24 Oct 2025

Australia marks 20 years of Biometric Passports

M Series passport from 2005
Image: M Series passport 2005

On 24 October 2005, Australia became one of the first countries in the world to introduce biometric passports, known as ePassports. 

These passports came with an embedded microchip that securely stored your photo and personal data making travel safer, faster, and smarter. 

Fast forward 20 years, and all Australian passports are now ePassports. They’ve helped millions of Aussies breeze through borders, reduce identity fraud, and stay ahead of a rapidly changing travel world. 

This milestone isn’t just about tech. It’s about trust, innovation, and keeping Australians moving confidently across the globe.