Key facts for your Qantas child travel plan
Qantas primary sources reviewed April 5, 2026. Always confirm the specific child, route, and operating carrier with Qantas before you book.
Planning a Qantas unaccompanied minor flight? For children aged 5 to 11, the service is mandatory. Teens aged 12 to 15 can choose to use the service. Those 16 and 17 are considered Young Passengers.
Organizing a child's solo flight can feel daunting, but taking it step-by-step makes it easier. This guide walks you through Qantas's rules on age, booking, fees, documents, and what to expect at the airport. Let's get started.
Is Your Child Eligible to Fly Alone on Qantas?
The short answer: Children 5–11 must use the UM service. Teens 12–15 can opt-in for the service. Those 16-17 can travel as Young Passengers.
Eligibility depends on more than just age. The service is only available on Qantas-operated flights. Codeshare flights are not eligible. Always check the "operated by" line on your ticket.
Key detail: For international travel or flights with numbers QF1-399, you must book through a Qantas office or travel agent.
Understanding Qantas's Age Requirements
The main rule: Children aged 5 to 11 must use the UM service. Teens 12 to 15 can use it optionally. Those 16-17 are Young Passengers.
Always check the child's age on both the outbound and return flight dates. A birthday during the trip can affect the rules. Provide Qantas with the correct date of birth from the start.
If siblings are traveling together, the rules for the youngest child usually apply. Do not assume an older sibling can act as the responsible adult.
What Does the Qantas Unaccompanied Minor Service Provide?
It's a travel handoff, not a babysitting service.
Qantas staff will assist your child through the airport, from check-in to boarding, and manage any connections. However, the service does not provide continuous medical or personal care. Your child should be able to handle their own basic needs.
The service includes a verified handoff to the adult named in the booking at the destination. It's a supervised travel arrangement, not a replacement for a guardian.
How to Book the Unaccompanied Minor Service
Booking rule: For eligible Australian domestic travel book online without an adult; for international/QF1–399 contact a Qantas office or agent and complete the Wallet.
Before You Pay
Have all the details ready: the child's full legal name, date of birth, flight numbers, and the full names and contact details for both the sending and receiving adults.
After You Book
Save the booking reference, ticket number, and any written confirmation of the UM service. Double-check your booking to ensure the service is correctly applied to each flight segment.
Passport, Consent and Essential Documents
What to carry: Complete the UM Travel Document/Wallet and bring passport, consent and adult IDs.
Make sure the names on the ticket, passport, and consent forms match perfectly. The Qantas Travel Document/Wallet is crucial. Keep all documents in your child's carry-on bag.
Check if you need additional notarized consent letters for international travel, especially if the child is traveling with one parent or has a different last name.
Service Fees and Additional Costs
Fee rule: From July 2026 the live Australian page shows higher prebooked and airport charges; obtain the exact domestic/international amount before payment.
When you book, ask for a full itemized quote that separates the airfare, the UM service fee, baggage costs, and taxes. The fee is specific to your route and can be higher if paid at the airport.
Remember that a cheap fare might not include the UM service. Confirm the total cost before you finalize the booking.
Qantas Child Baggage Policy and What to Pack
Baggage rule: Baggage follows the child ticket; supervision fee is separate.
Pack a light, manageable carry-on bag for your child. Inside, include: a paper card with emergency contacts, their travel documents, any permitted medication, a phone charger, a light jacket, and a snack.
Keep valuables to a minimum and use a discreet name tag.
Strollers, Car Seats and Special Equipment
Equipment rule: Adaptive equipment needs advance approval.
If you need to bring a stroller or car seat, ask about the airline's policy. This request is separate from the UM service and must be arranged in advance.
Airport Handoff: Check-in, Boarding and Pickup
Airport rule: The sender completes the wallet; the collector follows identity release.
At Departure
Arrive early to complete the paperwork. The adult dropping the child off will need to show ID and must stay in the airport until the flight departs.
At Arrival
The adult picking up the child must arrive early with the same photo ID that was provided during booking. The child will only be released to the named person.
Connections, Codeshares and International Travel
Route rule: Avoid codeshares, other airlines, overnight, cross-airport transfers and last flights; domestic transit normally under four hours.
International rule: Thailand, U.S. and South Africa may apply special documents/ages.
Always check the "operated by" line. If the flight is a codeshare, the UM service is not valid. For international trips, be aware that some countries have stricter age or document requirements.
Accessibility and Special Travel Assistance
Support rule: A child unable to self-administer medication needs a carer.
If your child needs help with mobility, communication, or has medical needs, inform Qantas in advance. If they cannot manage essential tasks alone, the airline may require an adult companion.
A Practical Example for Planning
Let's say you find a direct Qantas domestic flight. The first thing to do is check the age of your child.
Next, you verify the route details. Is it a Qantas-operated flight? If so, you can proceed. You then book online and add the UM service. On the day of travel, both parents track the flight. If a schedule change occurs, you must call Qantas to ensure the new itinerary is still eligible.
Parent Tips and Final Checklist
Prepare your child for the journey by explaining the process. Show them a photo of the person who will pick them up.
Delay plan: Rebook any ineligible overnight or partner change.
Write down the booking reference and phone numbers. Reconfirm all details after any schedule change.
Qantas Minor Travel Comparison Table
| Age/category | Solo eligibility | Service | Fee or fare | Key note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 | Adult required | No UM | N/A | Too young |
| Age 5–11 | Online (domestic) | UM mandatory | Live A$ fee | Wallet |
| Age 5–11 (Intl) | Office/agent | UM mandatory | Live A$ fee | Qantas-operated |
| Age 12–15 | Adult booking + request | Optional | Fee if used | Young Passenger |
This table is a planning guide. Only the airline can approve a child's travel on a specific itinerary.
Qantas Booking and Service Action Center
This section is a quick-reference guide for managing your booking. All actions depend on Qantas's final approval of the child and the service.
Use these points to verify reservations, handle changes, and prepare for fees, check-in, and baggage.
Booking and Reservations
Booking rule: For eligible Australian domestic travel book online without an adult; for international/QF1–399 contact a Qantas office or agent and complete the Wallet.
Provide the child's full legal name and exact birth date. Save the booking reference and the written confirmation of the UM service.
Manage, Modify or Update Your Booking
You can retrieve your reservation online or through the original booking channel. Before making any changes, check the child's name, flight details, operator, and contact information.
After a change, always confirm with Qantas that the UM service is still active and that all passenger information is correct.
Add or Manage the Minor Service
To add, remove, or update the UM service, you must contact Qantas directly. Ensure the guardian and emergency contact details match their identification exactly.
The official airline booking, not a separate message, must reflect any new escort or collector.
Flight Changes, Delays and Rebooking
Route rule: Avoid codeshares, other airlines, overnight, cross-airport transfers and last flights; domestic transit normally under four hours.
If a delay or schedule change happens, check the new operator, stops, and arrival time before accepting a new flight.
Disruption rule: Rebook any ineligible overnight or partner change.
Cancellation, Refund and Travel Credit
When requesting a cancellation, ask the agent to separate the airfare from the UM service fee. Confirm the refund or credit amount and the timeline for processing.
Keep all cancellation and refund receipts. Processing times can vary.
Qantas Fees and Additional Charges
Fee point: From July 2026 the live Australian page shows higher prebooked and airport charges; obtain the exact domestic/international amount before payment.
Request a detailed breakdown of all costs: airfare, UM fee, seats, bags, taxes, and any change fees.
Check-in, Boarding Pass and Gate Process
Airport rule: The sender completes the wallet; the collector follows identity release.
Online check-in is usually not possible for UM travelers. Use the staffed counter, and arrive early to complete the paperwork. Ask about the possibility of a gate pass.
Airport Assistance and Guardian Handoff
Confirm who will receive the child at the departure and arrival airports. The meet-and-assist service and the UM service are not always the same.
The collecting adult must arrive with current photo ID. A late or unapproved pickup can cause issues.
Carry-on, Checked and Delayed Baggage
Baggage rule: Baggage follows the child ticket; supervision fee is separate.
Keep all travel documents in a light, easy-to-manage carry-on. Save bag tags and report any missing baggage immediately.
Passport, Visa, Consent and Child ID
Document rule: Complete the UM Travel Document/Wallet and bring passport, consent and adult IDs.
Remember: the airline's form does not replace a passport, visa, notarized consent, or immigration documents.
Domestic and International Child Travel
International point: Thailand, U.S. and South Africa may apply special documents/ages.
A domestic approval does not automatically apply to an international trip. Review immigration, customs, and the rules of each operating airline.
Authorized Pickup and Drop-off Contacts
Confirm the accepted ID, meeting point, local time, and how long the sender must stay. Ask how to update a guardian if needed.
Both adults should track the same flight. A backup collector still requires airline approval.
Primary Source for This Qantas Guide
The information on this page is based on one main source from Qantas. Always check the airline's official guidance before you book and again just before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs offer clear answers to the most common questions parents have about Qantas's unaccompanied minor service.
What is the age requirement for a child to fly alone with Qantas?+
Children aged 5 to 11 must use the unaccompanied minor service. Teens aged 12 to 15 can choose to use it. Those 16 and 17 are considered Young Passengers.
How much does the Qantas unaccompanied minor service cost?+
The fee has been updated as of July 2026. It is higher when booked at the airport. You need to get the exact domestic or international fee for your specific route.
Can I book a Qantas unaccompanied minor flight online?+
Yes, for eligible domestic Australian flights. For international flights or those with flight numbers QF1-399, you must book through a Qantas office or travel agent.
What documents are needed for a Qantas unaccompanied minor flight?+
You need to complete the Qantas UM Travel Document/Wallet. You'll also need the child's passport, any visas, and the photo ID of both the sending and receiving adults.
Can my child fly on a codeshare flight with the Qantas unaccompanied minor service?+
Generally, no. The service is not available on codeshare or partner-operated flights. You must book a flight operated by Qantas.
What is the baggage allowance for an unaccompanied minor on Qantas?+
The baggage allowance is the same as what's included in the child's fare. It is a separate matter from the unaccompanied minor service fee.
What happens at the airport for a Qantas unaccompanied minor?+
The child is handed over at check-in. The sending adult completes the necessary forms and must stay until the flight departs. The child is released at the destination to the adult who presents matching ID.
Can a child under 5 fly alone with Qantas?+
No, the unaccompanied minor service is not available for children under 5. They must be accompanied by an adult (15 years or older).
What happens if my Qantas flight is delayed or cancelled?+
If a delay results in an overnight connection or a partner airline being used, you must contact Qantas to rebook on an eligible Qantas-operated service.
Are the rules for international travel different?+
Yes, specific destinations like Thailand, the USA, and South Africa may have additional document or age requirements. Always check the rules for your child's destination.
Can two siblings travel together under the unaccompanied minor service?+
Yes, but the rules are typically based on the youngest child's age. Confirm with Qantas if they can be placed on the same booking record.
Who can pick up my child after the flight?+
Only the adult named in the Qantas record can collect the child. They must arrive early and present a valid, government-issued photo ID.
Can I change the person picking up my child?+
Yes, but only with Qantas's approval before the flight. A message from the child is not enough. You must have the change confirmed in writing.
Will the crew give my child medicine?+
No, the crew cannot administer medication. If your child requires help with medicine, they must be accompanied by a carer.
Can I go to the gate with my child?+
The airport and security decide this. Ask at the check-in counter, bring your ID, and be ready to stay in the terminal until the flight has departed.
What should my child pack in their carry-on bag?+
Pack a paper card with contacts, their documents, any permitted medication, a phone charger, a warm layer, and a light snack. Keep the bag manageable for them.
Do domestic and international rules differ for the unaccompanied minor service?+
Yes. International rules often have stricter age requirements and may require additional government consent forms.
What proof should I keep after booking the service?+
Save the booking reference, the ticket number, and any written confirmation from Qantas that the unaccompanied minor service has been added.
When should I reconfirm the booking?+
Reconfirm after any schedule change and again a few days before travel. Always check the operating carrier and connection times.
Continue your planning
Editorial and Verification Note
For the most up-to-date information, Qantas is the final authority. Public authorities set the rules for passports, consent, and entry requirements. The primary link to the airline's official guidance is provided in the source section above.
Editorial Note: Updated April 5, 2026. This guide was written and reviewed to be helpful and accurate. A person should always compare this guide with the current information from Qantas. We do not claim affiliation with Qantas.