Would you pay $20 to save a bit of time at the airport?
Passengers departing through Sydney’s International terminal will now be able to purchase a pass that will give them access to a priority queue before security screening.
The ‘Fast Track’ pass is available to any customers travelling through Terminal 1 departures and aims to “reduce stress, save time and enable customers to move through the airport more efficiently during peak travel periods”, according to Sydney Airport’s website.
Fast Track passes can be purchased in advance, including on the day of travel, for AUD$20 (inc GST) per person through the Sydney Airport Fast Track booking page.
“More than 42 million people travel through Sydney Airport each year and that number is expected to grow significantly in the decades ahead,” said Sydney Airport Group Executive in Commercial, Mark Zaouk.
“Our job is to make sure the airport experience keeps pace with those expectations and remains as smooth, efficient and seamless as possible.
“Fast Track is part of our broader investment in improving the passenger journey by giving passengers more choice, reducing friction and helping people.”
The policy will operate separately from the existing priority screening access provided to eligible First Class, Business Class and frequent flyer passengers.
However, it does not guarantee faster processing through security, border control, or other airport processes
This launch forms part of the airport’s broader upgrade program, which includes improvements such as a new SmartGate technology, terminal upgrades and digital services such as Digital Concierge, which are designed to deliver faster and more seamless travel experiences.
Once passengers book the pass online, they receive a QR code granting access to the priority queue before security screening in the departures terminal.
Some Australians have questioned whether the pass is worth the $20 fee, with one social media user being concerned what will happen if many people purchase the pass.
“I think the price is over the top for what you get,” one said.
“However there will be many who will use it which means that will lessen the people in the ‘not Fast Track’ queue!!”
“For $20, I would want my own screeners,” another added.
News.com.au has reached out to Sydney Airport for comment.
The news comes just days after it was announced that Australians and tourists arriving into the country from overseas would no longer have to use paper arrival cards.
Instead, passengers will fill out digital cards, required for re-entry to Australia and include customs declarations and travel information.
More than 450,000 passengers have already trialled digital-only cards since October 2024 on Qantas flights arriving at Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
That program is expected to be expanded to Qantas flights into Perth and Adelaide by the end of 2026, before being rolled out at all international airports and seaports over the next 12 to 18 months.
Initially, the form will be available via the website, but is expected to eventually be available through an app.
The government said the trial had returned anecdotal evidence of “significant success”.
“Making arrivals simpler and quicker means visitors can spend less time filling out forms and more time enjoying everything Australia has to offer,” Tourism Minister Don Farrell said.
“This is a win for tourists and a win for our tourism operators, helping make Australia an even easier and more welcoming place to visit.”
The broader rollout of the scheme will be funded through a $56.1m investment over four years.
It is expected to streamline facilitation and reduce manual processing for passengers, enable digital collection of information ahead of time, and increase data quality for risk assessments.
It will also allow for rapid updates and “management of global risks and events”, such as biosecurity outbreaks, according to the government.
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