Aussies eligible for UK e-passport gates

Australian travellers have been granted quicker access to the UK where electronic 'gates' will accept passports from Down Under.

Australians will be able to use e-passport gates to get through British airports. (AAP)

Travellers touching down in the United Kingdom will spend less time waiting in immigration queues with the introduction of electronic passport gates for Australians.

The British High Commission on Monday confirmed the self-use terminals are operational for visitors with a chipped passport.

"I'm delighted that Australian nationals will benefit from their use and have a smooth beginning to their visit to our country," Home Secretary Sajid Javid said in a statement.

In 2017 about 1.4 million Australian passports were processed at UK ports.

Travellers aged 12 to 18 must be accompanied by an adult to use the electronic gates and those aged less than 11 will still need to speak with an immigration officer.

"The UK is already a world leader in automated passenger clearance, allowing more nationalities to use ePassport gates than anywhere else," Monday's statement read.