Unaccompanied minor waiting at airport

Unaccompanied minors and Young Passengers

We offer a service to help young flyers travelling alone on Qantas operated flights. Your child is our priority, and we'll assist them once checked in, and ensure they're escorted to the pick-up person at their final destination.

If you're booking flights for a child under the age of 12, they must be accompanied by a guardian who is aged 15 years or older, travelling on an adult fare. If the child is travelling alone, they must be registered as an Unaccompanied Minor. Find out how to register an unaccompanied minor.

Travelling as a Young Passenger is an additional option available for children travelling alone who are aged between 12 and 17 years. Find out how to register a Young Passenger

Important: If your child is travelling with a passenger aged between 12 and 14 (inclusive), this passenger is not a suitable guardian (even if an adult fare is booked) therefore the child must still be registered as an Unaccompanied Minor. Jetstar doesn't offer an Unaccompanied Minor service. 

Unaccompanied Minor (5-11 Years)

At Qantas, we consider a child under 12 years to be an Unaccompanied Minor if the child is travelling without the supervision of, or travelling in a separate cabin to:

  • a parent or guardian,
  • a sibling aged 15 years or older, or
  • an adult nominated by the child's parent or guardian.

If your child requires special assistance or needs specific care, they must be accompanied by a fare paying guardian or carer who is aged 15 years or older. For more information on the other services we offer passengers, including travelling with reduced mobility, visit Travelling with specific needs

If your child is between 12 and 17 years of age, you may wish to request they travel as a Young Passenger. See Young passengers travelling alone below for more information.

Young Passenger (12-17 years)

Travelling as a Young Passenger is an additional option available for children travelling alone who are aged between 12 and 17 years.

No additional assistance is provided except in the event of a flight disruption. If the booked flight is cancelled, our team will provide support. We’ll do our best to accommodate the Young Passenger onto another flight to their destination and if that's not possible, we’ll:

  • provide regular updates to the parent/guardian,
  • coordinate supervision including accommodation and transfers, and
  • provide food and beverages.

If your child is aged between 12 and 17 years and comfortable travelling alone, you can request they're identified as a Young Passenger travelling alone by calling your local Qantas office or your travel agent.

Booking a young passenger

If your child is aged between 12 and 17 years and comfortable travelling alone, you can make their booking online, or by contacting your local Qantas office or travel agent.

You'll need to contact your local Qantas office or your travel agent to request they're identified as a Young Passenger travelling alone.

Before travel

Children with luggage

Smart phone

Contact information

The 'Main Contact' nominated by the Parent, Guardian or Responsible Adult noted on the Unaccompanied Minor travel form must be available by telephone at any time without delay while your child is in our care.

If the nominated pickup person doesn't meet your child on arrival at the gate for Australian domestic flights, or at the designated area for international flights, and we cannot contact the Main Contact, we may take any action we deem appropriate including contacting the Police for the safety and welfare of your child.

Day of travel

Girl with cabin crew receiving Joey pack on aircraft

Booking changes

unaccompanied minor

Travel requirements

unaccompanied minor

Some countries have additional documentation requirements for children travelling into and out of the country, such as the United States and South Africa. This documentation may vary, and you’ll need to check with the relevant government authorities to make sure you have everything you need before arriving at the airport.

It’s the parent or guardian's responsibility to manage any entry requirements for your child's destination and any transit cities, and ensure your child carries paper copies of any travel documentation required for their destination, including any visas and proof of identity. 

Discover more about travelling with children