Organization : Department of Home Affairs
Facility : Advance Passenger Processing (APP) System
Country : Australia
Website : https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/
Home Affairs APP System
All regular passenger transport airlines operating international flights to and from Australia must use the Advance Passenger Processing (APP) system to report all passengers and crew.
Related : Department of Home Affairs LEGENDcom Service Australia : www.statusin.org/41983.html
Completing APP reports enables airlines to meet their legislative obligations and confirms whether passengers and crew have authority to travel to Australia.
Airlines that do not report a passenger or crew member may be subject to an infringement of AUD 2100 per person, in lieu of prosecution. The Advance Passenger Processing (APP) Arrivals and Departures manual – July 2017 (456KB PDF) is a reference guide to support airlines meet their reporting obligations.
APP reporting enhances the Australian Government’s ability to target security concerns and streamlines the border clearance process for travellers.
APP for Cruise Lines
Advance Passenger Processing (APP) is the system mandated by the Australian Government for cruise ship operators to use to report to the Department of Home Affairs (the Department), all passengers and crew before they enter Australia.
The report confirms for the cruise lines and agents that their passengers and crew hold a valid visa or travel authority to enter Australia. The report also provides advance warning to the Department about who is arriving, including any ‘persons-of-interest’.
APP reporting is mandatory for passenger vessels entering Australia with over 100 berths in size. Reports must be submitted to the Department no later than 96 hours before the vessel arrives in Australia, however, reporting can commence up to 30 days before the expected arrival date.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I contact the Border Operations Centre to link a new passport?
Yes. Once the unknown passport data is recorded, airlines will not receive a ‘Contact BOC’ response for the life of this travel document whenever the passenger presents this passport for international arriving/departing flights for Australia.
In the case of an Australian dual national, the link can also be found by the APP system for their international flight check-in.
The check-in process will facilitate SmartGate clearance as the Advance Passenger Processing (APP) report will pre-populate the passport and flight details allowing for faster processing and speedier arrival at the boarding gate.
2. Is APP necessary for infants and children?
Yes. Travellers of all ages, including infants and children with or without a separate travel document and a boarding pass, are a separate legal individual and the same APP reporting requirements apply.
Airlines are reminded that failing to provide APP reports for travellers of any age will be counted towards APP non-compliance and may result in an infringement notice being issued.
3. Can crew use the Departure SmartGates?
No. Crew cannot be processed via the Departure SmartGates as the technology does not yet support this function.
Departure SmartGates will record crew as passengers resulting in airlines being charged extra passenger movement charges. Instead, crew must be manually processed at immigration clearance.