New flights to take off with upgrades to Perth airport

The Albanese Labor Government is investing $24.2 million dollars to deliver additional border services at airports, including a major boost to Perth airport to help cement the city as a world class tourist hub.

The investment in additional staffing and equipment at Perth Airport will increase border and biosecurity capacity and in turn allow the airport to host more international flights.

We are pleased that as a result of this investment, Qantas has today announced that it will recommence flights to Johannesburg, South Africa and Auckland New Zealand.

Demand for services at Perth airport is rapidly growing. In January 2025, Perth airport saw 515,581 international passengers, breaking the record high set just the previous month in December 2024.

The Government's investment will allow Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, to ensure smooth operation for trade and tourism, while protecting our border from threats to Australia's safety and security.

This investment and the growth in flights is expected to support hundreds of new jobs in WA and enable the airport to continue processing record breaking numbers of passengers.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell:

"More international flights into Perth is an outstanding outcome for our tourism industry.

"This will deliver more tourists into Perth, additional connections for expat communities and another opportunity to showcase our country to the world.

"The Albanese Labor Government has been working hard to see our tourism industries continue to grow and increasing international connectivity is an important part of that."

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Tony Burke:

"This funding allows the capabilities of the Australian Border Force to grow in line with the sustained growth in passenger numbers at Perth Airport.

"Investment in travel supports local businesses through attracting international tourism, and provides West Australians more job opportunities and more choices for their holidays."

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins:

"Every year millions of travellers come to Australia, and every year our frontline staff intercept biosecurity risks to our farmland and environment.

"This funding will mean we can maintain our biosecurity standards at these airports and seaports, which is critical to protecting Australia from exotic pests or disease outbreaks.

"It builds on the more than $1 billion in funding that the Albanese Labor Government has invested in Australia's biosecurity system since 2022, cleaning up the mess the Liberals and Nationals left it in."