Airports and their service providers are directly responsible for delivering aviation security services, including passenger screening. The Department of Home Affairs sets the broad requirements and outcomes for aviation security.
Australian airports have different security screening practices depending on their equipment. Each airport has its own screening procedures that meet the government’s requirements to achieve the required level of security.
Selection for security screening is not based on gender, ethnicity, religion or employment.
Under Australia’s aviation security legislation, you are unable to choose how you are screened at Australian airports.
Security screening is compulsory
Security screening is compulsory for anyone entering the secure area of an Australian airport terminal. This means:
- all passengers including children and infants
- all people going with passengers to the boarding gate
- all assistance animals and pets
- all aircrew
- all airport workers.
Security screening officers must be satisfied an individual is not carrying any weapons or prohibited items before allowing them to proceed beyond the security screening point.
Your rights at the security screening point
You have the right to refuse any screening process. If you refuse you will not be allowed to go to the gate or board your flight.
When you enter a screening area, you are consenting to all screening procedures, excluding a frisk search.
If you feel you have experienced an inappropriate screening process, ask to speak with a supervisor at the screening point. You can also lodge a complaint with the airport, ask a supervisor or check the airport’s website.
Before you arrive at the airport
Prepare for screening by:
At the security screening point
- Place all personal items in your carry-on baggage, including wallets or purses.
- Remove any outerwear including jackets, coats or bulky jumpers.
- Remove all items from your pockets, such as keys, coins, tissues, pens and mobile phones. If you don’t, it may trigger alarms, and you will need further screening.
- Place your carry-on baggage and all loose items in the tray provided on the X-ray conveyor belt for screening.
You may need to remove items from your carry-on baggage such as laptops, iPads, aerosols or liquids. If so, place them in the tray for separate screening through the X-ray. The requirements will differ at each airport depending on the type of equipment used. If you are travelling with camera film that is not suitable for X-ray screening, please advise the screening officer.
Screening officers will screen you using either a body scanner or walk-through metal detector. Body scanners are the Government’s preferred method of security screening. Airports in regional locations currently use a mix of body scanners and walk through metal detectors for initial security screening. If a screening officer selects you for security screening via body scanner, you cannot opt out. Under Australia’s transport security regulations, if you refuse body scanner screening, you will not be allowed to pass through the screening point within 24 hours, unless you are security screened via body scanner.
Before screening
- Tell screening officers if you have any medical devices, aids, implants or if you have other special circumstances.
- Show the screening officers any supporting letter or documents from your doctor and device manufacturer, if you have them. This helps screening officers to select the most appropriate screening method.
During screening
If an issue is identified or an alarm is triggered, you may be asked to go through the security screening process again until you are cleared. This may include other screening methods, such as:
- a hand-held metal detector
- a frisk search
- explosive trace detection.
A screening officer may ask you to remove an item of clothing if they consider it necessary to screen you.
The screening officer must not remove, try to remove, interfere with, or ask you to remove any medical device or equipment you are wearing.
Frisk search
If you need a frisk search:
- you will be asked to consent to this process
- you can request a screening officer of the same gender conduct the frisk search
- you can request a private room.
If an issue is identified, or an alarm is triggered in a sensitive or a private area of your body:
- you will be offered to have the search completed by an officer of the same gender
- you will be offered the use of a private room
- you will be required to give your written consent
- you may ask to have a support person accompany you.
Explosive trace detection
Explosive trace detection may be required if an alarm is triggered, or you may be randomly selected for explosive trace detection screening after being screened via walk-through metal detector. The screening officer must explain this screening process to you. Explosive trace detection can involve the screening officer placing this equipment directly on the areas of your body they have identified for further screening, or by asking you to run your hands over the required areas and carrying out the test on your hands. You may also be randomly selected for explosive trace detection screening after going through the first screening process.
Body scanners are used at many Australian domestic and international airports.- Body scanners are designed to detect all items worn or carried on a person, not just metallic items. This includes prostheses and medical devices or equipment such as an insulin pump or ostomy bag
- Body scanners are the most advanced means of detecting items worn or carried by people including:
- explosives
- weapons
- other prohibited items.
Imagery in body scanners
Body scanners create a three-dimensional image by collecting radio waves emitted by or reflected from the body.
- Body scanner images are in a simple format
- Body scanner images protect people’s privacy
- Body scanner images show no human anatomy
- Body scanners do not collect or store any personal information.
Safety factors
Body scanners used for aviation security screening in Australia:
- do not emit ionising radiation like that of X-rays
- do not pose any known health risks to passengers or operators.
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) regulate the use of body scanners in Australia. ARPANSA have deemed body scanners to be safe and advise there are no known safety concerns. For more information see ARPANSA’s
Airport passenger screening and health.
Children and infants must undergo security screening. The screening method used will depend on the height of the child and whether the child can walk through the security screening point without help.
If a child is eligible for security screening via body scanner, another method may not be requested.
Infants carried in a child carrier must be taken out of the carrier before undergoing security screening.
Child carriers, including strollers and prams, must be screened along with other carry-on baggage. Many airlines limit what items can be brought on board an aircraft due to space and stowage constraints. If you are unsure, check with your airline before you travel.
When travelling with your pet, you can have your animal remain with you throughout the screening process or have them screened separately. Both your pet and its carrier or container need to be security screened.
For more information see your airline’s website.
Other security screening processes are available for people with special circumstances. All passengers are required to be screened to a high standard to prevent a security incident from occurring, however airports can use other screening methods where appropriate. This is to ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
