How Much Liquid Can You Take on a Plane? International Rules Explained
On international flights from Australia, you can take liquids in your carry-on in containers of 100ml or less, all fitting inside a single 1-litre clear resealable bag. In your checked suitcase, there's no 100ml limit — you can pack full-size bottles, with separate rules for aerosols and alcohol. Here's the full picture for both.
2min read
Published 21 May 2026
On international flights from Australia, you can take liquids in your carry-on in containers of 100ml or less, all fitting inside a single 1-litre clear resealable bag. In your checked suitcase, there's no 100ml limit — you can pack full-size bottles, with separate rules for aerosols and alcohol. Here's the full picture for both.
Jump To ...
- Liquid Rules for International Flights: Carry-On
- Quick Reference: Carry-On Liquids on International Flights
- How Much Liquid Can You Take in Checked Baggage?
- Exceptions to the Carry-On 100ml Rule
- Do These Rules Apply to Domestic Flights?
- Tips for Getting Liquids Through Security Smoothly
- Frequently Asked Questions
Liquid Rules for International Flights: Carry-On
Australia aligns with the ICAO international standard for carry-on liquids on international flights, enforced at Australian airports by the Australian Border Force. The rules apply to all liquids, aerosols and gels — collectively known as LAGs.
The limits:
- Each container must hold no more than 100 millilitres or 100 grams
- All containers must fit inside a single transparent and re-sealable plastic bag, like a snap-lock bag
- One bag per passenger
- The bag must be able to close fully — if it can't seal, some items need to go in checked luggage.
Important: the 100ml limit refers to the container size, not the amount of liquid inside it. A 150ml bottle that's three-quarters empty still won't pass through security.
What counts as a liquid, aerosol or gel?
More than most people realise. The LAGs rules cover:
- Drinks — water, juice, alcohol (including in carry-on, not just checked)
- Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste
- Moisturiser, sunscreen, lip balm, lip gloss
- Perfume, cologne, spray deodorant, hair spray
- Mascara, liquid foundation, nail polish, hair gel
- Honey, jams, peanut butter, hummus, salsa and similar food pastes
- Snow globes and items containing liquid
Solid items — lipstick, solid deodorant, powder makeup, bar soap — generally do not count as liquids and don't need to go in the 1-litre bag. (See the FAQ section for more on cosmetics.)
Quick Reference: Carry-On Liquids on International Flights
| ✓ ALLOWED IN CARRY-ON | ✗ NOT ALLOWED IN CARRY-ON |
|---|---|
| Liquids in containers ≤ 100ml, sealed 1L clear bag | Containers over 100ml (even if partially full) |
| Prescription medicines with documentation | Full water bottles brought from home |
| Baby formula, breast milk, baby food | Multiple 1-litre clear bags |
| Duty-free liquids in sealed STEB bag + receipt | Opened duty-free outside a sealed STEB bag |
| Contact lens solution ≤ 100ml | Full-size sunscreen, shampoo, or toiletries |
How Much Liquid Can You Take in Checked Baggage?
Your checked suitcase is significantly more flexible. The 100ml rule does not apply — you can pack full-size shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, and other toiletries without restriction. A few limits do apply, however:
Aerosols in checked baggage
This is one of the most-searched questions — and the answer is yes, you can take aerosols in checked baggage, within limits:
- Individual containers: 500ml or less per can
- Total combined volume: no more than 2 litres of aerosols per passenger
- What's included: deodorant, hairspray, dry shampoo, sunscreen spray, insect repellent, spray paint
- What's not permitted: flammable aerosols classified as hazardous materials (check with your airline for specific items) .
Alcohol in checked baggage
Permission to carry alcohol in checked baggage depends on the amount of alcohol by volume (ABV):
- Over 70% ABV: not permitted in checked baggage
- 24%–70% ABV: up to 5 litres per passenger, in original sealed manufacturer's packaging
- Under 24% ABV: generally no restriction (standard wine, beer).
Other liquids in checked baggage
Full-size toiletries — shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, body wash — are fine in checked luggage with no volume restriction beyond the aerosol rules above. A practical note: pack perfume, high-end skincare, and fragile bottles inside a zip-lock bag or wrapped in clothing to protect against breakage.
| 🍶 ITEM | 🧳CHECKED BAGGAGE | 👜 CARRY-ON |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo / conditioner (full size) | ✓ No limit | 100ml max |
| Sunscreen (full size) | ✓ No limit | 100ml max in clear bag |
| Aerosol deodorant | ✓ Up to 500ml / 2L total | 100ml max in clear bag |
| Perfume | ✓ No restriction | 100ml max in clear bag |
| Alcohol (wine/spirits) | ✓ Up to 5L (24–70% ABV) | 100ml max in clear bag |
| Baby formula / breast milk | ✓ No restriction | ✓ Exempt from 100ml rule |
| Prescription medicines | ✓ No restriction | ✓ Exempt — declare at security |
Exceptions to the Carry-On 100ml Rule
Prescription and over-the-counter medicines
Medicines required during the flight are exempt from the 100ml carry-on limit. Carry them in their original labelled packaging and bring a doctor's letter or prescription where possible. Declare them at the security checkpoint — you may be asked to taste or test them.
Baby formula, breast milk and baby food
Permitted beyond the 100ml limit in reasonable quantities for the length of the journey. Declare them at security screening. Juice and snacks for toddlers generally receive the same exemption.
Duty-free liquids
Alcohol, perfume, and other liquid duty-free purchases are allowed in carry-on if they're in a sealed Security Tamper-Evident Bag (STEB) with proof of purchase. Keep the bag sealed until your final destination — opening it at a transit point can cause issues at the next security checkpoint.
Transiting through another country? Check that country's rules around STEB bags from prior ports of call, as some airports have their own restrictions.
💡Practical packing tip
Transfer toiletries into 50ml or 100ml refillable bottles before you leave home — they hold more product than airport travel-size versions, they're reusable, and they'll cost you far less. A set is available at most major chemists.
Do These Rules Apply to Domestic Flights?
No. The 100ml carry-on rule and 1-litre clear bag requirement apply to international flights only. On purely domestic Australian flights — Sydney to Melbourne, Brisbane to Perth — you can carry full-size liquids in your carry-on without restriction.
Two things to keep in mind:
- If your domestic flight connects to an international departure at the same airport, international rules apply from your initial security screening — pack to international standards from the outset
- Individual airlines may apply additional restrictions at their discretion — check with your carrier if you have specific items.
Tips for Getting Liquids Through Security Smoothly
- Pack your 1-litre clear bag at the very top of your carry-on for easy access — you'll need to remove it at the checkpoint
- Check the container size, not how full it is — a 150ml bottle that's half-used still won't pass
- Transfer toiletries at home before you leave, not at the airport
- Get a doctor's letter for any prescription medicine in larger quantities — it avoids delays at the checkpoint
- Declare baby formula and medicines proactively at the checkpoint, rather than waiting to be asked.
Items travellers commonly forget to check
- Standard toothpaste tubes — 100g is fine; 110g is not
- Full-size sunscreen — must go in checked luggage
- Peanut butter and honey in your carry-on snacks bag
- Hand sanitiser — subject to the same LAGs rules
- Snow globes — contain liquid and are frequently confiscated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much liquid can I take on a plane in checked baggage?
There's no overall volume limit for standard liquids (shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser etc.) in checked baggage — you can pack full-size bottles. Aerosols are limited to 500ml per container and 2 litres total per passenger. Alcohol between 24%–70% ABV is limited to 5 litres per person in original sealed packaging. Anything over 70% ABV is not permitted in checked luggage.
Can I take aerosols in checked baggage on international flights?
Yes. Aerosols are permitted in checked baggage in containers up to 500ml each, with a combined total no greater than 2 litres per passenger. This covers deodorant, hairspray, dry shampoo, insect repellent, and sunscreen spray. Flammable or hazardous aerosols may be subject to additional restrictions — check with your airline if you're unsure about a specific product.
Is lipstick considered a liquid when flying?
No, lipstick in a standard twist-up format is a solid and does not need to go in your 1-litre clear bag. The same applies to solid deodorant, powder-based makeup, mascara wands (once the product is dried), and bar soap. Items that are gel, paste, or liquid in consistency — lip gloss, liquid foundation, cream eyeshadow, nail polish — do count as liquids and must comply with the 100ml rule in carry-on.
Do Australian airports follow TSA rules for liquids?
The principles are the same — 100ml containers, 1-litre clear resealable bag, one bag per person — because both Australia and the USA follow the ICAO international standard. However, there are some differences: Australian rules include a domestic flight exemption (no LAGs restrictions on purely domestic Australian flights), and the STEB duty-free handling rules can differ depending on which airport your duty-free was purchased at. If you're flying Australia–USA and transiting at a US airport, TSA rules apply at US security points. Always check Smartraveller for travel-specific guidance.
Can I take a full-size water bottle on a plane?
You can take an empty reusable water bottle through airport security. It must be empty at the checkpoint — officers will ask you to demonstrate this. Once you're past security and airside, you can refill it at a water fountain or purchase drinks to bring on board. Filled water bottles from home cannot be taken through security on international flights.
When should I put liquids in checked baggage instead of carry-on?
Any liquid in a container larger than 100ml needs to go in checked baggage on international flights — this includes standard-size shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, mouthwash, and full-size toiletries. If you're travelling carry-on only, stick to travel-size containers of 100ml or less, and make sure everything fits in a single 1-litre bag that can seal closed.
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