Melbourne Airport - Passenger Information

What are Australia’s new border control measures? Can I still fly into Australia?

From 9pm on Friday 20 March 2020, only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia.

All travellers arriving in Australia must undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities (for example, a hotel), in their port of arrival.

If you arrive in Australia as a non-exempt traveller, your visa may be cancelled and you will either be returned to your home country when flights are available or placed in an alternative place of detention for a quarantine period.

These arrangements are under constant review as the COVID-19 situation evolves, and will be revised based on updated health advice.
For more information visit, www.homeaffairs.gov.au or speak to your airline directly.

Restrictions on Australian citizens and permanent residents departing Australia

From 12:00pm 25 March 2020 all Australian citizens and permanent residents will be prohibited for travel out of Australia unless exempted until 17 December 2020.

The following travellers are exempt from the 'outbound' travel restrictions:

Persons ordinarily resident in a country other than Australia.
Persons whose travel is associated with essential work at offshore facilities.
Persons engaged in the day to day conduct of outbound and inbound freight.
Persons travelling on official Government business and members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF)
Airline and maritime crew and associated safety workers.

For more information on how to apply for an exemption, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Do security staff change gloves when they pat down people?

They do not change their gloves, however they sanitise their hands after they search every traveller.

Can I transit through Melbourne Airport to reach another destination with current travel restrictions?

If you are a New Zealander, citizen of a Pacific Island Forum country, Timor Leste citizen or resident of New Caledonia or French Polynesia transiting though Australia on your way to or from New Zealand or a Pacific Island Forum Country, you do not need a transit exemption if you have booked a connecting flight to depart Australia within 72 hours of your arriving flight.

There are however currently no international flights arriving in Melbourne which includes transit flights (with the exception of New Zealand), and we will provide further information when available from the government.

All other passengers will need to seek an exemption to be allowed to transit through Australia. You can apply online for an exemption.

The most up-to-date transit information can be found here.

Are the car parks still open?

Please note that we are experiencing an increase of enquires due to the border restrictions. The team will be in contact as soon as they can. Thank you for your patience.

Our car parks are now open. You can book your parking online here.

All bookings are now fully flexible, so you can cancel any time prior to arrival free of charge and a one hour exit grace period applies to all online bookings. For your safety and convenience we’ve also moved to a fully contactless payment system. No need to pull a ticket, simply tap your credit card or swipe your mobile at the gates and you’ll be quickly on your way.

We look forward to welcoming you back to Melbourne Airport for your next trip very soon.

What increased cleaning methods are in place to combat COVID-19?

We’ve changed the way we clean to increase how often our cleaners disinfect contact surfaces such as elevator buttons, escalator rails and counter tops. We’ve increased cleaning frequency, with more focus on making sure bathrooms are cleaned every two hours. We’ve also installed hand sanitiser inside all of our amenities, and throughout the precinct we’re promoting hygiene practices in line with government advice.

Can there be exceptions made for taking additional hand sanitiser through international security with the current situation?

No, there are restrictions around the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGS) that can be taken through security screening. LAGS may only be taken in your carry-on luggage if they are in containers no more than 100mL in size.

Are cafes and restaurants still open?

Most of our hospitality venues are open in our domestic terminals, however there are some closures inside International Departures.

Do I require a negative COVID test to fly?

Some international airlines require travellers to have a mandatory COVID test prior to their flight. If you are travelling overseas please check the latest requirements on your airline’s website.

Do I need a permit to enter Victoria?

To help stop the spread of COVID-19, all residents and travellers wishing to enter Victoria must apply for a permit. Areas are designated green, orange or red zones based on public health advice with restrictions applicable for different zones. For further information please visit http://coronavirus.vic.gov.au/travelpermits

You can apply for a permit online at http://service.vic.gov.au or by calling the Coronavirus hotline.

I am transiting through Melbourne before flying to another Australian city. Will I need to apply for a permit?

Yes. Anyone planning on entering Victoria will need a travel permit including for the purpose of short-term transit at the airport.

Can I enter the terminal to drop off or pick up family/friends?

Visitors can now enter the airport but still need to comply with the regulations - wear a mask within the terminal, socially distance 1.5 metres and use the QR code at any retailers/cafes. If you are dropping off or picking up family or friends, you can still use our public drop-off and pick-up areas in the forecourt.

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