Development Of Biometric Technology For Border Control

The Australian Government will commit a total of $185.7 million over the next four years to develop biometric technology at Australia's borders to speed passenger processing and boost border security.

The use of biometric technology at our borders will improve the security and efficiency of passenger processing and enable Australia to cope with increased passenger volumes. The initiative will also contribute to national security and reduce the cost to the community of identity fraud. The program builds on initiatives started in 2002-03.

The initiative includes the introduction of biometric passports later this year for all new and replacement Australian Passport holders. The ePassports contain a microchip that will store an electronic image of the passport holder. The program will cost the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade $67.5 million over the first four years and will be offset by a $19 increase in the fee for an adult passport and a $9.50 increase in the fee for a child/senior passport.

The introduction of ePassports will ensure Australia's continued participation in the US Visa Waiver Programme. It will also provide Australians with a highly secure and reliable identity document and ensure that we remain at the leading edge of international passport technology and fraud detection techniques.

An allocation of $61.7 million over four years will enable the Australian Customs Service to automate border processing. This will enable travellers using ePassports to self-process through the primary line without having to present to a Customs officer. The face of the traveller presenting at the self-processing kiosk will be matched against the image stored in their ePassport, to confirm their identity.

Customs will build on the success of the Smart Gate system currently trialling self processing using face recognition at Sydney and Melbourne International Airports, to gradually phase in automated border processing at major airports. The rollout will be linked to the anticipated uptake of Australian and foreign biometrically enabled ePassports.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) has been allocated $42.9 million to implement biometric technology for border security and identity verification. This technology will enable better identification and screening of non-citizens seeking to enter Australia. Visa application charges (excluding tourism, student and visitor visa classes) will be increased by 5 per cent to offset the costs of the new programme.

The Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner will receive $0.7 million over four years to provide advice and conduct privacy audits to assist the three agencies in addressing privacy issues that may arise as a result of the use of biometrics.

Media Inquiries: Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's Office) 02 6277 7500, Brad Burke (Senator Ellison's Office) 02 6277 7260, Kevin Donnellan ( Senator Vanstone's Office ) 02 6277 7860