World Border Security Congress2018-03-19 14:58:49
The Australian Government will become a world leader in the delivery of biometric collection, processing and matching services with the announcement of the new Enterprise Biometric Identification Services (EBIS) system.
This new capability will allow the Department of Home Affairs to more accurately process and more effectively analyse biometric data from 100 per cent of travellers.
EBIS will also alert the Australian Border Force when intervention is needed.
The EBIS system will vastly improve Australia’s biometric storage and processing capability; consolidating biometrics collected through visa and detention programs with biometric data collected at the border through SmartGates.
Traveller numbers to Australia are due to increase from 40 to 50 million by 2020 and it is critical that we have technology that allows legitimate travellers to be efficiently processed while also ensuring individuals of concern are identified and disrupted.
The Assistant Minister for Home Affairs, Alex Hawke said that this new system will facilitate legitimate travel and protect our community from the activities of potential terrorists and criminals.
“The EBIS system will significantly increase our biometric collection and storage capability, giving us an even stronger platform to identify and protect Australia from individuals who might wish to do us harm,” Mr Hawke said.
“It will also help us to identify and facilitate a more seamless travel experience for people who present no risk.
“This is a vital tool for our visa and citizenship services and it provides a significant boost to Australian security to deal with growing international traveller and migration numbers.”
The Department of Home Affairs has entered into a multiyear contract, valued at up to $44.2 million, with Unisys Australia Pty Ltd to provide high volume, state-of-the-art biometric services.
This investment demonstrates the Turnbull Government’s commitment to keeping our borders secure and Australians safe.
