Australia's limits apply only to international flights, and domestic flights have no liquid quantity limit. It adds a 350ml/350g cap on inorganic powders, which the US does not have. Australia's biosecurity rules are among the strictest anywhere: you must declare all food, plant and animal products on arrival or face fines and possible visa cancellation.
Checked against official pages on . Authority: Department of Home Affairs (TravelSECURE) for screening; Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for dangerous goods; Department of Agriculture (DAFF) for biosecurity.
Liquids
On international flights, liquids, aerosols and gels must be in containers of 100ml or 100g or less, packed in a resealable transparent bag of about 20cm x 20cm. Domestic flights have no quantity limit on liquids.
- Inorganic powders, such as salt, talc or sand, are limited to 350ml or 350g per passenger on international flights. Organic powders such as food, coffee and baby formula have no limit but must be shown at screening.
- Exempt: baby products, prescription and non-prescription medical items, and dietary items. They do not go in the bag but are still screened.
- Duty free is not automatically exempt. Items may be rescreened and possibly confiscated at transit points.
- On domestic flights, aerosols still need a cap or locking device and must be shown at screening.
- Heathrow warns that liquids over 100ml cannot be carried on flights to Australia, even from an airport that otherwise allows 2 litres.
Lighters and matches
One cigarette lighter per passenger, carried on your person only. Lighters cannot be checked in.
- CASA lists safety matches as allowed only when intended for personal use and carried on the person. It notes that most airlines do not permit books of matches.
Knives, scissors and sharp items
Items with sharp edges or points that could injure someone, including kitchen utensils, tools and sporting goods, are not allowed in carry-on baggage. Pack them in checked baggage.
- Brisbane Airport lists axes, metal cutlery, razors and scalpels among items you cannot carry on board.
- No official Australian page that we could access gave a specific permitted blade length.
Batteries and power banks
Power banks must be carried on board and cannot be checked in. Each person may carry no more than two power banks in total. Power banks from 100Wh to 160Wh need airline approval.
- Protect spare batteries individually against short circuits, for example by keeping them in original packaging, taping the terminals or using a separate pouch.
- Airlines may set lower limits. You must declare dangerous goods at check-in.
Source: CASA Pack Right: Power bank not exceeding 100Wh; Power bank above 100Wh but not exceeding 160Wh
Food
At security, liquid or gel foods count as liquids on international flights. When arriving in Australia, you must declare all food, animal products and plant material, including wooden items, on your Incoming Passenger Card, or dispose of them in the bins at the airport.
- Biosecurity officers inspect declared goods. Goods may be returned, treated, exported or destroyed.
- False or misleading declarations can lead to an infringement notice of up to $6,260, civil or criminal proceedings, and visa cancellation, with entry possibly barred for up to 3 years.
Source: Australian Department of Agriculture: Travelling or arriving in Australia (biosecurity)
Medication
Prescription and non-prescription medicines are exempt from the liquid and powder limits but are still screened. Carry evidence, such as a doctor's letter, for medical and therapeutic products.
- Exempt medicines do not need to go in the clear bag.
Source: Brisbane Airport: Powders, liquids, aerosols and gels; Melbourne Airport: Powder restrictions