Flying and Airlines in Australia
Flying with an Assistance Dog in Australia
Assistance dogs can travel in the cabin on Australian airlines, however each airline has its own application and carriage requirements.
Under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), an assistance animal does not necessarily have to have completed a GHAD Public Access Test (PAT) to meet the legal definition of an assistance animal. The DDA recognises an animal that is trained to assist a person with disability and trained to meet appropriate standards of hygiene and behaviour for a public place.
However, airlines may require additional evidence before approving an assistance dog for travel. This may include evidence of training, hygiene and behaviour standards, a Public Access Test, identification and veterinary documentation. Requirements can also vary between airlines and may change over time, so always check the airline's current assistance animal requirements before booking.
Paws for Assistance (PFA) recommends contacting your chosen airline well in advance of travel and allowing plenty of time for its assessment and approval process. For first-time flyers, it is also worthwhile discussing your plans with your assistance dog trainer and preparing your dog specifically for the aircraft environment.
Does my dog need a GHAD PAT?
Not necessarily under the DDA92. A Queensland GHAD accreditation or PAT provides useful independent evidence that an assistance dog has been assessed against recognised public access standards, and may make the process of demonstrating eligibility easier with some organisations and airlines.
However, GHAD accreditation is not the only pathway recognised by the DDA. The requirements of the particular airline still need to be checked before travel.
Preparing your dog for flying
Flying presents a very different environment from ordinary public access training. Your dog needs to be comfortable working around busy terminals, security procedures, crowds, lifts, unfamiliar surfaces, confined spaces and the aircraft cabin itself.
Where appropriate, PFA recommends building up to air travel gradually and considering a short domestic flight as part of your dog's preparation. This should only be undertaken when your dog is already demonstrating a reliable standard of public access behaviour and the airline has approved the travel arrangements.
Remember that when you travel with an assistance dog, you are representing not only yourself and your dog, but the wider assistance dog community. Maintaining high standards of behaviour, hygiene and control helps promote positive experiences for everyone travelling with assistance dogs.
Qantas says:
Service Dogs Under Training are limited to a maximum of:
two individual Economy Class Domestic flights (eg, a return city pair SYD-MEL-SYD) for the purpose of travelling to experience the aircraft cabin environment prior to certification, where each flight should not exceed three (3) hours; and
Note: if additional flights are requested and approved, the Approved Training Organisation/Accompanying Trainer must pay for the second seat (that is the seat in front of which the dog is seated) and their seat.
Provided your Service Dog meets all the criteria for the carriage of a Service Dog Under Training and you agree that you will adhere to the General Conditions of Carriage for Service Dogs and Service Dogs Under Training, we’ll then make the necessary arrangements for your travel, including appropriate seating and a moisture absorbent mat.
If a Service Dog Under Training is approved for carriage in the aircraft cabin, that approval is only for carriage as a Service Dog Under Training. Once the dog’s training and certification has been completed, the dog will require a new application and approval as a Service Dog.
Source: Qantas: Service Dogs
Qantas
Jetstar
https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/help/articles/travelling-with-a-service-dog
Virgin Australia
Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Travelling with an Assistance Animal
https://www.casa.gov.au/standard-page/assistance-dogs-general-information-travellers
Travel Paws - travelling with your Assistance Dog general Information
Bringing your assistance dog into the United kingdom
Head over to this LINK for further information.
Singapore airlines, transshipping dogs & cats
Head over to this LINK for further information on travelling with Singapore Airlines or transiting.
Bringing an assistance dog to new zealand-2026 process
Head over to this LINKfor the latest information from NZ as of August 2026. Watch out for updates!
