The Australian Department of Immigration will build a giant database to store digital photographs, fingerprints and other biometric identifiers from visa applicants and immigration detainees to upgrade its border security.

The database will digitally store pictures of visa applicants, along with biometric identifiers such as iris scans, facial geometry and height and weight details. This information can then be electronically compared with watch lists, and will be used to identify applicants at each stage of the visa process.

While the US has taken to fingerprinting all visitors, Australia is unlikely to do the same, given the cost and complexity of taking and storing the data.

From Australian IT.