Travelling with a carer

Qantas values our customers with specific needs, including customers with disability.  Your safety and comfort is important to us and we have independent traveller requirements for all of our customers.  If a customer does not meet the independent traveller requirements, they will need to travel with a carer who can assist them. 

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

• self-toilet and manage personal hygiene care; and
• eat and drink during the course of the flight (if needing or wanting to do so); and
• administer any medication, or carry out routine medical procedures and correctly use any medical equipment during the flight. A medical clearance form (PDF) should be completed if there is 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).

To travel independently, you should also 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 a customer does not meet all of the independent traveller requirements, they will need to travel with a carer or carers who do meet the independent traveller requirements.  

Carers must travel in an adjoining seat in the same class of service (ie, if customer is in economy class, then the carer needs to travel in economy class).  

Carers need to be self-reliant, and both mentally and physically able to assist the customer 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
• communicating the needs or preferences of the customer if the customer cannot do so themselves.

For domestic travel within Australia, customers needing to travel with a carer are eligible for reduced fares for both themselves and their carer, provided that the customer holds:

• a current Carer Concession photo identification card issued by People with Disability Australia (PWDA); or
• a current Centrlink Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) with blind entitlement; or
• a current travel pass for Pension with Vision Impaired issued by a state or territory authority

Details regarding Carer Concession Card applications and renewals can be found at PWDAOpens in a new tab or window by calling PDWA on 1800 422 015 (toll free) or via email qccc@pwd.org.au.