Air passenger rights in Australia (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: Australia has no statutory fixed-sum compensation scheme for delayed or cancelled flights comparable to EU261 or UK261 in the sources read. Passengers have the automatic consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law, which can lead to a replacement flight or a refund. An Aviation Consumer Protection Bill 2026 (ombuds scheme and charter) is before the Senate.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Governing regulationDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flights | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Arrival delay giving a right to compensationDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flights | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Compensation: flights up to 1,500 kmDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flights | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Compensation: flights of 1,500 to 3,500 kmDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flights | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Compensation: flights over 3,500 kmDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flights | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Care and refund when a flight is delayedDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flights | There is no set delay length. Under the consumer guarantees, services must be provided within a reasonable time. Whether a delay or cancellation is a failure depends on its length, whether it was within the provider's control, and whether the passenger was moved to another service at a suitable time. If the replacement is not within a reasonable time, the passenger may choose a replacement service or a refund, and may have a right to reimbursement of the cost of a flight booked with another airline when no reasonable replacement was offered. No refund or replacement is due where the passenger changes their mind, misses the flight through no fault of the airline, or a third party (for example government travel restrictions) prevents the service. [1] |
| Which flights are coveredDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flights | Consumer guarantees apply to travel services within Australia, services provided by international businesses that depart Australia, and services to Australia from another country that were booked through the provider's Australian website, whether booked directly, through a travel agent or through a booking platform. [1] |
| National enforcement bodyDelayed, cancelled or overbooked flights | Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for the Australian Consumer Law: it educates businesses and consumers and can investigate if a business misleads consumers about their consumer guarantee rights. It does not resolve individual complaints about delayed or cancelled travel services. [1] |
Notes
- There is no air passenger rights regulation of the EU261 or UK261 type. Consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law apply instead. This field has only EU261 and UK261 values, so it is left unverified.
- The ACCC gives no fixed delay length; the test is a 'reasonable time', decided case by case by a court or tribunal.
- The ACCC page states that airlines have their own compensation policies and that these do not replace the consumer guarantees. No statutory fixed amounts were found in the sources read, so no amount is shown.
- Airline compensation policies are separate from, and do not replace, the consumer guarantees (ACCC).
- Pending: the Aviation Consumer Protection Bill 2026 (Aviation Consumer Ombuds Scheme and Aviation Consumer Protections Charter, enforced by an Aviation Consumer Protection Authority) was introduced on 1 April 2026 and, on the Parliament of Australia bill page read on 13 October 2026, has the status 'Before Senate'. It has not taken effect.
Sources
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC): Travel delays and cancellations (Internet Archive snapshot of 14 January 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.