International Arrivals

Passengers will proceed to immigration and passport control for SmartGate or manual processing.

You can use a SmartGate, if you:

• Hold an e-passport issued from an eligible country; and
• Are 16 years or over; and
• Have completed an Incoming Passenger Card. (this will be handed out onboard the aircraft shortly before your arrival).

The Arrivals SmartGate uses facial recognition technology to provide travellers with a more efficient way of passing through Passport Control.  If you’re not eligible to use SmartGate, an Australian Border Force Officer at Passport Control will manually process your entry into Australia.

All passengers will be issued with a Passport Control ticket. You will be required to present your ticket to officers at Biosecurity and Customs before exiting the Terminal.

Proceed to the arrivals hall to collect your baggage.  Check the flight arrivals screens for your flight number and allocated baggage carousel.

Complimentary luggage trolleys are available for your use at the International Terminal.  

To help protect Australia’s pristine environment, Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and Australian Border Force Officers screen all incoming international passengers and their belongings.  

Your bags may be checked by Australian Border Force and/or Department of Agriculture Biosecurity Officers, who work with Brisbane Airport to detect prohibited, restricted or dutiable goods, and biosecurity risk items such as animal and plant material.

It is mandatory to declare certain items on your Incoming Passenger Card, and penalties may apply for failing to do so.

Australian Border Force and/or Department of Agriculture Biosecurity Officers’ checks may take the form of:

• X-ray
• Detector Dogs
• Physical inspection

For more information on the border processes, what you need to declare and what can and can’t be brought into Australia, please consult:

• Department of Home Affairs
• Department of Agriculture and Water Resources

Passengers may use their cameras or mobile phones unless:

• they are undergoing a clearance process
• they are asked not to by a Border Force officer.​

If you are transiting through Australia to another overseas location for less than 72 hours you are exempt from Australia’s travel restrictions. 

Visit the the Department of Home Affairs Coming to Australia website for the latest information on transiting Australia, including visas, vaccinations and COVID testing requirements.

To transit Australia, you must hold a valid visa or be from an eligible country to transit without a visa.

• Check if you require a visa
• Eligibility to transit without a visa
• Apply for a visa

• Where the time between your arrival and departure flights is less than eight (8) hours, you may be eligible to remain in the secure transit area of the Terminal. 
• Where the time between your international flights is more than eight (8) hours, passengers may be required to enter Australia, and will be quarantined in an appropriate facility (for example, a hotel) until it is time to return to the airport for your onward flight. 

We have everything you need to know about transferring between international and domestic flights and terminals at Brisbane Airport covered. Read our transfer guide here.

If you've got friends or family collecting you in their vehicle - make your way downstairs (via travelator or lift) to Level 1 and follow the signs to Passenger Pick-up.

There are accessible passenger pick-up and drop off bays on the level 4 departures road.  For accessible passenger pick-up, take the lift to level 4.

Simply order your rideshare using your preferred app and follow the signs to the designated Rideshare Booking areas to meet with your driver.

Ride-shares are collecting passengers from the ground transport area. Head LEFT as you come out of customs into the arrivals area and follow the signs to ride-booking, buses and coaches through the door at the end of the building and down the ramp.

Taxis are available 24/7 and operate from the taxi rank on Level 2 Arrivals Road, through the doors and out to the left.

To access the Airtrain station, take the lift to level 3, exit the terminal and cross the bridge to the station. Train services run every 15 minutes during peak times and every 30 minutes off-peak periods. Airtrain also connects into the Queensland Rail suburban network.

The transfer buses operates from the bus stop on Level 2, next to the domestic transfers desk. 

Travelling to Skygate? A complimentary transfer bus operates 7 days between Skygate and the International Terminal, departing every 15 minutes. Take the lift to Level 4 and head out to the bus stop on the departures road.

If you are collecting your hire car from the International Terminal, please follow the instructions from your hire car company. Collection desks are located on level 2. 

Whilst some car hire providers don’t operate directly from Brisbane Airport, they will often provide convenient transfer options to and from the airport. Check your car rental booking confirmation for more information on pick up arrangements and collecting your hire vehicle. Offsite rental car companies pick up from Level 2 at the northern end of the International Terminal, follow the signs down the ramp to the pick-up area.