{"id":"F2017L00306","name":"Comptroller-General of Customs Instrument of Approval No. 1 of 2017 – Advance Passenger Processing System","slug":"comptroller-general-of-customs-instrument-of-approval-no-1-of-2017-advance-passenger-processing-syst","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":96015,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2017L00306-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Comptroller-General of Customs Instrument of Approval No. 1 of 2017 – Advance Passenger Processing System","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 20.2\ntitle: COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\n![](image.001.png)  COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA\n\n \n\nCOMPTROLLER-GENERAL OF CUSTOMS INSTRUMENT OF APPROVAL No. 1 of 2017  – ADVANCE PASSENGER PROCESSING SYSTEM\n\n \n\nCUSTOMS ACT 1901\n\n \n\nI, ROMAN QUAEDVLIEG, Comptroller-General of Customs, under subsection 64ACA(2)(b) of the Customs Act 1901 (the Act) and for the purposes of subsection 64ACA(2) of the Act, approve the “Advance Passenger Processing” system as an electronic system for the operator of an aircraft that is due to arrive, from a place outside Australia, at an airport in Australia (whether it is the first or any subsequent airport of the flight) to report to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection on each passenger who will be on board the aircraft at the time of arrival at the airport.\n\n \n\nThis instrument commences on 1 April 2017.\n\n \n\n \n\nDated: 22 March 2017\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nROMAN QUAEDVLIEG\n\nComptroller-General of Customs\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a straightforward administrative approval instrument exercising a specific power under the Customs Act 1901. It does exactly what the empowering provision (subsection 64ACA(2)) contemplates: approving an electronic system for advance passenger reporting. There is no indication of scope creep or expansion beyond the original statutory purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Single operative provision with straightforward approval language","No defined terms section","No cross-references to other legislation beyond the empowering provision (subsection 64ACA(2)(b))","No conditional logic, exceptions, or procedural requirements","Total length: approximately 150 words of substantive content","Simple administrative instrument format — essentially a one-paragraph approval with commencement date"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a formal approval by Australia's top customs official (the Comptroller-General of Customs) for airlines to use a specific electronic system called \"Advance Passenger Processing\" (APP).\n\n**What it does:**\n- Allows airlines to report passenger information to the government electronically before their planes land in Australia\n- Covers all international flights coming into Australia, whether it's the first stop or a connecting flight\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Airlines** operating international flights to Australia — they can use this approved system to meet their reporting obligations\n- **Passengers** on international flights to Australia — their details are transmitted to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection before arrival\n- **Border officials** — they receive advance passenger data to process arrivals more efficiently\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis approval creates the legal basis for the APP system, which lets border security check passengers against watchlists and identify risks before planes land. It streamlines border processing and enhances security by giving authorities advance notice of who is arriving."},"summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument does not alter the law; it only approves a particular electronic system for use under existing passenger reporting requirements in the Customs Act 1901."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose approval instrument.","Simply names a specific electronic system as approved; no new rules or obligations are imposed.","No interpretive difficulty or cross-referencing."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument is an approval by the Comptroller‑General of Customs under the *Customs Act 1901*. It designates the “Advance Passenger Processing” system as an approved electronic system for use by operators of aircraft that arrive at an Australian airport from outside Australia.\n\nThe operator must use this system to report to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection on each passenger who will be on board at the time of arrival. The approval commenced on 1 April 2017.\n\nThe instrument does not create new reporting obligations; it simply names the electronic system that meets the requirements of section 64ACA of the Act. Operators of international flights need to know that Advance Passenger Processing is the approved method for providing passenger information. No other system may be used for this purpose under the provision.\n\nThe instrument is directed at airlines and other aircraft operators coming to Australia from overseas. It has no direct effect on passengers."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument exercises an existing statutory power (subsection 64ACA(2)(b)) to approve an electronic system for passenger reporting; it does not itself amend the Customs Act or broaden the statutory reporting power. The instrument confines its effect to approving the Advance Passenger Processing system for the identified reporting purpose and sets an effective date (1 April 2017). Any change in operational scope (for example, technical requirements or obligations beyond reporting each passenger) is not contained in this instrument and would require separate specification."},"complexity_factors":["Short, narrowly focused instrument that approves a named electronic system (low legislative complexity).","Statutory cross-reference to subsection 64ACA(2)(b) of the Customs Act 1901 (requires reader to consult the Act for breadth of authority).","Operational complexity left to other instruments or administrative guidance: technical standards, timing, data fields and enforcement mechanisms are not specified here.","Compliance obligation is clear in scope (operators arriving from outside Australia must report each passenger) but implementation depends on external operational rules.","Administrative discretion is concentrated (Comptroller‑General makes approval) which simplifies legal routing but leaves practical details to the Department."],"plain_english_summary":"The instrument formally approves the electronic \"Advance Passenger Processing\" system as an authorised means for reporting passenger information under the Customs Act, effective 1 April 2017. It requires operators of aircraft arriving into Australia from abroad to report each passenger expected on board to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.\n\nIt creates a legal reporting obligation for those operators but does not set technical standards, timing, fees or enforcement details, leaving operational implementation to further guidance."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/comptroller-general-of-customs-instrument-of-approval-no-1-of-2017-advance-passenger-processing-syst","history":"/api/acts/comptroller-general-of-customs-instrument-of-approval-no-1-of-2017-advance-passenger-processing-syst/history","analysis":"/api/acts/comptroller-general-of-customs-instrument-of-approval-no-1-of-2017-advance-passenger-processing-syst/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/comptroller-general-of-customs-instrument-of-approval-no-1-of-2017-advance-passenger-processing-syst/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/comptroller-general-of-customs-instrument-of-approval-no-1-of-2017-advance-passenger-processing-syst/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/comptroller-general-of-customs-instrument-of-approval-no-1-of-2017-advance-passenger-processing-syst/documents"}}