Airport liquid rules

International flights from Australia

When you leave Australia, or connect onto an international flight, every liquid, aerosol and gel in your cabin bag must be in a container of 100 ml or less. All of those containers must fit together in one clear, resealable plastic bag no larger than one litre (roughly 20 x 20 cm), and each passenger gets one bag. It comes out of your cabin bag at screening.

The rule is about the container, not what is inside it: a 200 ml bottle that is half empty is still refused.

Domestic flights

On flights within Australia there is no liquids limit for carry-on. You can take a full-size shampoo from Melbourne to Brisbane. The catch comes when a domestic leg connects to an international one: you may be screened again and the 100 ml rule then applies.

What counts as a liquid

• Drinks, soups, sauces, syrups and anything you could pour.
• Creams, lotions, sunscreen, toothpaste, gels and hair products.
• Aerosols, including deodorant and dry shampoo sprays.
• Spreadable foods: Vegemite, peanut butter, honey, yoghurt and dips.
• Mascara, liquid foundation and lip gloss.

Exemptions

• Medicines: prescription and essential non-prescription medicine in reasonable quantities, ideally with a label or a letter from your doctor. Declare them at screening.
• Baby food and milk: enough for the journey when travelling with an infant.
• Duty free: liquids bought after security, sealed in a tamper-evident bag with the receipt. Do not open the bag before your last connection.

Avoid the bin at security

• Decant into 100 ml travel bottles and label them.
• Switch to solids: shampoo bars, solid deodorant and toothpaste tablets do not count as liquids.
• Keep the clear bag at the top of your cabin bag so it comes out in seconds.