The ABTA Destinations team have been advised that effective 30 June, the Australian Government has introduced new security screening rules, restricting powdered items in carry-on baggage.
This applies if you are:
- leaving Australia
- transiting through Australia from another country
- travelling on the domestic leg of a flight departing from an Australian international terminal,
Australian Government Department of Home Affairs
Travelling with powders, liquids, aerosols and gels
Domestic flights
Flights within Australia are not subject to restrictions on how much powder, liquid, aerosols and gels you can carry onboard.
However, if you are travelling domestically, but departing from an international terminal (for example, Terminal 1 in Sydney or Terminal 2 in Melbourne—your boarding ticket will confirm if you are departing from an international terminal), you are subject to powder, liquid, aerosol and gel restrictions.
In particular, all aerosol containers must have a fitted cap, or locking device.
International flights
Australia restricts the quantity of liquids, aerosols, gels and certain powders you can carry onboard international flights only. These restrictions do not apply to your checked-in baggage. This applies if you are:
- leaving Australia
- transiting through Australia from another country
- travelling on the domestic leg of a flight departing from an Australian international terminal, e.g. passengers departing Sydney international airport on a flight to Melbourne.
Restrictions on liquids, aerosols and gels also apply if you are arriving on international flights.
These restrictions are strictly applied. Security screening officers have the final say if there is any doubt about what items can be carried onboard.
You are also advised to check the dangerous goods restrictions.
What are powders, liquids, aerosols and gels?
Powders, liquids, aerosols and gels are:
- Liquid—a substance that is liquid when at room temperature.
- Aerosol—a substance kept in a container under pressure.
- Gel—a jelly-like substance.
- Powder—fine dry particles produced by the grinding, crushing, or disintegration of a solid substance (for example, flour, sugar, ground coffee, spices, powdered milk, baby formula or cosmetics). Powders may also be presented in clumpy, grain, or compressed material forms.
Note: Inorganic powder is a powder not consisting of, or derived from, living matter.
What are the quantity restrictions?
Powders
- There is no limit on organic powders, such as food and powdered baby formula.
- There are quantity restrictions on the amount of inorganic powder that can be carried, such as salt, talcum powder and sand.
- Inorganic powders must be in containers of 350 millilitres (volume), 350 grams (weight) or less.
- The total volume of inorganic powders must not exceed 350 millilitres, 350 grams per person.
- Passengers cannot tip powders out to fall under the 350ml threshold as the restriction is calculated on total container volume.
There are no restrictions on the number of containers of inorganic powders per person, provided the total volume of all the containers of inorganic powder is 350 millilitres or less.
At the screening point all powders in your carry-on baggage must be separately presented for screening. Unlike liquids, they do not need to be put in a re-sealable plastic bag.
Liquids, aerosols and gels
- Liquid, aerosol or gel items must be in containers of 100 millilitres (volume), 100 grams (weight) or less.
- Containers must fit into one transparent and re-sealable plastic bag like a snap-lock sandwich bag.
- The four sides of the bag’s sealed area must add up to no more than 80 centimetres (e.g. 20×20 cm or 15×25 cm).
- Only one bag is allowed per passenger, with exceptions for carers who may carry the bag/s for people in their care, including children.
Containers larger than 100 millilitres or 100 grams, even if only partially-filled, containing liquids, aerosols or gels will not be allowed through the security screening point. For example, a 200 gram toothpaste tube that is half-full will not be permitted.
At the screening point all liquids, aerosols and gels in your carry-on baggage must be separately presented for screening.
Examples of powders
| Inorganic powders (restrictions apply) |
Organic powders (not restricted) |
| All powders must be separately presented for screening. The total volume of inorganic powders must not exceed 350 millilitres (volume), 350 grams (weight) in total container (based on container volume/weight). | |
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Some items may not be obvious, such as snow domes or toys and souvenirs with sand or granular material inside. If you are unsure if an item will pass screening, pack it in your checked baggage.