International airports are airports designated by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport as international airports in accordance with section 9 of the Air Navigation Act 1920. View the list of current designated international airports in Australia.
International Airport Categories
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts in consultation with the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and Airservices Australia, categorises each designated international airport according to the border services and facilities available.
The categories of airports are:
- Major International
airports of entry and departure where all formalities incident to Customs, Immigration, Biosecurity and similar services are made available, and which are open to scheduled and non-scheduled flights; - Restricted Use International
airports of entry and departure at which the formalities incident to Customs, Immigration, Biosecurity and similar services are made available on a restricted basis, to flights with prior approval only; - Alternate International
airports specified in the flight plan to which a flight may proceed when it becomes inadvisable to land at the airport of intended landing; - International Non-Scheduled Flight
airports at which approval may be granted, provided the prescribed prior notice is given, for international non-scheduled flights only; no other form of international operation is permitted; - External Territory International
airports of entry and departure for international air traffic located upon an Australian External Territory, where all formalities incident to Customs, Immigration, Biosecurity and similar services are made available.
Full details, including any special conditions that may apply to individual airports, are published in the Australian Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP).
Guidance for new and redeveloping international airport operators
International transport is vital to Australia's trade and tourism, along with the need to balance the efficient movement of people and goods across Australia's border.
The Australian Government has established a clear, transparent and consistent process to help ensure that border services (biosecurity, immigration and customs control) are available at ports when they are required.
Port operators seeking to introduce international services at any port where no border services are provided, or where there is a change to an existing business model that impacts on border services capabilities, need to apply to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (Department of Infrastructure).
Port operators are advised they are responsible for costs associated with relevant infrastructure and facilities required to support international services. This includes any costs associated with establishing a border services capability at the port incurred by the Australian Government.
Proposals will be assessed to determine whether they are in the national interest. The Department of Infrastructure coordinates advice to the Australian Government on proposals in consultation with the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and other relevant agencies.
Port operators are encouraged to contact the Department of Infrastructure early in the development of a proposal.
Aviation: internationalaviation@infrastructure.gov.au
Maritime: Ports@infrastructure.gov.au.
Further detail on applying for the provision of border services is available in the document: Applying for the provision of border services at new and redeveloping international ports PDF: 196 KB.
Review of the new and redeveloping international ports framework
The Aviation White Paper committed to a review of the new and redeveloping international ports framework in the first half of 2025. The Department of Infrastructure, in consultation with relevant Commonwealth agencies, is leading the review and seeking stakeholder feedback until 9 February 2025. If you would like to contribute to the review please contact internationalaviation@infrastructure.gov.au.