Australian airport chaos

The Australian Border Force says it is working to fix a computer issue causing passport processing problems at several of Australia's international airports.

Thousands fill the arrivals hall at Sydney Airport Source: Twitter: David Berger

Passengers at international airports across Australia are being delayed by a computer systems outage.

It is understood SmartGate passport control machines, which work with e-passports and use facial recognition technology to check travellers' identities, have malfunctioned, requiring passports to be checked manually.

Passengers are being encouraged to arrive at airports early to allow additional time for processing.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) said it is working with the Department of Home Affairs to resolve the outage, which is affecting the processing of inbound and outbound passengers.

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