International Departures

Safe Travels,  from the team at Brisbane Airport. ✈️

We're excited to welcome you back to Brisbane Airport's International Terminal.  How we travel has changed. We've put a few things in place to ensure the airport is a safe place for everyone to be.

•  For COVID-19 FAQs and the latest travel updates in one spot, check out our Travel Alerts.
• From 11:59pm, Friday 17 June 2022, wearing a mask throughout Brisbane Airport terminals is no longer a requirement. However, masks must still be worn onboard aircraft, at taxi ranks and ride sharing areas as well as on Airtrain platforms.  .
• It's been a while between flights - remember volume limits apply on powders, liquids, aerosols and gels when travelling on international flights.
• Need a PCR test or other COVID-19 test before you travel? Histopath offer express pre-departure COVID testing at the International Terminal, with results returned within 90 minutes. 
• Unsure about requirements for your destination? The Australian Government's Smartraveller website has a page for each country and links to their requirements. 

Now, all that stands between you and your international flight are two simple steps - and we promise you’ll be on the plane and making plans for your in-flight entertainment in no time. 

Step 1: Security Screening (compulsory for all passengers)

It’s compulsory for all departing passengers to undertake a security screening of their body and belongings before travel.

The process involves either passenger screening (x-ray of belongings and walk-through metal detector) or randomised body scanning.

Body Scanners

You may be asked to step through a body scanner instead of the metal detector at the screening point. Body scanners are used at Brisbane Airport to detect prohibited items carried on passengers. They use non-ionising millimetre-wave technology to detect items worn or carried on the body, and pose no harm to pregnant passengers or those with medical conditions. Refusal to comply with the body scanning process will mean you are not allowed to board your flight.

Key facts about body scanners:

• Passengers will be selected at random to participate in a body scan.

• Body scanners used in Australia are equipped with special enhancements to protect your privacy.

• They do not show identifying features, rather highlight areas that need further investigation.

For more information about this body scanning process, visit TravelSECURE.

Things to know about belongings screening:

As an international passenger, you need to present any powders, liquids, aerosols and gels in your carry-on baggage for screening.  Liquids, aerosols and gels must be placed  in resealable plastic bags for this process.

Key facts about powders, liquids, aerosols and gels:

• Passengers are only able to take liquids, aerosols and gels in containers up to 100ml in size in carry-on baggage.
• Liquid, aerosol and gel items must be stored in a resealable transparent plastic bag that measures approximately 20cm x 20cm.
• For inorganic powders such as salt, talcum powder and sand a limit of 350ml or 350g per passenger applies.
• More travel tips for where to pack powders, liquids, aerosols and gels.

Visit the TravelSECURE website for full details on the restrictions on powders,liquids, aerosols and gels and how these rules apply to Duty Free goods.

Step 2: Passport Control (compulsory for all outgoing passengers)

The last step before you fly is Passport Control which can be conducted:

• Electronically via SmartGate; or

• Manually with an Australian Border Force Officer.

When can I use SmartGate?

Brisbane Airport’s Departure SmartGates are a simple, one-step process that offer travellers a more efficient way to clear Passport Control. They uses face recognition and matching technology to process travellers.

If you have a scannable ePassport, you may be able to self-process through Passport Control using SmartGate. SmartGate technology can process all travellers, regardless of age or nationality - so long as travellers are able to understand and follow the process without assistance. For more information, visit SmartGate.

When will I be directed to an Australian Border Force Officer?

Families travelling with young children, passengers who are unable to use Smartgate without assistance and those with non-scannable passports will be directed to an Australian Border Force Officer for manual processing.

Step 3: Waiting to board your flight

Boarding Gates

Boarding gate numbers will be made available 1 hour prior to departure. 

What's open at the International Terminal?

With the reduction of passengers through the International Terminal, some food outlets and retail stores remain closed. Please check what's open at the International Terminal here and make other arrangements if necessary.