Latest Travel Updates - information for UQ travellers
COMING 16 December 2025: Changes to the UniTask Travel Request form
We’re introducing several enhancements to the UniTask Travel Request for both domestic and international travel.
The improved UniTask Travel Request will go live Tuesday 16 December 2025.
Why are we making these changes?
The changes are designed to improve your user experience. They are informed by feedback from travel bookers and travellers, as well as recommendations from a recent UQ Internal Audit of travel processes.
Any Travel Requests submitted prior to the go-live date will not take on the new enhancements and will remain in the current (old) format and workflow. We recommend that where possible users delay submitting non-urgent travel requests until after the new form becomes available on 16 December 2025.
What are the changes?
- Streamlined Information Entry
To reduce duplication and simplify data entry:
- The Travel Diary and Dual Purpose sections have been combined into a single Trip Details table
- Budget details have been consolidated into a single Budget table
- Requestors can copy previous Travel Requests, saving time when submitting similar trips
- Automated Policy Compliance Validation
To make it easier for users to understand whether proposed travel is compliant with the Travel Policy and Dual Purpose Travel (DPT) Procedure, the form includes validation to:
- Distinguish between business days and private days, and ensure all travel days are accounted for as either a business or private day
- Only permit travel to business locations and not private locations
- Flexibility to Update Approved Forms (NEW FEATURE)
To provide greater flexibility, requesters will now be able to make changes to an approved trip (instead of cancelling and submitting a new trip), including:
- Amending travel dates
- Adding or removing locations
- Updating travel activities
- Adding or removing private days
- Amending budget details and funding sources
Please note that some (but not all) of these changes will require the travel form to be reapproved, but the system will automatically identify when reapproval is required and trigger a request for reapproval accordingly.
Students
These changes do not apply to student or HDR travel (refer to the Student Travel Procedure).
Booking Travel
There are no changes to how bookings are made. Please refer to the Six steps for travel.
Support and resources
User guides will be available on the UQ Travel website under Resources.
Please contact UQ Travel if you have further questions.
15 August 2025 - European Entry/Exit System (EES)
From 12 October, the European Union (EU) will begin rolling out its new European Entry/Exit System (EES) for all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen area. Full implementation is expected by 10 April 2026.
EES registration will replace manual passport stamping with digital registration of biometric data (fingerprints, photo) and responses to border questions. Initial registration may take a few minutes and could lead to longer border queues.
Once registered, repeat travellers within 3 years will only need to provide either a fingerprint or photo on entry and exit.
Important:
- Short stays for work and/or leisure are still limited to 90 days within any 180-day period.
- Overstaying may result in penalties.
- Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice — check with embassy or consulate before travel.
More info: