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Good preparation starts well before you reach the airport. Doing your homework, booking smart, having the right documents, and being adequately insured can save significant time, money and stress.
It pays to shop around for best schedules, ticket prices and your choice of airline. Travel search engines can be handy for comparisons and to see what’s possible for your preferred destination. Browse online reviews for airlines. Check out airline on-time performance at the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) website.
Book your trip early to increase the chances of better flight options and prices. When you book may affect prices and options. There may higher priced and fewer seats available on popular travel days. See the Book smart section for more information.
Always consider travel insurance including for domestic flights. Ideally, you should buy travel insurance before booking or as soon after as possible, to ensure you’re covered – including if you need to cancel your trip. See the Travel Insurance Section for more info.
Allow extra time for unforeseen events. Consider booking an earlier flight or arriving a day early to ensure you don’t miss your tour, cruise or other important event.
Travelling with disability? Plan ahead for a smooth journey. There are a range of supports available to you. See our Travelling with Disability section.
Travelling with children? Flying with children requires additional planning. See our Children and Travel section.
Travelling overseas? Check travel advice, entry requirements and travel documents for destinations you’re travelling to on the Smartraveller website and see the Flying Overseas Section for more info.
Make sure you’re fit to fly. If you have a medical condition or have recently had surgery, you may require medical clearance to board your flight. This process will usually involve obtaining documentation from your airline that will then need to be completed by your doctor and submitted back to the airline for review before you are considered fit to fly. It is important that you complete this procedure with enough time to ensure that you are not denied boarding at the airport. Contact your airline to find out their specific medical clearance process.
Travelling with pets? Confirm whether your airline allows pets and review their conditions and fees. Certain airlines permit pets only in the cargo hold through freight services or pet travel experts, while others allow pets in the cabin. If your pet is going in the cargo hold, make sure the crate meets International Air Travel Association (IATA) standards and is the right size. Be aware that some animal breeds might be subject to restrictions.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not mandatory yet is strongly recommended by the Australian Government. Without it, you may bear the full cost of medical emergencies, cancellations, lost luggage, and other unexpected events. Some countries won’t let you in if you don’t have insurance.
Not all travel insurance policies are the same, and you should always check product disclosure statements and fine print.
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Smart Traveller has partnered with CHOICE to provide you with an easy-to-read guide on how to choose the best travel insurance for your trip.
Ideally, you should buy travel insurance at the time of booking or shortly after to ensure you’re covered in the event of any issues before your journey – including if you need to cancel your trip.
TIP: Some credit cards include complimentary travel insurance. Always check coverage is sufficient and activated, noting it’s usually a requirement to pay for travel on that card. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).
Flying overseas
The Smartraveller website has a wealth of travel advice for when you’re flying overseas including information on safety, health, local laws and consular assistance. Subscribe to the Smart Traveller subscription service to receive travel advice and alerts to the destinations you are travelling to and through.
The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance and can assist with emergency passports, medical evacuations and connecting with family:
- +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
- 1300 555 135 from within Australia
Passport and travel documents
All Australian citizens require a valid passport for international travel. The Australian Passport Office in DFAT issues Australian passports. Many countries require at least 6 months of passport validity beyond your planned departure date. Check specific entry requirements for your destination on the Smart Traveller website.
Research visa requirements well in advance. Some countries offer visa-on-arrival or eVisas and others require applying weeks or months ahead.
Children must hold their own passport and cannot be added to a parent's passport. Some carriers require children travelling alone, including on domestic flights, to have photo ID like a passport.
Declaring items
Travellers arriving in Australia must declare certain items, especially food, plant or animal products, as they may pose biosecurity risks. If you’re unsure, declare it or dispose of it before screening, as penalties may apply for failing to declare, but not for declaring prohibited items.
For more information on what can be brought in and out of Australia, and what items need to be declared, visit the Australian Border Force website.
Carrying expensive items
If you’re departing Australia with expensive items, such as computers and cameras, and you intend to bring them back to Australia, register these items on the B263 Goods exported in passenger baggage form: B263 - Goods Exported in Passenger Baggage.
You can’t use this form if you intend claiming a refund under the Tourist Refund Scheme. The goods registered must be easily identifiable and include information like serial numbers.
Goods purchased duty or tax free in Australia must be taken with you and inspected at the departure point. You may also need to declare these on your return.
Children and travel
Quick tips:
- Check if the airline offers an unaccompanied minor service, how to book it and if there’s an extra fee.
- Fill in any forms the airline requires and bring ID for the child, the adult dropping them off and the adult picking them up.
- Get to the airport early so there’s enough time for check-in and paperwork.
- Check where your child will be collected by airline staff and if the adult dropping them off needs to stay until the plane has taken off.
- If your child has a connecting flight, ensure the airline is aware and if any restrictions apply.
- If your child has a medical condition or allergy, tell the airline before you travel and pack any medicine in their carry-on bag.
It's important to plan when travelling with children.
Make sure you have the required ID for children and understand children baggage allowances, as some airline requirements may differ. Be aware that all children are required to be security screened, even those who are unaccompanied.
Pack into your carryon luggage any food or medicines your child will need in the airport or onboard your flight and check the airline rules. If your child has a serious medical condition or one that may affect their ability to travel, let the airline know before you fly. Plan for unforeseen situations like:
- there are no empty seats
- there are no baby changing tables
- your child won't or can't eat the airline's food
- the airline delays your flight
- the airline loses your checked luggage.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s website provides helpful information regarding requirements when travelling with children.
Infants
In Australia, an infant is a child who has not turned 2 years of age, although airline rules can differ, especially on overseas carriers. Check the rules of your overseas airline operator.
Seating
Airline seat allocation procedures for family groups, children and infants aim to seat children close to their parents or guardians in the same seat row. Where this isn’t possible, an airline might separate children by no more than one seat row or aisle away from their accompanying adults. This allows adults to reach their children quickly during an emergency evacuation.
Try to seat small children beside the window or in between 2 responsible adults. This helps prevent them getting bumped by a passing person or serving cart.
You can secure an infant on your lap with a supplementary loop belt. The cabin crew will give you one before take-off and let you know how to use it. Children over the age of 2 years must occupy their own seat and can't sit on your lap.
Bassinets
You can use bassinets mounted on a bulkhead, except during take-off or landing. You should make sure to stow it away during these times, so as not to interfere with an evacuation.
Child restraint systems
You may consider using a child restraint system (e.g. a car seat approved for use on commercial aircraft) as it provides a higher level of safety. Your airline needs to approve this, so check with your airline in advance and ensure the product you’re using will fit in your booked seat. Booster seats without an internal harness cannot be used on flights in Australia.
Once a child has outgrown their full harness child restraint, it’s safe for them to use the aircraft seat and lap belt. Always ensure that their seatbelt remains fastened at all times whilst on board.
Unaccompanied minors
An unaccompanied minor is a child aged 5 to 11, though exact age limits vary by carrier. Some airlines offer supervised support, including check-in assistance, escorting the child to boarding, in-flight supervision and handover to a nominated guardian at the destination.
Other young unaccompanied passengers
Airlines may offer support to other young unaccompanied passengers typically aged between 11 and 15, on a voluntary basis. This service identifies to airline staff and crew that the young passenger is travelling on their own and may require additional assistance, especially in case of disruptions.