People with special circumstances

Before you arrive at the airport

Medical evidence, such as a letter or medical ID card from your doctor, can help screening officers select the most appropriate screening method. Screening officers should not remove, attempt to remove, or interfere with any medical device.

If you are carrying items such as hypodermic needles or other medical supplies, you should carry medical evidence confirming they are necessary for you or someone in your care. This may include a doctor’s letter outlining:

• your medicines
• your medical devices
  
• any prescription and non-prescription powders, liquids, aerosols, or gels (such as ice or gel packs used to regulate temperature).

You should only bring what you need during the flight. For more information see what you can and can’t bring.

We recommend asking your doctor or checking the manufacturer instructions to see if your medical device or equipment is suitable for security screening by these devices:

• body scanner (used to screen people)
• walk through metal detector (used to screen people)
• X-ray technology (used to screen baggage and personal effects).

Body scanners in Australia use non-ionising millimetre wave technology. This is similar to a mobile phone, not X-ray technology. Body scanners in Australia do not pose any known health risks. For more information on body scanner safety, see how body scanners work.​​

If you are unable to be screened with a body scanner, you may need to undergo a full body frisk search. For more information on this process, see security screening at airports.

Understand what you can take in your carry-on baggage

Before you arrive at the airport, find out what you can and can’t bring.

Security screening officers will have the final say on the amount of medication permitted.

At the security screening point

Tell the security officer before screening if your medical device or equipment cannot go through a body scanner, walk-through metal detector or x-ray.

Have these things ready to show at the start of the security screening process:

• ​your medication
  
• your medical devices or equipment
  
• supporting evidence, such as a letter from your doctor.
  

If you are carrying hypodermic needles, show them to the security screening officer along with ​evidence, such as a letter from your doctor, at the security screening point, and to the cabin crew when you board.

If you have a mobility aid, such as a cane, crutches or wheelchair, and cannot hold the required poses for the body scanner, the screening officer will carry out security screening using other methods.

If you have other medical considerations or hidden disabilities, you should tell the screening officer before they screen you. This will ensure any alarms that may be triggered relating to your condition will be treated with privacy in mind.

If an alarm has triggered

You must explain if you have any items on your body and what the item is. You will be offered a private room for the following reasons:

• if you do not wish to discuss this at the security screening point
• if you want any extra screening to be done away from public view.

If you need to be frisk searched, you can ask for a screening officer of the same gender. This will be facilitated when a screening officer of the same gender is available.

You do not need to remove your hearing aid device before being screened by security.

Metal detectors or body scanners will not affect hearing aid devices. These include the following devices:

• cochlear implants
• external component of cochlear implants
• middle ear implants.

Security screening officers may use hand signals to gain your attention.

Security screening officers will communicate each step and guide you through the screening process.

You may be offered a different screening process.

Canes cannot be taken through a body scanner. If you cannot be separated from your cane, you should tell the screening officer who can arrange for alternative screening methods.

If security screening officers need to search your belongings they should return the items to their original place with you present.

You and your animal may be screened separately or together. You can remain with your animal for the whole security screening process.

For the security screening officer to screen you and your assistance animal together, they will use alternative screening methods. They will ask your permission before they screen your assistance animal.

Screening your assistance animal includes a check of the following items:

• collar
• harness
• leash.​
  

Any items that can easily be removed may be screened using X-ray equipment.

Where possible, security screening officers will allow people with hidden disabilities to keep their support items with them while going through the screening process. While you are unable to choose your method of screening, we suggest carrying evidence, such as a letter from your doctor, if there are screening methods that may not be suitable. This does not exempt you from security screening. It will help the screening officer to choose an appropriate method of screening for your circumstances.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple and discreet way for passengers to indicate they may have a disability or condition that is not immediately visible. Be aware that wearing a sunflower lanyard or other items does not exempt you from security screening. It signals to screening officers that the screening process may need more:

• time
• assistance
• understanding.

Visit your airport or airline’s website for information on how the sunflower lanyard is used at each location.

We understand some cultures include items of clothing in their religious observance, such as hats, caps, and other headwear.

• A security screening officer may ask you to remove clothing items to inspect them.
  
• A security screening officer cannot force you to remove the clothing item.
• A security screening officer may not clear you through security if you refuse to remove the clothing item.

You can ask to use a private room to remove the item.

Carrying religious items

Australian law may class some religious items as prohibited items or weapons. If you are not sure, pack these items in your checked baggage, or make other plans to transport these items to your destination.

The Australian Government recognises that passengers who identify as transgender or non-binary may have specific concerns and questions about the security screening processes used at Australian airports.

If you have any questions or feel uncomfortable during the screening process:

• You can ask for a different screening officer to conduct the screening
  
• You can ask to speak with the on-duty screening supervisor.
  

Some body scanners require the screening officer to choose the gender of the person being scanned to help the equipment to detect prohibited items or other anomalies. This is often based on the passenger's external appearance.

Secondary security screening

Secondary screening is needed if the body scanner alarms.

If you need to be frisk searched, the screening officer will do the following:

• find out how you define your gender
• offer for the frisk search to be carried out by a screening officer of the same identified gender as the person being searched, or preferred gender, as far as practicable
• offer the use of a private screening room.

Find out more about this process and the option of having a private room in s​ecurity screening at airports.