Travel documents

Before departure it's important to consider what travel documents you need for travel including your ticket, valid passport, forms of photo identification and more.

On this page

Tickets

You need a valid airline ticket to travel on any domestic or international flight. If you’re travelling on an electronic ticket (e-ticket), you’ll be issued with an itinerary receipt that you should carry with you at all times. Familiarise yourself with our Conditions of Carriage.

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Passports

All passengers need a valid passport for international travel, regardless of the destination, but as some countries require at least six months validity remaining on the passport, you should check with the consulates of all the countries you’re planning to visit prior to your departure, as you may be refused entry if you don't comply. 

Important things to know before you go:

Machine readable passports

Some countries now require customers to be travelling with a machine readable passport. It has been confirmed that South Africa, India and Colombia are imposing this requirement, among other countries.

You should check with the embassy of the country you are travelling to for their specific passport requirements. Non-compliance can result in denied boarding.

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Forms of identification

Domestic flights within Australia

If you're travelling on a domestic flight within Australia (flights QF400 and above), you'll need to carry the following items with you:

  • photo identification such as a driver's licence, passport or social security card; or
  • your Qantas booking reference (printed on your e-ticket itinerary receipt); or
  • your Qantas Frequent Flyer membership card, Qantas Club membership card; or
  • the credit card used to purchase the ticket.

Domestic flights within Australia departing from an international terminal

Domestic flights departing from an international terminal (flights QF1-QF399) are flights between Australian capital cities that connect to or from a Qantas International service. For example, flight QF9 from Melbourne to Perth continues on as QF9 from Perth to London.

If you're travelling on a domestic flight departing from an international terminal, and are 18 years of age or over, you'll be asked to produce photo identification (ID) that includes your full name at check-in.

Important points to remember when travelling domestically on an international flight include:

  • Your booking name must match the ID you're using.
  • Check-in is at the International terminal of the city you're departing from and International check-in times apply.
  • Airport Customer Service Agents will check your ID and attach a 'D' (Domestic) sticker to your boarding pass.
  • You must keep your boarding pass and present it at Customs clearance points at the commencement and conclusion of your domestic trip. This is required to comply with the Migration regulations administered by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

Find out more about domestic passengers travelling on international flights at Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Photo identification

Acceptable forms of ID include:

  • a valid passport (non-Australian customers must show a passport as ID);
  • a valid Driver’s Licence issued under a law of the Commonwealth of Australia or an Australian State or Territory;
  • a document issued by the Commonwealth of Australia, or a State or Territory of Australia, or by an authority of the Commonwealth of Australia, that identifies the person;
  • an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) issued by the operator of the aircraft, or the operator of an airport in Australia;
  • an Australian university or TAFE photo identification card; or
  • an Australian-issued APEC card.

Identification for customers under 18 years of age

Travelling with a parent or guardian:

Children under 18 years of age travelling with a parent or guardian can travel without an acceptable form of ID as long as the parent or guardian has an acceptable form of ID. A Customer Service Agent will endorse the child’s boarding pass with the details of the accompanying adult.

Travelling unaccompanied:

Children under 18 years of age travelling unaccompanied and without an acceptable form of ID can still travel. A Customer Service Agent will escort the child through International departure and arrivals channels.

Note that there are additional requirements for children under 12 years of age travelling unaccompanied. For information on domestic and international travel for unaccompanied minors visit children travelling alone.

Travelling as part of an organised school or community-based group:

Children must be accompanied by a school teacher or adult group leader holding a letter of authority which verifies that the adult has permission to escort the children. The accompanying adult will be responsible for the children at all times. The letter should contain the following information:

  • purpose of the trip;
  • full names and dates of birth of the accompanying adult(s);
  • full names, dates of birth and sex of each children travelling.

For further information visit travelling with children and infants.

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Visas

A visa is permission for a non-citizen to travel to or transit through a particular country. To find out if you need a visa for travel to a particular country, visit the IATA Travel Centre.

VisaLink

VisaLink a fast, easy, and secure solution for your international travel document needs, based on a return journey.

It's a third-party service provider that can assist with the process of visa applications for residents of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States and more.

Application and processing fees apply.

Australian citizens

If you need a visa to travel to a particular country, you need to contact the embassy of the country you are visiting. For a list of embassies in Australia visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Alternatively, for some visas you can visit VisaLink to request and process your visa application.

Non-Australian citizens

Visit the  Australian Department of Home Affairs if you are not an Australian citizen. Alternatively, for some visas you can visit VisaLink to request and process your visa application.

Australia visa requirements

The Australian Government requires some visitors and transit passengers to have a visa.

Visit the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website for more information on if you need a visa, the types of visas available, and how to apply.

If you have an e-visa for travel to Australia, ensure you have a printed copy to show at check-in and when boarding.

Indonesia electronic visa on arrival

When travelling to Bali or Jakarta, if you need a visa, then you may be able to apply for it in advance. 

Visit the Indonesian Immigration website for more information on applying for your electronic visa on arrival (e-VOA) before departure.

New Zealand visa requirements

The New Zealand Government requires some visitors and transit passengers to have a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).

USA visa requirements

Visit USA visa requirements page for information on requirements for travel to, from, within or over the USA including ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation), Advance Passenger Information and Secure Flight Information.

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Requirements for travel to/from South Africa

Passport requirements

All passengers travelling to South Africa, are required to have machine readable passports with two unused pages when applying for a visa, and one unused page when travelling for on arrival processing. Non-machine readable passports are no longer accepted.

Document requirements for travel to/from South Africa for children (under the age of 18 years)

Amendments to South Africa's Immigration Act 2002 (Act No 13 of 2002), regarding travel documentation requirements for children, came into effect on 1 June 2015. All travel documents must be available for presentation on arrival into and departure from South Africa.

The following applies to children (under 18 years of age) when travelling to or from South Africa:

Document requirements for travel to/from South Africa for children
Description Travel documents required
Child travelling with both parents
  1. Valid passport and valid visa (if required);
  2. Unabridged birth certificate of the child reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child. For countries that do not issue birth certificates, a letter from the competent authority of the country must be produced.
Child travelling with one parent
  1. Valid passport and valid visa (if required);
  2. Unabridged birth certificate of the child reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child. For countries that do not issue birth certificates, a letter from the competent authority of the country must be produced, and
  3. Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) (PDF), or
  • A court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship in respect of the child, if he/she is the parent or legal guardian of the child; or
  • Letter of Special Circumstances issued by the Director General of South African Department of Home Affairs.

Child travelling with one parent and other parent is deceased
  1. Valid passport and valid visa (if required);
  2. Unabridged birth certificate of the child reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child. For countries that do not issue birth certificates, a letter from the competent authority of the country must be produced.
  3. Death certificate of the deceased parent.
Child travelling with someone who is not their biological parent
  1. Valid passport and valid visa (if required).
  2. Unabridged birth certificate of the child reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child. For countries that do not issue birth certificates, a letter from the competent authority of the country must be produced.
  3. Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) (PDF), or Letter of Special Circumstances. NOTE: Where PCA is presented:
  • Copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian of the child; and
  • Contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child and contact details of the person in whose care the minor will be in South Africa.
Orphaned child where guardianship or adoption has yet to be granted
  1. Valid passport and valid visa (if required).
  2. Letter of Special Circumstances.
Child accompanied by adoptive parents(s)
  1. Valid passport and valid visa (if required)
  2. Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC) of the child reflecting particulars of adoptive parents, or
    Where the UBC is yet to be issued, a court order confirming the adoption of the child by the adoptive parent(s) accompanying the child.
NOTE: where the child is travelling with one adoptive parent, a Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) (PDF) is required.
Where one of the adoptive parents is deceased, a copy of the Death Certificate is required. Where one or both of the adoptive parents are unable to issue written consent due to recent death or incapacity, a Letter of Special Circumstances may replace the PCA.
Child in alternate care
  1. Valid passport and valid visa (if required).
  2. Letter from the Provincial Head of the Department of Social development where the child resides authorising the child’s departure from the Republic.
Child travelling with one parent who is legally separated and has been granted full parental responsibilities and rights or full legal guardianship
  1. Valid passport and valid visa (if required).
  2. Unabridged Birth Certificate of the child reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child. For countries that do not issue birth certificates, a letter from the competent authority of the country must be produced,
  3. Court Order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or full legal guardianship of the child.
Child travelling with one parent who is legally separated and who has specific parental responsibilities or legal guardianship
  1. Valid passport and valid visa (if required).
  2. Unabridged Birth Certificate of the child reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child. For countries that do not issue birth certificates, a letter from the competent authority of the country must be produced.
  3. Court order granting specific parental responsibilities and rights or joint legal guardianship; and
  4. Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) (PDF); or
  • A court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship in respect of the child, if he/she is the parent or legal guardian of the child; or
  • Letter of Special Circumstances issued by the Director General of South African Department of Home Affairs.

Additional information

  • All documents must be both English and an original or copy certified as true copy of the original.
  • The Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) (PDF) must be dated within four (4) months of the first arrival or departure travel date.
  • Supporting documents are not required where travel includes direct transit at an International Airport.

Non-compliance

We’re required to check that passengers travelling to and from South Africa with a child hold appropriate documentation as outlined above. Failure to ensure these new requirements will result in passengers departing from South Africa being denied travel; or passengers travelling to South Africa being denied entry and repatriated.

Refer to the Department of Home Affairs - Republic of South Africa for further information.

Transit visa requirements

There is a change in transit visa requirements for South Africa. A transit visa is now required for all non-exempt foreign nationals who wish to transit in South Africa on their way to:

  • Botswana
  • Lesotho
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Swaziland
  • Zimbabwe

The Transit Without Visa (TWOV) facility will still be available for those transiting to another country other than the above. To find out if you need a visa to transit South Africa, visit the IATA Travel Centre.

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Arrival documents

For international flights, when required, arrival documents will be handed to you at check-in or distributed by cabin crew during the flight. For arrival at an Australian international airport you will receive a Passenger Card that you need to complete for each passenger and present with your passport at passport control.

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Travel advice

Important information

Disclaimer:  * The Migration Regulations 1994 prescribe acceptable forms of identification for domestic passengers aged over 18, travelling on domestic sectors of International Flights. These forms of identification must be current, and must contain the full name and photograph of the presenting passenger.

Disclaimer: ^ VisaLink is a CIBT company. Qantas takes no responsibility for lost or misplaced documents that may occur during application. Qantas receives a commission from this provider for visa services made via Qantas.