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A guide for aircraft passengers
What are dangerous goods
Dangerous Goods are articles or substances which are capable of posing a significant risk to health, safety or to property when transported by air. A glance in the garden shed or under the kitchen sink will reveal a wide array of things which are potentially Dangerous Goods. A few examples of the more common types of items would include pesticides, petrol, acids, aerosols and bleaches etc. You may feel comfortable storing these items in your home or transporting them in your car on the way home from the shop because you know where they are and the risks associated with them in that situation. You take precautions such as putting them in a high cupboard or a locked shed, as you dread the thought of someone swallowing or mishandling them. However, move them into the unfamiliar environment of an aircraft flying high above the earth where they may be subject to severe atmospheric pressure and temperature variations as well as vibrations and many items behave in an unpredictable manner.
Before you pack your bags
Check what you are carrying. Normal personal care items, toiletries and medicinal articles, even in aerosol containers, are allowed to be carried in limited quantities.
There are restrictions on volumes of liquids, aerosols, gels and pastes that can be carried on an International flights.
If you are carrying other household items, check each of these for a hazardous symbol displayed on the container. If the item has one of these symbols, ask yourself if you really need to take it or can I buy something suitable at my destination?
If you are still not sure and think you still want to take a potentially dangerous item, then check the cover of your ticket to see if its listed as forbidden or restricted because it is dangerous goods. If you are still not sure, then contact the airline you are flying with. They have staff who are trained to tell you what can and can't be carried and they will be only to happy to help you with your enquiry.
Provisions for dangerous goods carried by passengers or crew
Note that the airline may reserve the right to refuse to carry any of these items.
In addition the Transport Security Act and Regulations prohibit many items from being carried in the cabin of the aircraft.
Everyday things which were never meant to fly
 
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Camping fuel containers (in almost all cases, these cannot be carried. You will have to settle for buying fuel at your destination) Surfboard repair kits (the resin in these kits is highly flammable) Corrosives such as acids, alkalis and mercury. Security attache cases incorporating explosives and dye cartridges are forbidden Machines with petrol powered engines (lawn mowers, whipper snippers, chain saws). These are not permitted as passenger's checked or carry-on baggage. Fireworks, signal flares, sparklers or explosives (these are generally forbidden and in fact most Australian states require permits for the possession of fireworks) Fuel, paints, lighter refills, matches Drain cleaners and solvents Spray cans, butane fuel, scuba tanks, propane tanks, CO2 cartridges Self inflating life vests Ammunition, gunpowder, mace, tear gas or pepper sprays are generally forbidden Dry ice, gasoline powered tools, wet cell batteries and camping gear with fuel. Radioactive materials Poisons Infectious substances. |
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Dangerous goods incidents
Read about factual scenarios relating to some of the dangerous goods incidents involving passengers which have come to the attention of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority over the past couple of years.
Security requirements
The Australian Government has introduced aviation security measures including screening of passengers and baggage. The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has a fact sheet Information for Australian Travellers which describes these measure and how they affect air travellers.
There are a number of items (including weapons) that the Transport Security Act and Regulations (Contact: transport.security@infrastructure.gov.au ) prohibit from being carried in the cabin of an aircraft or through a screening point. Examples of such prohibited items and weapons include:
- knives, including metal cutlery knives
- guns and ammunition, including toys and replicas
- explosives
- scissors
- tools such as chisels
- crossbows and spear guns
- sporting goods that could be used to harm including bats, sticks, poles, rods and spikes.
This is not a complete list of weapons and prohibited items. There may also be other things banned under other forms of legislation or through the Airline's prerogative to not carry them. If you are unsure about any such items, please check with your airline before you travel – or leave them at home.
Further information
Further information on dangerous goods may be obtained by contacting the Civil Aviation Safety Authority on telephone 131757.