Australia’s Digital Passenger Declaration.
Summing up
It can be difficult to keep up with ever-changing travel requirements and border restrictions. Thankfully, this isn’t a big one with the new DPD requiring most of the same information as the previous ATD.
The new change comes just in time for Australia, as we are just days away from opening our international borders to overseas tourists on 21 February 2022. That of course excludes the Democratic People’s Republic of Western Australia, which remains shut to the world, including Australian citizens.
Want to know more about Australia’s International border reopening. Check out our coverage here!
Thanks for all this info.
Question – What if I have 3 connecting flights to Australia? The form seems to only allow me to add two flights. Should I include the first and the last or the last two?
Hi Madelyn. If you are reaching Australia via connecting flights the declaration will require info on your first flight, and the final flight that gets you to Australia. Cheers, Tom.
Hi Tom,
Just to clear understanding, if I’m flying from Phoenix to Vancouver which lay over there for few hours then i fly from Vancouver to Australia, so should I put flight number the one from Vancouver to Australia?
Is there a proposal to have the digital form information in other languages, to mirror the existing incoming document.
Hi Sid. For now, the DPD is available in English only, but we hope this will expand to other languages in the future. Cheers, Tom.
Hi Tom, if my flight to Australia transit through other country (only in Airport), what should i tick in travel history (past 14 days) yes or no?
If you’re only transitting (staying airside) you don’t technically enter the country from an immigration perspective. Either way, I doubt you would have an issue adding it to your travel history or keeping it out.
Hey I have the same concern. How did it work out for you?
Hi, I have made a mistake submitted the DPD earlier than 72 hours. I realised that i couldn’t make any amends. I didn’t upload my passport image. Do you know if this is ok?
Thanks
Hi Agung. Once you start a new DPD it cannot be deleted, and once you submit a DPD it cannot be changed. I am hoping the system is updated to allow edits for resubmission sometime soon. Unfortunately, you might have to complete the form again as valid passport info is a requirement. This would be the case unless you have received “complete” status on the summary screen. Cheers, Tom.
Hi, I have my full name under first name in passport. What do I fill in the last name section in the dpd?
Hi Palak. You’ll need to put your first and last names in separate fields. For example, if your full name was John Smith, John would go in the first name box and Smith would go in the last name box. Cheers, Tom.
Currently only available on App Store for Apple OS and being caned by users – appears very buggy. No sign of the App anywhere on Google Play Store?
Why would you download the app? Just fill out the form online and you’re done. Keep it simple! https://dpd.homeaffairs.gov.au/
Can I add multiple family members on the 1 account signin?
Hi Andrew. Great question! If travelling to Australia as a family or group, a separate DPD must be submitted for each individual member. As such you need to create an account for each traveller. Cheers, Tom
Hi there. I’m flying to Sydney in just over a week. I’m a pensioner and not very computer savvy. Can you tell me when the form says put in passport details manually what does it mean about uploading a photo? Photo of what and how do you do that. I’m getting increasingly anxious about this process. Thanks.
Hi Helen, in this section you will need to take a photo of your passport and upload it to the DPD form. Cheers, Tom.
Thanks Tom. Can you also tell me what is a username? Do I make that up? And I am transiting in Dubai (London/Dubai/Sydney). The transit is just hour and half but has a different flight number. Do I put both in the box for flight information? And lastly, can I start the form at 7 days but save and exit on sections and be able to go back in and change things/carry on adding info?
Sorry for questions but I don’t have anyone here to help me.
Thanks.
Hi Tom,
I am wondering if you can answer a question for me.
I am flying to America in September. I will be flying back to Australia from LAX on 30th September at 9.30pm on Qantas. I plan on getting a RAT (Antigen) test done at the airport Approx 5-6 hours before i fly home later that night. The requirement for the Digital Passenger Declaration states that I have to upload my RAT test results within 24 hours of flying home. My flight leaves at 9.30pm so will I be okay to have the RAT test done say 5-6 hours before I fly and upload the test results in my Digital Declaration as soon as i get them back. Is that acceptable? Considering that I have to have a RAT test done and uploaded within 24 hours of flying. I am worried if I do one at 10am on 29th September (the day before I fly) then that will fall outside of the 24 hour bracket. It is all very confusing these time frames. And i don’t want to get caught out on a silly technicality. Can you help please?
Thank
Hi Bron. If you plan on taking a RAT this has to be done within 24 hours of your scheduled departure to Australia. Seeing you depart at 9:30pm on 30 September, the test can’t be taken at 10am on September 29 as this is outside of the 24 hour window. Note that you need to upload a medical certificate as evidence of a negative RAT taken under medical supervision. Once you receive the certificate, you can upload it to your DPD before you check in to your flight. Safe travels, Tom.
Hi Tom,
when I want to submit my trip details it fails saying “sorry, can’t submit trip details”. Therefore, I cannot lodge health information into the app. Does that mean I cannot enter Australia, even though I have a valid visa and meet the health requirements? I am quite worried, my plane departs in 2 days.
Cheers,
Marius
Hi Marius, you can only submit the form within 72 hours prior to the departure of your flight. Since you say your flight is within 2 days, you might be entering something incorrectly? Are you entering info on mobile or on a desktop, app or online form? Lots of variables. I would suggest trying to complete it on a computer and avoid downloading apps etc.
Hello, our child is under 4 and according to the rules he doesn’t need a PCR test but he does need a DPD. Do you know what we need to put in the health section of the form? The health section is currently locked until 3 days before we fly. Thanks
Sorry, I can’t help with that. You will have to wait until the application window opens.
Hello Tom,
I’ve got a typo on my name on the submission and I no longer can make changes, do I submit a new form?
Would probably be easiest to submit a new form indeed. It’s only at check-in that airline staff make sure you’ve completed the form.
I amd ealing with an old lady who does not have a phone. Where can I get a paer form?
As far as I know, there is no paper form. You could complete the form for her and print it off. She will only need to show the printed copy to the airline staff. No phone is required to complete the application.
Hi, I have completed the first part of the declaration flight details, passenger details, travel history etc). I entered my passport details manually and have not uploaded my passport – every field is marked as complete but I can’t submit the declaration. There is no detailed error message, just the message that it can’t be submitted. Also, I cannot access the health declaration even though I’m in the timeframe where this information should be unlocked. Is this all because the passport has not been uploaded?
Thank you so much for your help! My trip starts tomorrow – I would be grateful for a quick response!
Most likely because you need to upload the passport picture. Any reason you haven’t tried that?
Hi Thanks for this information. I have completed and printed my DPD. The printout only shows my first flight from Uk but not flight from Qatar to Australia is this correct?
Hi Janet, if you completed the application correctly it should be fine. I wouldn’t worry about it too much, they have all the details electronically anyway.
Thanks for your advice, checked details all seem fine.
Wish the Australian government would explain their DPD as distinctly as you have. Thank you so much.
Hi Michael. Thank you – we aim to please! Cheers, Tom.
My flight is on 24March at 9.50pm, and I’ve scheduled to do RAT test on 24March at 9am. Do I still hv enough time to submit my last part of health declaration before my flight? Or am I allow to submit my declaration a day before my test?
Hi Grace, the answer is in the article under the section “When do I submit my DPD”.
I am unable to download our vaccination certificate QR codes. The message just says “place certificate on a flat surface”. I’m scanning from my iPad to my phone. Is that the problem? Do I need to have a paper version?
It might be, just print it out and see if that works?
Hi. We are travelling to Sydney tomorrow. My DPD has been accepted but the app won’t accept yesterday (22/03/2022) as a date in the past for my husbands PCR test and so we can’t submit his details
Have you tried applying via the website instead of the app?
Hi there
We’ve been in contact with someone that has since tested positive for covid in the last 14 days and we’re due to fly. Does this have any impact? We’re negative and have been for 5 days.
Hi Clare. We can’t give health advice here. Try checking the rules of your departing and arriving countries.
Hi Tom. can a friend or family member fill out and submit a DPD for someone who is computer illiterate, who’s been stuck in vietnam for the last 2 years due to covid travel restrictions ?
Hi Trevor. I can’t answer that here but the Department of Home Affairs says each passenger is required to their own declaration. Cheers, Tom.
Hi Tom,
For the travel history section do we put down the country we’re flying from (in our case-UK) and the country we’re transiting through (Qatar).
Thank you
Hi Shauna. If you are reaching Australia via connecting flights you should add the details for your first flight and the final flight that gets you to Australia. Generally, you aren’t required to list transit airports as long as you remain within the terminal. Cheers, Tom.
Hi Tom,
Do you know if travel history would impact entry or quarantine requirements? I can’t find any information that suggests it would, but am curious why they ask. My husband and I both plan to travel (him domestically in US and me to Mexico) in the 14 days before arriving in Sydney, so I want to make sure this won’t cause any issues. Thanks!
There are currently no restrictions that I’m aware of. Travel history should not affect entry into Australia ie: you won’t be locked up in quarantine if you come from a “do not travel” country.
Thanks, Immanuel!
Hi my parents have a 13 hour transit in another country before coming to Australia. If they decide to enter the country do they have to mention this in travel history in DPD? And if they decide to stay at the airport do they still have to mention it?
As soon as you go through immigration you technically enter the country which means they have to mention it on their travel history. It’s all just a technicality though, no one checks or really cares. For example, I changed my flight after submitting DPD and it wasn’t an issue.
Hi I am flying to Melbourne from the US but am traveling to Canada a few days before. Will this impact my entrance into Australia? Just concerned due to the section about travel history
Hi Anna. Visiting Canada and the US shouldn’t impact your DPD. Cheers, Tom.
Hi Tom
I get that you need to create an account first, but the 8 digit code sent to verify my email address has always expired before it arrives in my inbox. Is there a way around this?
Thanks
Seems odd! Mine came through right away. Have you tried using a different email address?
Thx, will give it a try
Hi Tom,
I’m not sure how to upload Covid Certification card (QR) and Covid test results in DPD although the app doesn’t give me options to! IPhone app.
Hi Joe, I’ve never used the app. It’s much easier to do this stuff on a computer via the DPD website, have you tried that?
Thank you Immanuel,
I will try to do that.
Hi Tom,
Just to clear understanding, if I’m flying from Phoenix to Vancouver which lay over there for few hours then i fly from Vancouver to Australia, so should I put flight number the one from Vancouver to Australia?
Hi Tom,
Just to clear understanding, if I’m flying from Phoenix to Vancouver which lay over there for few hours then i fly from Vancouver to Australia, so should I put flight number the one from Vancouver to Australia? And thank you for answering us in great way.
We have been unable to complete the DPD and flying out today , can we do it on arrival in Sydney on the 11 th in 2 days time ? I
Hi Annie. The Digital Passenger Declaration is a requirement to enter Australia. You can’t complete a DPD after arrival. Cheers, Tom.
Hi Tom,
when entering the data there is an error message: Sorry, can’t submit the DPD.
HOW CAN I SUBMIT the DPD?
Before trying to press the submit button, there is a pop up message “You will only be able to amend contact details once you have submitted your trip.”
If I can’t submit the DPD I cannot fill out the health declaration…the questions about vaccination status etc.
My flight is tomorrow.
thanks for your help.
Hi Romy. Are you sure you have completed each section of the DPD? It could be as simple as one box not ticked. Best, Tom.
Hi Tom,
the solution to my problem was very crazy and I would have never found out on my own:
I was informed at the airport in Berlin, that the new airport Berlin-Brandenburg (BER) is not accepted yet. You have to manually type in your flight details and chose the old airport code SXF (Airport Schönefeld) instead of BER and then it will go through!
Everybody FLYING FROM BERLIN (BER) has to type in SXF manually in their flight details. Until it’s fixed, you cannot just use the flight-number and have it automatically filled out, because it won’t accept BER.
Fortunately with this information I could complete the dpd on my mobile phone and upload my health documents just before check-in.
Thanks for sharing Romy! Hopefully, they fix that bug soon. Blue skies, Tom.
You absolutely saved my life with this answer, I had the same problem and didn’t find anything about it anywhere! Thanks for coming back and putting it on here! 🙂
This is indeed the answer – very clever (but annoying bug). Thank you so much!
My mother do not have family name in the passport. So on uploading the passport, it is saying to enter the values manually. I added some blank spaces, it accept for a moment But while submitting, it is not accepting it saying you can not submit the DPD. For testing purpose I added the surname (my dad’s family name), and then it is accepting. But in that case passport family name (which is empty) will not match DPD family name (my dad’s family name). All other proofs of my mother (tickets, driving licence, etc.) have my dad’s family name in it.
Has she got 2 first names? You could try splitting it up, enter one for the first name and the second one for a family name. Alternatively, try entering “N/A” or “Not applicable”. It’s just a form that no one checks and if they do I’m sure they understand that their form is flawed by design as it doesn’t accommodate for people who don’t have a surname.
Hi, I’m flying from Edinburgh (UK) to Brisbane via Doha. I start my travel on Sunday 17th 2022 at 2:30 pm, and due to the layover in Doha (19 hours – not leaving terminal), I arrive in Brisbane on Tuesday 19th April 2022.
I understand the requirement to have a PCR test changes on 18th April 2022 to enter Australia.
Two questions:
1. As I start my journey on 17th April (before the changes come into affect) do I need to do a PCR?
2. When do I need to finalise my DPD? Before the 1st flight departs at Edinburgh Airport or can I finalise this on 18th April before my second flight to Brisbane? Therefore, I dont need to take a PCR test to enter Australia.
Thanks for the help.
Hi Hazel. That’s a fantastic question! If both flights are on the one booking (EDI-DOH and DOH-BNE) you would be classified as departing for Australia on 17 April and will need to take a pre-departure test and finalise your DPD before departure from Edinburgh. Cheers, Tom.
I have tried registering three times. Why am I not receiving a verification email to get the 8-digit code?
Hi Carmen. Have you checked your spam folder or tried a different email address? Otherwise, you might want to verify using your phone number. Cheers, Tom.
Hi I have an email saying my DPD is complete and yet the summary sheet attached doesn’t have all the details. Is that ok?
Hi Diane. That depends, which details are you missing? Cheers, Tom.
Hi, the DPD app asks if a person has has COVID 19 within the past 7 days. If this has been the case and the person has completed 7 days of isolation (but end if isolation was within 7 days of flight departure), do you think entry into Australia will be refused? Thank you !
Hi Felix. If you have fully recovered I can’t see this being an issue. If you’re still concerned it might be wise to carry a medical certificate showing you have recovered to ensure a smooth journey. It is also a good idea to check the conditions of the specific state/territory you plan to enter as testing and quarantine requirements will differ for each. Cheers, Tom.
Hi, my uncle is planning to fly from Colombo (Sri lanka) to Sydney on one flight & then take a domestic (Qantas) flight from Sydney to Melbourne. He has already entered details of his first flight. Does he need to enter domestic flight details on DPD?
(Once he tries to enter these information he gets a msg saying ‘Departure country cannot be Australia’. Please advice. Thanks.
Hi Devni. Your uncle will need to enter the details of his CMB-SYD flight as this will be his journey into Australia. He won’t need to enter the domestic SYD-MEL flight. Cheers, Tom.
I am flying from Osaka to Tokyo, Tokyo to Melbourne, Melbourne to Adelaide. The app let me enter in the first two flights, not the last, so I ticked that I do not intend to travel interstate, as I won’t be leaving the airport in Melbourne- was that a mistake? The app says that everything is complete, but am not sure if I made the right selection; should I make a new DPD application saying ‘yes’ to the interstate question just in case? Is it bad to have multiple applications, or is it even possible to make a second one?
Hi Karo. The DPD only allows international flights to be entered, so it’s fine to leave out MEL-ADL. If you don’t plan onwards travel after arrival in Adelaide you have made the right selection. Cheers, Tom.
Hi Tom, Thanks for all this info. The whole process is so confusing! I have realised I made a mistake on my already submitted dpd. I am landing in Melbourne but will, later in my trip, travel on to Queensland & NSW. I ticked to say I am not travelling to other states so I need to correct this. Am I right in thinking I need to call an office in Australia to get this corrected?
Also, I created a 2nd DPD for my Mum on my account. From what you’ve said in other posts, it looks like this isn’t ok. I am going to try and create a new account for her and do another one. I am terrified that these things will prevent us boarding the plane or land us in trouble in Aus. Any advice please?
Hi Sarah. If your DPD is locked for editing, you can always create a new one with your updated information. Cheers, Tom.
hello sir,
i am bit confused about proceeding with dpd form. i have single name with no surname on my passport. how to proceed with this form wthout surname? should i fill my first name repeatdly in surname section as i did for my flight booking ?
or should i fill “N/a” or not applicable ? please guide ??
I would repeat the first name or put N/A as whoever designed the form didn’t realise there are lots of people without surnames. I doubt you will have an issue 🙂
Hi, quick question I believe! I’ve submitted all the documents. How long does it take until I get a response to say completed etc?
Cheers and thank you!
Ash
Hi Ash, it’s automated and instant. Log in to your online DPD account and check the status to see.
I am a returning Australian, why is my health saying incomplete ! I can’t change it anywhere! will I. e able to change in the 72 hours before flight
You can only complete the form 72h before departure, it says that when you are filling it out 🙂
Hi there, the reset password verification code is not going through, the app is very buggy can we try to restart application process on the website after we started on the app and it won’t work. Will we have trouble using Safari if so do we need to download another web browser to do the application.
Hi Sarah, if you saved the application you can continue it via your computer. Personally, I’ve never downloaded the app and I don’t see the need to either as the website is much more convenient to use.
I need to change my flight date by one week . It wont let me how do I do it,
Just create a new DPD application.
Hi, I have a direct flight to Melbourne then a layover of 1.5 hrs and a connected flight to Brisbane. The DPD is not taking details from Melbourne to Brisbane only from my home country to Melbourne is appearing is it enough to mention only direct flight details ?
If you connect on a domestic flight you will need to clear immigration first. So in your case, you will enter Australia via Melbourne and once you’re cleared you’re free to do as you please.
Hi,I am flying from Madrid to Brisbane via Doha. Not leaving airport. I had trouble putting in the two flights and someone told me I could just put in the one flight from Doha. It accepted this and I have an email saying all is complete. I realise I should have put in the Madrid to Doha flight. As I can’t change the DPD and it says I cannot delete it.
Can I just start again and do another DPD. I am worried I will have two DPD’s on the system. Thanks jim
Hi Jim. Yes, you can submit a new DPD with your Madrid-Doha-Brisbane routing. Cheers, Tom.
Why won’t the address I’m staying at in QLD be accepted on the form
Hi Marlene. Without knowing the address it’s hard for me to suggest why the DPD form will not accept. All I can suggest is entering as individual fields. Cheers, Tom.
Hi,
My wife and friend are total non literate computer users. Would I be able to fill out the required forms here in Aus before she leaves for Singapore and save/exit the site so she will be able to,in the appropriate time frame, log in and ensure everything is correct and then submit the forms. I personally don’t think this would work but if so would save her some headaches.
Hi Geoff, you could technically just complete the whole form for them within 72h before their flight back. At check-in in Singapore, they might be asked to show a confirmation that the form was completed so if you can send a screenshot to their phone that would work or alternatively email the pdf to their hotel reception and ask for them to print it before they depart.
Thanks for your reply Immanuel,
Yes that could work but how would the uploading of her passport occur or is a photo ok from my end. Or is that not required if passport details are filled out manually?
Thanks Geoff
Hi there, I’ve accidentally said ‘no’ in the previous travel bit but will be in Doha airport for 2hrs for my connecting flight to Perth – should I have put Qatar? I’ve submitted this section so I can’t amend it now… Do I need to do a new form? All my other info is correct.
If you’re simply transitting in Doha, you’re not actually entering the country so your submitted answer is correct.
Thank you very much now Immanuel – I’ll stop panicking now 🙂
Hi Molly,
I’m in a similar situation to you. Please can you let me know if you had any issues when entering Australia?
Thanks,
Sarah
Transitting through an airport does not = entering a country. Therefore transit countries do not need to be listed unless you leave the airport. Even if you forget one, it really doesn’t matter. It’s just a form no one looks at.
Hi, Im travelling from Auckland to Melbourne, am a NZ Citizen, fully vaccinated. I have uploaded my travel covid pass/ certificate and selected no quarantine required. Having submitted my DPD, the responding email said it was incomplete.
I have no idea what is missing or who to contact for assistance. I rang the NZ contact for Qantas (carrier) who were unable to assist.
The flight was booked Sat and deapts 6am Monday due to an emergency
Thanks in advance
You can only complete the DPD when you’re within 72h of your flight time. This could be the issue?
Hi
Tom, my flight is on 18th may , i have filled everything but scanning my qr code of vaccination have failed to be scanned. Any help please i will be greatful.
Hi Sherry, I only use the online form since it’s much less buggy than the app. No scanning is required, simply upload a copy of your vaccine certificate and you’re good to go.
Flying from Auckland to Doha with a stop in Adelaide, not leaving airplane. DPD required?
Yes. Travellers who are transiting Australia to another destination should complete a DPD.
So if transitting through Australia (to Fiji), what do you put in the Australia comtact details boxes? My daughter has no contact details as only in the airport for 3 hours but cannot progress the dpd form with completing?
Just put in a random address, find a hotel or maybe even the airport.
Hi, i submitted my DPD earlier than 72 hours before my flight. What will happend? Please help.
Nothing happens, you will simply need to complete it within the 72h window. It’s saved in your profile so you can just continue.
I’m travelling to Sydney
New York to Dallas
Dallas to Sydney
Do I just put in flight no for Dallas to Sydney
Yep that’s correct!
Hey
I have submitted my DPD 72 hours before departure. Everything is submitted. DonI need to upload a new DPD now?
Hi Jaskaran. If you have successfully submitted your DPD without issue there is no need to submit another. Cheers, Tom.
Hi Tom, I have submitted my DPD form earlier than 72hours of my flight and I did received the notification email of”ready to present your DPD at check in”. However I just received a new email notification of incomplete status of dpd. What’s going on? Do I need to submit it again? Appreciate your respond.
Hi Serene, as per our article: “A Digital Passenger Declaration can only be submitted within 72 hours prior to departure”. So it will be incomplete until you’re within the 72h window at which time you can complete the final information required.
I have just received an email for incomplete dpd and am meant to fly to Australia tomorrow. Will I be able to fly?
Incomplete indicates that you have not submitted the required health information. Does your online status say incomplete also? Usually, they send out automated emails that are not accurate.
The app says completed on both health parts. I did just resubmit it and may have originally done it outside 72 hours out. Would that bi it possibly?
Re incomplete status messages query from Tony – I returned to Australia on Saturday 21st May. I submitted all details via the app on Friday 20th and got text message saying “You have completed all information required before check-in.” Then four hours later I got another message saying my DPD was incomplete. I had entered my vaccination details manually as my certificate wouldn’t scan and suspected this was why. I didn’t do anything else and when I checked in in Birmingham they just asked to see my vaccine certificate. Since arriving back I received another message saying “Thank you for completing your DPD” In several of your responses you advise against using the app but not everyone takes a computer with them or has access to a computer while overseas.
Hi Vicki, yes the DPD system is very buggy. When you do the application via the website you simply upload a PDF of your vax certificate. They email and message a bunch of different results because they are incompetent but you can always see the true outcome when you log in to your account. I had the same recently where they first emailed me saying my DPD was complete, followed by an email saying it was incomplete and another one 1 day after arriving back saying it was complete. My top tip is to not worry about any of it and just see it as yet another form no one will actually look at. At least we can rest assured that 60 million dollars of taxpayer funding were used on this marvel!
Hi, do I have to have a DPD app on my Android phone to complete the application, or can I use the app on my iPad?
If I use the iPad, I am not sure how to link the passport jpeg and vaccination certificate on my iPad in the Photo section once I am inside the DPD app. Will the DPD app allow me to choose the jpegs from Photos and “attach” them that way? I have found most iPad apps will not allow you to leave the app that way and if you do, the input into the app up to that point just disappears, Thanks, William
Hi William, I’d avoid the DPD app and just use the website. There are zero benefits to using the app. It can be done on any device via: https://dpd.homeaffairs.gov.au/
Thank you. Will do.
cheers
Willliam
Hi, I just finished filling in the DPD, are we supposed to receive a completed form with a QR code in it? How do I look for the status of the DPD? Once I completed filling in the DPD, I received an email saying that the DPD is complete – is that the status?
You can download a summary in your account. Email saying you completed it will also suffice.
Hi Immanuel, thanks for this article.
I submitted my DPD but my summary page shows only my departure flight (DEL – DUB)
My flight details are:
DEL-DUB (EK 0515)
DUB- PERTH (EK 0420)
Do I need to worry about this?
Also, when asking for contact details in Australia do I have to provide an Australian phone number if I don’t have one? Can I provide a guardian’s Australian phone number instead? The people I mentioned are not officially my guardians but my parents have a verbal agreement.
You don’t have to enter an Australian number, it can be your own. In any case, no one will check or call so it doesn’t matter all too much.
You should have entered the flight details which will get you to Australia. DEL-DUB has not relation to your Australian entry so you should have just entered DUB-PER which would have pulled up the correct arrival details.
Thanks for clarifying the contact details. But about the airlines?
On the FAQ page of the DPD website, it says we should mention all flights we use to reach Australia. If one or more flights are entered, the first flight will be mentioned on the DPD summary. Am I incorrect on this? Here’s the Link
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-text/dpd/Pages/faq-english.aspx
“If you have multiple flights (stops) before arriving in Australia, please enter your first flight, and the one that lands in Australia.
The DPD Summary screen only displays one flight. If you have entered multiple flights, it will display the first flight.”
The above in quotes is what is mentioned on the FAQ Page regarding entering of flight details with multiple stops.
Hi, I was using browser to fill up the form. And I was abit confused at the passport section – they said to upload passport or enter details manually. My browser couldn’t detect my passport. So I entered details manually but then instead of uploading my passport photo (i.e. my headshot/selfie), I uploaded a photo of my passport instead. The system still accepted it – there was no error. And I completed my submission. Would there be any issue with me submitting a photo of my passport instead of a passport photo?
Hi Nazifa, I’m pretty sure they are asking for you to upload a picture of your passport. At least that’s what I’ve been uploading the last 4 times ha!
Hi I am not very tech savvy and I am nervous about completing my DPD form, I am not sure about scanning etc so can I just attach a photo of my passport and is it just the photograph page needed? I have a pdf file of my vaccine certificate but would a photograph of that do if I can’t manage to upload it? My flight booking includes an internal Uk flight – Northern Ireland to London and then the direct flight to Perth Australia as it’s all on one booking do I list the domestic flight first and then the international one.?Sorry if these questions have been asked before I am just nervous of something going wrong.
Hi Helen, not to worry, it’s just another form that no one will ever look at 🙂
If you have the app, yes you can take a picture on your phone and upload that. The app doesn’t allow PDF files…
Personally, I prefer to use the online version as it’s much easier to complete on a computer. You should only list the flight that will get you to Australia, in your case that will be the London to Perth flight.
Why did I get an text message to say my DPD is incomplete when everything on the DPD screen says complete?
Hi Jayne, yes that’s stock standard and normal. It’s because the Australian taxpayer only paid 60 million for the development of the DPD system. If they spend 80 mill they would have been able to resolve this bug.
This is not compulsory by Australia’s own law. As that will contradict the migration act 1958. Please print this and take back your rights.
https://constitutionwatch.com.au/is-the-digital-passenger-declaration-compulsory/
‘Travellers do not have to use the DPD to submit any of the above categories of information. Information relating to the identity, trip details and border declaration components may instead continue to be provided by way of the paper passenger card, while information relating to quarantine, health and COVID-19 may be provided to the Australian Government by other appropriate means. “
Good luck with that haha!
I have a 10 hour layover in Sydney on my way from Los Angeles to Auckland and will be leaving the airport to visit some sites. As I do not have an official destination address in Australia, what should I put? I am required to enter the address where I will be “living or staying while I am in Australia,“ but I am not staying anywhere. I simply plan on having lunch and seeing the opera house. What should I put?
Just make something up, use the airport address or pick a random hotel in Sydney.
Hi. We will fly from Auckland, NZ to Doha with Qatar Airways. We have a 1,5 hour technical stop in Adelaide. The same on our flight back to Auckland. Do we need to fill in a DPD. We might disembark and wait in a designated area.
Hi Idelette, while technically you’re required to have a DPD for transit flights since the flight you’re taking only makes a technical stop, I don’t think you need one. As mentioned by others, it’s not possible to locate the flight number in the Australian DPD so therefore it’s a good assumption there’s no need. In any case, I will follow up on this with my Qatar Airways contacts as it’s a common issue.
Just to follow up, I’ve noticed they now have an option to add the flight details manually.
My parents are flying soon and got an incomplete DPD. They don’t know why. Will they be able to get it right at the airport?
Probably because it’s still more than 72h before the flight? Check your account and it will tell you which part is incomplete.
I am flying to Manchester from Christchurch with a maintenance stop in Adelaide when I put in the flight I am travelling on from Auckland the Dohah it says that there is no stop in Australia therefore I cannot put a flight in – what do i deed to do
Hi Liz, I’m glad you’re getting to enjoy the 60-million-dollar marvel of technology that is the Australian DPD. While technically you’re required to complete a DPD even in transit, I’m not sure if you are required to do it for a flight with a maintenance stop. Personally, I wouldn’t bother and if asked at the airport, get them to assist you. The DPD is automated anyway so there’s no issue with completing this last minute (if required at all)
Hi, I am due to fly to Brisbane tomorrow from Manchester, UK with a stop over in Doha. I understand you don’t need a PCR to fly, just wondering what happens when we get to Brisbane, can we take a lateral flow test from the UK to do once we get to our accommodation? or does it have to be one witnessed by a health professional
thanks
Yes, self-testing on arrival is fine. I don’t believe they have a way to check if you did or didn’t do one.
I should have clarified I am an Australian citizen travelling on an Aust passport.
I am an Australian, living in the US as a permanent resident (green card). I put “resident returning to Australia”. I am visiting home for two weeks. Should i have put “visitor”? Do i need to submit a new DPD?
I don’t think it really matters.
This web app is pretty difficult to use and I am a web developer with 15 years experience.
Example, BA15 LHR->SIN->SYD
the app only accepts the first leg to SIN with code BA15. Any amount of manual entry has various fields being reset and the form validation complains about missing data etc.
In my case the trick was to find the codeshare id of the second leg SIN->SYD, I used airportia dot com, AY5915. I could then move on to passport photo
Yes, it’s terrible, the whole form is full of bugs and situations which clearly haven’t been thought about. The funniest/most disturbing part is the amount of money they spend on creating this. Deserves a royal commission haha
Hi,
We completed DPD and got message with subject “ Australia Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) – Ready to present your DPD at check-in ” and few hours later we got message that DPD is “Incomplete”. Upon checking found that everything was complete and clicked on “Submit” again. And now we got the first message again ie “Ready to present” – is there a bug in DPD systems?
Don’t want to be stuck at the airport.
as long as it shows complete online it’s all good. The system is full of bugs, arguably the best use of $60,000,000 tax payer funds haha!
What a load of nonsense this form is – truly a day late and a dollar short now that a negatve Covid test is no longer required when flying into Australia.
Flying on the Thursday from the Americas I fill in the form on the Tuesday, download the pdf when completed onto my laptop. Delayed by weather for 24 hours I arrive on a Qantas flight at 0700 on a Sunday. My phone shows I have received an email from Home Affairs one hour earlier – ie 23 hours after I should have arrived – thanking me for having completed the DPD.
Then the passport reader rejects my passport and directs me to Customer Service. Get there and am directed right to an area with maybe 8 or so Border Farce all on double time and a half. Join a queue of maybe 6. ( my guess is they were pulling maybe one in 500 out of arrivals – if that.). My turn comes – asked to show my DPD which I have ready to show on my laptop. Bloke barely glances at it and wanders off to consult someone backstage. Comes back some minutes later and says I am free to go.
What a farce. Everything on the form is readily available to BF via MyGov etc. BF certainly let Centrelink know the moment I leave the country so can see no reason it wouldn’t work in reverse.
Maybe they could learn from Ecuador, a simple A4 form to complete https://declaracionsalud-viajero.msp.gob.ec and lodge electronically. On arrival everyone, not just one in 500, has to show a copy of this form and their international vax cert before proceeding to immigration.
The DPD is a joke and should be scrapped.
Yes – exactly! This whole process is a national embarrassment. Unlike most mere mortals, I have had to complete seven of these stupid, time wasting, idiotic, non-sense, example of bureaucratic incompetence. Every single piece of data submitted – the government can access. Even our flight routings if they so wish. I would love to meet the moron who came up with this piece of ……..
It really deserves its own royal enquiry: how did this cost the taxpayer 60 million and whose mate was in charge of that development company that “won” the bid…
Hi, my mom is traveling alone from MNL-SIN and SIN-MEL on 25 June
However, she already submitted the DPD (earlier than 72 hours) and I found some errors on the emergency contact and email addresses 🙁 I’m so stressed out, how can we edit it so there wouldn’t be problems in the immigration?
Thank you
I really wouldn’t worry about a few errors! It’s one of those forms no one looks at. As long as she can show the confirmation at check-in that’s all that matters. However, I think you can edit it because it’s not possible to submit the full declaration earlier than 72h. If you login to her account you will see that there are sections incomplete if it’s outside the 72h window. Or you can always just do a new one.
Hi
I’m Traveling from Tel Avis to Dubai and then to Melbourne. I filled in all the appropriate info for the first leg and got confirmation. Do I need to fill in the exact same info for the second leg (Dubai-Melbourne)?
Thanks
You should fill in the information about your flight to Australia. The other flights are irrelevant.
So, in that case, can we make another dpd for same person? because,the one is already submitted.. Thanks
Yes just make a new one
I have completed the DPD up to the point where I have to scan my vax certificate. It will not scan. I have a pdf image on my phone, also a screenshot but there is no capacity to upload these. Help!
You will be able to upload it but it needs to be a jpg. Easiest is to take a picture. Or use the web portal which is much easier to use.
Hi Tom,
I’ve submitted my DPD but decided to go a day earlier, how do i amend my DPD? Do i need to refill the DPD form again?
Create a new one or don’t worry about it. DPD is no longer required from tomorrow 06 July
Hello,
Do you know if the EU digital certificate is valid as International vaccination certificate? It shows only the name of the last vaccine done (pfizer) but my first vaccine was Astrazeneca.
I’ve booked my flight with Qantas but is operated by Emirates. In the DPD should I’ve to put QF or EK flight number?
Thanks
From tomorrow, 6th July the DPD and vaccine requirements to enter Australia will be scrapped.
Hi, I am on a flight from NZ to London making a technical stop in Adelaide. Do I need to fill out a DPD form?
From tomorrow, no more DPD is required. Otherwise yes.