Any person entering a secure zone of the Domestic and International terminal or boarding a flight will be subject to passenger screening. This includes passengerspeople accompanying passengers to the boarding gateaircrew and airport workers.

Passenger screening process

1. Place all personal itemswallets or purses in your carry-on baggage.
2. You do not need to remove liquidsaerosols and/or gel items from your bag when departing. They may stay in your carry-on luggage. Please note that there are restrictions on the quantity of powdersliquidsaerosols and gels you can carry onboard international flights. Check the TravelSECURE website for more information. Please noteif you are transiting to another flight at the T1 International terminalyou may still be required to remove liquidaerosol and gel items and place them in the tray at the transit screening point.
3. As we work to upgrade security screening infrastructure across our terminalssome screening points may still require you to place metallic (keyscoins) and electronic (laptopsmobile phones) items in the tray. By 1 January2026 you will no longer need to remove electronic devices at any of the security screening points.
4. Remove bulky outer wear clothing (e.g. coatsjacket)hats and jewelleryand place them in the tray.
5. Place your carry-on baggage onto the conveyor belt.
6. Inform screening officers if you have any medical devicesaids or implants before being screened.
7. Go through the walkthrough metal detector. If travelling internationallyyou may be randomly selected for a body scanner. By 1 January2026 body scanner security screening will be mandatory for all travellers entering sterile areas of our terminals (international and domestic).
8. You may be asked to go through the security screening process again until you are clearedif an issue is identified. This may include other screening methods (hand-held metal detectorfrisk search).
9. You may also be randomly selected for explosive trace detection testing after proceeding through the initial screening process.

More information on the passenger screening process can be found on the TravelSECURE website.

Declining security screening

Passengers have the right to decline any screening processhowever without undergoing screeningyou will not be permitted to proceed to the boarding gate or board your flight.

Passengers that refuse body scanning screening for medical reasons or another specific circumstanceyou must provide a letter from a medical practitioner. This letter should clearly state why you cannot undertake the screening process with the specific screening technology. Our security team is committed to accommodating your needs once we receive the appropriate documentation.

If the provided documentation does not specifically address the inability to use the screening technology at Sydney Airportyou will need to complete body scanner screening to advance to your gate and board your flight.

Body scanners are the primary method of security screening in Australia. By 1 January2026 body scanner security screening will be mandatory for all travellers entering sterile areas of our terminals (international and domestic).

As we work to upgrade remaining security screening infrastructure across our terminalssome screening points may not be equipped with a body scanner. In this instancethe screening officer will determine the required screening process for you on the day.

Security screening guidelines are set by the Department of Home Affairs to ensure the safety and security of all passengers and are strictly adhered to at Sydney Airport.

Visit the TravelSECURE website for information about body scanners.

Aviation Security Officers may test you and your baggage for traces of explosives. Officers must carry out ETD tests on a random and continuous basis to meet regulatory requirements. If you're selected for a random ETD testand you decline to undergo testingyou will not be permitted past the security screening point to board your aircraft.

Visit the TravelSECURE website for further information about ETD screening.

International travel

If you're travelling overseasthere are restrictions on the quantity of liquidsaerosols and gels and some powders you may carry onboardincluding those purchased from duty free. These restrictions apply to all passengers leaving on international flightsas well as those transiting and/or travelling on the domestic leg of an international flight within Australia. Exemptions apply for medicinesmedical productsmedical devices and baby products that you may need during your journey.

Visit the TravelSECURE website.

Domestic travel

Flights within Australia are not subject to PLAGs restrictions for onboard baggage. However if you are travelling domesticallybut departing from T1 Internationalyou are subject to powderliquidaerosol and gel restrictions. Visit the TravelSECURE website.

Baggage screening is an important measure to improve your security when flying to and from Australia. If you refuse to allow the security screening officer to screen your carry-on bagsyou will not be permitted to pass through the security point to board your aircraft.

Some items cannot be taken onboard an aircraft as they have the potential to be used to harm other passengers and crew. A full list of these items can be found on the TravelSECURE website.

If you are unsure if an item is allowed onboardcheck with your airline or leave it at home.

If you require special assistance when travelling through the airportlook out for our dedicated special assistance lanes at the security screening point. These lanes are staffed by security officers specifically trained to assist you and help make the security screening process smoother.

Additional information for travellers requiring special assistance can be found on the Assistance section of our website.

Security screening for children and infants

All travellersincluding childrenmust pass through the security screening point. Children can be carried by an adult if they cannot walk on their own. Strollers and prams must be screened along with other carry-on baggage. Many airlines do not allow these items in the cabin due to space and stowage constraints.

If you're unsurecheck with your airline before you travel.

Carry-on baby products

There are no restrictions on the amount of powdersliquidsaerosols and gels you can take onboard a domestic flight for a baby or infant. However if you are connecting to an international flight or if your domestic flight is departing from an international terminallimits will apply.

You are allowed to carry onboard a reasonable quantity of inorganic powderliquidaerosol or gel items for a baby or infant for international flights. Pack only what you need for the duration of a flight and any delays that may occur. There are no quantity restrictions for organic powders such as powdered baby formula.

For more information about travelling with children visit the Exemptions to the limits section of the Home Affairs website.

We recognise there may be occasions when you need to travel with medicines or medical equipment. Exemptions can be made in these cases to ensure you have a safe and comfortable journey.

For information about travelling with medicines visit the Exemptions to the limits section of the Home Affairs website.

Laptops and tablets must be taken out of their bag and placed in the tray provided when going through the security screening point. This will ensure screening officers have an unobstructed view as they move through the screening equipment.

For more information visit the security screening section of the TravelSECURE website.

If you're travelling overseasthere are restrictions on the quantity of liquidsaerosols and gels and some powders (PLAGs) you may carry onboardincluding those purchased from duty free. These restrictions apply to all passengers leaving on international flightsas well as those transiting and/or travelling on the domestic leg of an international flight within Australia. Exemptions apply for medicinesmedical productsmedical devices and baby products that you may need during your journey.

Flights within Australia are not subject to PLAGs restrictions for onboard baggage. Howeverif you are travelling domesticallybut departing from T1 Internationalyou are subject to powderliquidaerosol and gel restrictions. Visit the TravelSECURE website for more information.

Items classified as prohibited itemsincluding weapons and dangerous goodscannot be carried onboard an aircraft. If you have any of these items in your carry on baggageyou will need to surrender these at the screening point.

If in doubt about whether an item can be carried onboardcheck with your airline prior to arriving at the airport. In some casesyou may be able to pack the item in your checked baggage. Please refer to the Australian Border Force websiteHome Affairs website for further information.

You are allowed to carry onboard a reasonable quantity of powderliquidaerosol or gel items for a baby or infant for international flights. Pack only what you need for the duration of a flight and any delays that may occur. There are no quantity restrictions for organic powders such as powdered baby formula.

Baby products may include milkincluding expressed breast milk and powdered formulasterilised waterjuiceand baby food in liquidgelpowder or paste form.

For more information and to view the full list of baby and infants productsplease visit the Home Affairs website.

The Australian Government has strict security measures and procedures restricting or prohibiting certain items you can bring into Australia. For more information on what you must declare and what you cannot bring into Australiaplease visit the Home Affairs website.

All body scanners in Australia use non-ionising millimetre-wave technology. This means they do not emit ionising radiation like that of x-rays.

The low intensity waves and short duration of the scan means you are exposed to less energy than other common everyday devices such as mobile phones. The millimetre-waves are reflected off the surface of the skin and do not penetrate the body.

There are no known health risks from undergoing a scan so travellers who have a medical condition or are pregnant should not be concerned.