Travelling with a carer

We value our customers with specific needs, including customers with disability. Your safety and comfort are important to us and we have independent traveller requirements for all our customers. If you don't meet the independent traveller requirements, you'll need to travel with a carer who can assist you. 

To be able to travel independently (without a carer), you must be able to do the following without assistance:

• self-toilet and manage personal hygiene care;
• eat and drink during the flight (if needing or wanting to do so);
• administer any medication, or carry out routine medical procedures and correctly use any medical equipment during the flight. A medical clearance form should be completed if there's any uncertainty about medical needs inflight; and
• self-transfer or be transferred by our staff using our approved transfer methods, when moving between mobility aids and/or the aircraft seat (these may include Eagle Hoist, sling and/or slide board).

Plus, you'll be able to:

• comprehend the passenger safety briefing and/or safety card; and
• communicate with crew members, using your preferred method (including verbal electronic means, communication boards, sign language, lip reading or using diagrams). 

If you don't meet the independent traveller requirements, you'll need to travel with a carer who does meet the independent traveller requirements.  

When travelling with a carer, they must travel in an adjoining seat in the same class of service (i.e. if you're travelling in economy class, then your carer also needs to travel in economy class).  

You carer must be self-reliant, and both mentally and physically able to assist you with the above support as well as: 

• toilet and sanitary requirements both on the aircraft and on the ground,
• inflight and ground emergencies,
• check-in, carry-on baggage and equipment,
• medicating and medical procedures,
• eating and drinking,
• immigration and customs procedures,
• boarding and disembarkation, and
• communicating your needs or preferences if you can't do so.

If you require assistance while travelling and are accompanied by a carer, you may be eligible for reduced fares for both passengers when travelling on Qantas flights within Australia, and overseas flights departing from Australia, provided that you hold: 

• a current Australian Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) with blind entitlement, or
• a current travel pass for Pension with Vision Impaired issued by an Australian state or territory authority.

Details regarding Qantas Carer Concession Card applications, renewals and available discounts for eligible travellers can be found on the People with Disability Australia (PWDA) website, by calling them on 1800 422 015 (toll free within Australia) or by emailing: qccc@pwd.org.au.