SMARTGATE NOW AVAILABLE AT SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

3 July 2009

The Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O'Connor, officially announced today that SmartGate, the self-processing option for travellers, is now available at Sydney International Airport.

SmartGate uses ePassport data and face recognition technology to perform the customs and immigration checks usually conducted by a Customs and Border Protection officer.

The two-step process offers travellers arriving into Australia another safe, efficient way to clear through passport control.

Mr O'Connor said SmartGate is a long-term business solution to assist Customs and Border Protection in processing the anticipated number of travellers without compromising border protection.

"SmartGate aims to make border crossing simpler and easier, but at the same time, maintain the integrity of the border. With more than five million passengers arriving at Sydney International Airport each year, SmartGate will be of great advantage for Australian and New Zealand travellers who regularly use Australia's busiest international airport," Mr O'Connor said.

SmartGate is proving popular and more than 350,000 travellers have used the self-processing option since it was first introduced in Brisbane in 2007.

SmartGate is also available at Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Cairns international airports.

To be eligible to use SmartGate, Australian and New Zealand travellers need to be the holder of an ePassport and be aged 18 or over.

Media Contact: Christian Taubenschlag 0438 595 567

Photos of passengers using SmartGate are available in the Customs Media image gallery at www.customs.gov.au

Broadcast quality vision of SmartGate in operation at Sydney Airport can be downloaded from customs.ondeadline.com.au.