• Visas – Unless you are from Australia or New Zealand, you will need a visa to visit Australia. You will need to obtain this before travelling.
• What you can bring into the country – Be sure to check what you can’t bring into the country when packing your bags. Live animals and plants, plant materials, animal products and certain foods are not permitted. More information.
• Accessibility – If you require a wheelchair within the terminals, most airlines can provide them upon request with prior notification. It’s best to contact your airline directly to organise a wheelchair for your time at the airport. More information.
• Airport terminals – While all terminals are in one building at the airport, keep in mind that it is a long walk from T1 to T4.
• Wi-Fi – complimentary Wi-Fi is available at the airport in the terminals and the car parks.
• Amenities – Plenty of toilets and drinking water are located when you arrive at the airport. See maps.
• Shopping – Indulge in some duty free shopping before exiting the airport. Explore the options.
• Shop and collect – You can do your Duty Free shopping before you get to the airport. Simply shop online and collect your items when you arrive.
• If you have another flight – If you’re stopping over in Melbourne, you might need to change terminals depending on whether your next flight is international or domestic. You will need to confirm with your airline as to whether you need to collect your luggage before your next flight. For any questions about transiting, ask any of the friendly staff around the airport.
• Airport terminals – While all terminals are in one building at the airport, keep in mind that it can be a long walk between terminals.
• Lost property –  All lost property enquiries must be made online using the form found here, in the first instance. If you've lost something on a flight or on a carousel, contact your airline directly.

Passport control can get busy, so it’s best to make sure you’re paying attention as you move through.

• Incoming passenger card – On your flight, you’ll receive an incoming passenger card to fill out with your personal details and flight information. You’ll need this for your arrival into Australia. Note that you must use either black or blue pen.
• SmartGate – Certain travellers can use the arrivals SmartGate. Simply place your passport into the scanning device for your information to be processed. You can then step into the SmartGate and look into the camera so that your face can be matched with your passport. When successfully processed, the gate will open. If you are unsuccessful or require special assistance, there will be officers to help manually process your passport. More information.

Once you’ve landed, you can collect your bags and get yourself ready for Melbourne.

• Check the screens – Find out where you can collect your bags from by looking at the screens situated around the terminal.
• Oversized baggage – Oversized baggage can be collected behind carousels 1 and 2 in T2.
• Throw away any food – Certain foods cannot be taken through customs so this is your chance to get rid of any food from the plane.
• Australian money – You can exchange foreign currency for Australian money at the Prosegur kiosk located in the Arrivals Hall in Terminal 2. 
• Trolley – You can borrow a trolley from inside the terminal to help you with your luggage.

Once you have your bags, the last step before you can exit the airport is passing through customs and biosecurity. Note that you do not need your passport at this point.

• SmartGate and incoming passenger card – Present your SmartGate ticket and incoming passenger card to one of the officers so you can pass through Customs and Border Protection and the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service.
• Declaring goods – Remember to declare any necessary items at this point. This includes things like animal or plant goods. More information here.

If you need more information about what to do in Melbourne or require certain services, many of these are available before you even leave the terminal.

• Baggage services – SmartCarte is located on the ground floor of T2 and can store your bags for a small cost.
• Chinese travellers – A specific kiosk is located in the T2 arrivals area for any Chinese travellers seeking assistance.
• If you require help – In case of an emergency, you can speak to your closest airline staff or a volunteer and they will be able to assist you.

Consider how you’re going to leave the airport. There are transportation options to suit all budgets.

• Taxi – A taxi to Melbourne City takes approximately 35 minutes and costs around $55–65, though times and fares can vary. Taxis can be caught on the ground floor outside T1, and between T2 and T3.
• SkyBus – The SkyBus operates three services 24/7 to Melbourne City, St Kilda or Frankston. To the city, this journey takes 30–45 minutes. There is a SkyBus booth to assist with tickets and related services on the ground level of T2.
• Public transport – Public buses arrive and depart from Melbourne Airport near the At Terminal T4 Car Park. To travel, you’ll need a myki card. This journey is around 70 minutes.
• Pick up – If someone is picking you up from the airport and would like to meet you in the terminal, they can park at the At Terminal T1 T2 T3 Car Park. Alternatively, they can park in the wait zone on the corner of Mercer Drive and Melrose Drive for 20 minutes for free and drive up to the pick up point outside T2 once ready to meet you.
• Car hire – There’s a great selection of rental car companies available at Melbourne Airport. You'll find them located across the forecourt from T2.

Before you head to the airport for your flight, there are a number of things you should know to ensure your airport journey goes smoothly from start to finish. Please be sure to check with your airline for baggage limits and the best time to arrive at the airport.

• Airport updates – Keep up-to-date with any relevant updates by checking our Twitter page.
• Airport terminals – While all terminals are in one building at the airport, keep in mind that it can be a long walk between terminals.
• Accessibility – If you require a wheelchair within the terminals, most airlines can provide them upon request with prior notification. It’s best to contact your airline directly to organise a wheelchair for your time at the airport. More information.
• Prams – Prams will need to be checked in with the rest of your luggage. We don't currently have a pram rental service available at the airport. 
• Where to go – International flights depart from T2 on the first floor. It might be useful to check the distance to gates before arriving at the airport.
• Carry on luggage – Some items cannot be taken in your carry on luggage, such as liquids over 100mL, aerosols and gels. See here for a full list.
• Lost property –  All lost property enquiries must be made online using the form found here, in the first instance. If you've lost something on a flight or on a carousel, contact your airline directly.
• Wi-Fi – Complimentary Wi-Fi is available at the airport in the terminals and the car parks.
• Trolley – You can borrow a SmartCarte trolley for a small fee from outside the terminal to help you with your luggage when you arrive.
• Smoking – Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the terminals, so keep in mind that your last opportunity to do so is before arriving.

Consider how you’re going to get to the airport. There are plenty of options to suit all budgets.

• Airport parking – We have parking to suit different budgets and trip lengths, including Long Term and At Terminal parking. Find out more about parking.
• Drop off – Drop off zones are located out the front of T1, T2 and T3 where cars can park for 5 minutes. Those with a disability sticker can remain parked for 15 minutes.
• Taxi – A taxi from Melbourne City takes approximately 35 minutes and costs around $55–65, though times and fares can vary. This option allows you to be dropped right outside the terminal.
• SkyBus – The SkyBus operates three services 24/7 from Melbourne City, St Kilda or Frankston and will transfer you express to the airport. From the city, this journey takes 30–45 minutes. Once you arrive at the airport, you can get off at the T2 stop.
• Public transport – Public buses arrive and depart from Melbourne Airport on the ground floor of the Transport Hub near T4. To travel, you’ll need a myki card. This journey is around 70 minutes.

Have all of your things ready for check in so dropping off your bags and collecting your boarding pass is a simple process.

• Where to check in – Those flying internationally can check in on the first floor of T2, located roughly in the middle of the airport. If you’re entering from the ground floor, you’ll need to go up one level using the escalators or lift.
• Bag wrapping – Secure Travel is located on the first floor of T2 and can help wrap your bags for protection at a small cost.
• Storage services – SmartCarte is located on the ground floor of T2 and can store your bags for a small cost.
• Large items and liquids – Bulky or oversized items and liquids, aerosols or gels that exceed carry on limits need to be checked in at the TRS office on the ground floor of T2.
• If you miss your check in – Sometimes these things happen. If you miss your check in time, you can speak to your airline about possible options or someone at the service desk. Otherwise, you can head to the airline offices on level 2 of T2 or book another flight with Flight Centre on the first floor of T2.

At this point, you’ll have to say goodbye to those not travelling with you, as you cannot pass beyond security without a boarding pass.

• Speed up the process – As this area can get quite busy, it will make things easier for everyone involved if you move through security as quickly as possible. It’s a good idea to put your phone away so as not to be distracted and to make sure any electronic devices or liquids are at the top of your bag so they are ready to be placed in the trays. Collect your items promptly once they’ve been scanned and continue on your way.
• Clothing and accessories – You might be asked to remove certain items like your shoes, belt or watch. This is simply because the security gates are often sensitive to these kinds of items. More information.
• Random explosives tests – Be aware that you might be asked to do a random explosives test as you pass through security.

Passport control can get busy, so it’s best to make sure you’re paying attention as you move through.

• Put your phone away – No phones are allowed when passing through immigration.
• SmartGate – To pass through passport control, you can use the departures SmartGate by placing your passport into the scanning device. Once your information is processed, you can step into the SmartGate and look into the camera so that your face can be matched with your passport. When successfully processed, the gate will open. If you are unsuccessful or require special assistance, there will be officers to help manually process your passport.
• Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) – The Tourist Refund Scheme is located just after passport control. It allows you to claim a refund of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) that you pay on certain goods purchased in Australia. To speed up the process, you can use the TRS web or mobile app to lodge your claim. Your information will be stored in a QR code that can be presented with your purchased goods and original tax invoices on your departure from Australia. Remember, this is where you'll have to check in bulky items and liquids, aerosols or gels that exceed carry on limits.

This is your opportunity to relax before taking off.

• Check your flight status – After you’ve cleared passport control, check the status of your flight on the screens located around the terminal. Here you’ll find your gate number and departure time.
• Foreign currency – This is your last chance to get any foreign currency before flying.
• Shopping – Indulge in some duty free shopping before take off. Explore the options.
• Shop and collect – You can do your Duty Free shopping before you get to the airport. Simply shop online and collect your items when you arrive.
• Lounges – If you’d rather sit back before your flight, head to one of the airline lounges. See map.
• Amenities – Plenty of toilets and drinking water are located in this part of the airport. See map.
• Prepare for the plane – Certain items that can be bought after security cannot be taken on the plane, such as hot drinks. If you purchase any alcohol before your flight, this must remain unopened in a sealed bag.
• If you require help – In case of an emergency, you can speak to your closest airline staff or a volunteer and they will be able to assist you.
• Head to the gate – Make sure you leave plenty of time to get to your gate before boarding. Happy flying!