Melbourne Airport (MEL)

Passengers entering Australia are required to provide arrival, customs and biosecurity information.

As of August 2026, the standard process for most passengers remains the paper Incoming Passenger Card (IPC). The card is normally provided during the journey or at the arrival terminal.

Australia is progressively introducing the digital Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) as an alternative to the paper Incoming Passenger Card.

The Australian Border Force announced in July 2026 that the ATD is planned to be introduced across Australia's international airports and seaports before the end of 2027. Until the system is fully rolled out, passengers should follow the arrival declaration instructions provided by their airline and Australian Border Force.

Travellers must answer Australia's customs and biosecurity questions accurately.

Australia has strict controls relating to items including:

Passengers who are unsure whether an item needs to be declared should declare it and allow Australian border officials to assess it.

Most non-Australian citizens require an appropriate visa or travel authority before travelling to Australia.

The visa required depends on factors including:

Travellers should check their individual requirements through the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs before booking or travelling.

Terminal 1 (T1) handles domestic flights.

The terminal is located next to the international terminal precinct, making connections between T1 and T2 possible on foot.

Facilities include:

Terminal 2 (T2) is Melbourne Airport's international terminal.

International passengers arriving in or departing from Melbourne normally use T2.

Facilities include:

Melbourne Airport also currently provides shower facilities in T2, both before and after security screening.

Terminal 3 (T3) handles domestic flights.

T3 is located next to the international terminal area and within walking distance of the other terminals.

Passengers connecting between T2 and T3 can make the terminal transfer on foot.

Terminal 4 (T4) handles domestic flights and is connected with the airport's Terminal 4 Transport Hub.

T4 is approximately 100 metres south of T3, according to Melbourne Airport.

The Transport Hub provides access to:

Passengers arriving internationally at T2 and connecting to a domestic flight must complete Australian arrival procedures before transferring to their domestic terminal.

Melbourne Airport confirms that international arrivals connecting domestically must collect their luggage and clear customs before transferring to the domestic service.

Passengers should allow sufficient connection time for border procedures, baggage collection and the domestic check-in process.

Passengers arriving on a domestic flight and connecting to an international flight will need to proceed to T2 International.

Passengers should allow sufficient time for international departure formalities.

Passengers connecting between international flights should follow their airline's transfer instructions and airport signage.

The exact process depends on:

Passengers travelling on separate tickets or needing to enter Australia should ensure they have the appropriate Australian immigration permission.

Unlike Sydney Airport, Melbourne Airport's international and domestic terminals are all located within the same terminal precinct.

Melbourne Airport confirms that:

T1, T2, T3 and T4 are all within walking distance.

Passengers therefore do not normally need a shuttle bus simply to move between passenger terminals.

T1 and T3 are located on either side of the T2 international terminal area, while T4 is approximately 100 metres south of T3.

This makes terminal transfers relatively straightforward compared with airports where international and domestic terminals are located in separate precincts.

Passengers requiring mobility assistance should arrange support with their airline or airport assistance service.

Passengers connecting through Melbourne may require an Australian transit visa depending on:

Travellers should not assume that remaining at the airport automatically means no Australian visa is required.

Passengers should check their individual transit requirements through the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs before travelling.

SkyBus provides express bus services between Melbourne Airport and Melbourne and selected surrounding destinations.

Melbourne Airport currently lists SkyBus services connecting the airport with:

The airport currently states that SkyBus services operate 24/7, with travel to the city generally taking around 30–45 minutes, depending on traffic and service conditions.

Because schedules, destinations and fares can change, passengers should check current SkyBus information before travelling.

Melbourne CBD

St Kilda

Frankston

Public bus services connect Melbourne Airport with the wider public transport network.

Public and other bus services operate from the Transport Hub near Terminal 4.

Passengers using regular Victorian public transport services generally need an appropriate myki payment method.

Routes and schedules can change, so passengers should check current public transport information before travelling.

Taxi ranks are available at Melbourne Airport.

Current airport guidance provides designated taxi ranks outside T1, T2 and at the T4 Transport Hub.

Passengers should use only official designated taxi ranks and avoid unsolicited offers of transportation.

Road journey times vary depending on:

Traffic

Time of day

Destination

Road conditions

Rideshare services operate at Melbourne Airport, with designated pickup areas serving the terminals.

Melbourne Airport currently lists services including Uber and DiDi, among other rideshare providers, and provides dedicated pickup locations across the airport.

International passengers using Uber currently have a dedicated pickup location outside Terminal 2.

Because pickup arrangements are operational information and can change, passengers should follow current airport signage and the pickup instructions displayed in their rideshare app.

Regional, direct, group and charter bus services connect Melbourne Airport with destinations outside central Melbourne.

These services operate from the Terminal 4 Transport Hub.

They may be useful for passengers continuing to regional Victoria or other destinations.

Passengers should check the individual operator's current timetable and booking requirements before travelling.

Private airport transfers can be arranged in advance through hotels, transportation providers and travel companies.

Private transfers can be useful for:

Families

Groups

Business travellers

Travellers with significant luggage

First-time visitors

Passengers travelling to destinations outside central Melbourne

Car rental services are available at Melbourne Airport.

The airport lists several major car rental providers with facilities located on-site.

Hiring a vehicle may be particularly useful for travellers planning to explore destinations outside Melbourne.

International visitors should ensure they meet applicable Australian and Victorian driving requirements.

For travellers staying mainly in Melbourne CBD, public transport, SkyBus, taxi or rideshare may be more convenient than driving.