Airport security checks giving check-in staff a "board" or "no board" message for each passenger have been introduced for all travellers leaving Australia for international destinations in a bid to stop the flow of foreign fighters to Islamic State. 
The outbound passenger checks, which supplement long-running inbound checks, were mandated as part of a bill aimed at countering foreign fighters in 2014, but took time to roll out.
Taking just seconds, the new technology gives a "board" or "no board" message to the check-in agent or automated kiosk.
Carriers will receive a financial penalty each time they fail to provide advance passenger processing information for an outbound traveller, just as they do for inbound travellers. There are now 2 million checks a month processed through the newly installed outbound database.
SITA regional director Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific Jay Youlten, whose company is behind the technology, said passengers who received a "no board" message at check-in might ultimately be able to board if it turned out to be in error, but that would require the agent phoning authorities for approval.
He said the technology helped reduce queues at immigration, where the government is installing so-called SmartGates, automated departures that allow passengers to self-process using their passport and facial recognition technology.
The new measures come at a time when border protection and customs staff at Australian airports and seaports are threat-ening to strike over pay and conditions.
At the weekend, Fair Work Commissioner Nick Wilson issued an interim order suspending strike action. On Wednesday, Mr Wilson published his reasons, citing the risk to national security. The case is expected to return to the commission on Thursday.
Mr Youlten said nations had long focused on potential security risks from inbound travellers rather than those exiting the country.
He said other governments using the most recent version of SITA technology, including Malaysia, Thailand, Qatar and others, had the outbound check capability available to them, but his company was unsure if they were using it.
John Gibbon, assistant secretary traveller branch at the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, said the advance passenger processing delivered a faster and more seamless experience for travellers while meeting the needs to manage threats and ensure border integrity.