Perth Visitors Information - Other Information

Taxes:
Departure tax of AUD$38.00 is generally included in your airfare, so there are no added taxes for you to pay when you visit Perth Airport.

Tourist Refund:
As part of The New Tax System the Government introduced a Tourist Refund Scheme. The scheme is administered by Customs and took effect on 1 July 2000. The scheme means tourists and Australian overseas travellers may be entitled to a refund of goods and services tax (GST) and wine equalisation tax (WET) on purchases of goods bought from Australian retailers. Conditions apply. Travellers can claim the refund from customs officers at the Tourist Refund Scheme booth located at the Perth Airport, on the second floor in the Departure/ Transit Lounge when departing Australia.

Australian Customs:
Australian Customs play a major role at Perth Airport, screening every person and item that enters and leaves Australia. In Australia, Customs officers collect import duties and sales tax, check passengers and baggage for drugs, firearms (including replica guns such as BB guns), animal skins and other prohibited items (such as blowpipes and flick knives). If you are carrying currency of $A10,000 or more into or out of Australia, Customs requires you to declare this fact as you depart or arrive. An International Currency Transfer Report Form is available from Customs.Australian citizens no longer require their passports to be stamped by Customs following a decision to streamline the process for facilitating incoming and outgoing passengers. However, Customs are continuing to stamp the passports of Foreign nationals.

Airport Security:
Before departing Perth Airport, passengers are required to pass through a stringent security screening process to ensure the safety and efficiency of airport and airline operations. The following process is in place to achieve this goal:

Passengers check in and have their passport ready for viewing.
Baggage make-up - luggage is checked in here, with selected items being screened through an x-ray machine.
Passengers enter the departures gate and will move through Customs passport control.
At the entrance of the departure lounge, hand luggage and any additional items on person are security screened.
Your boarding pass will be checked prior to entering the appropriate gate for your departure flight.

Please ensure you are prepared for this process to ensure efficient movement of all passengers.

Increased Security arrangements:
Passengers intending to travel from Perth Airport are advised that there have been several changes in security arrangements.There are now increased limitations on the items that are allowed for carriage in he cabin of the aircraft. All knives or cutting implements such as nail scissors and pocketknives or sharp pointed objects like knitting needles, or corkscrews are prohibited as hand luggage. These items should be packed in your check in luggage for travel. Prohibited items detected during the screening process may not be returned to the passenger.Passengers with a bona fide medical condition may carry a medical kit containing appropriate medical equipment. These passengers should carry evidence such as a doctor's certificate to substantiate their condition and also obtain airline approval prior to travel.Parking anywhere in the vicinity of any airport terminal outside of the allocated spaces in the public car parks is not permitted. Visitors may set down or pick up passengers in front of the terminals.

Australian Quarantine:
The role of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) is to prevent the entry into Australia of exotic pests, diseases and weeds that could affect plant, animal and human health and our environment.A passenger declaration card is given on the plane to all travellers entering Australia, and you must tick YES if you have any food or goods of plant or animal origin. Prohibited or unwanted items you don't wish to declare should be dropped in the quarantine bin on the way to collect your baggage. On the spot fines apply if you do not declare items of quarantine concern. AQIS has Quarantine Detector Dogs at work at Perth Airport which are trained to search for items of quarantine concern. If the dogs come near you, please place your bags on the floor to allow them to be inspected. Declared items may not necessarily be seized - some items may be inspected and returned, while others may be treated and available for collection at a later date.A comprehensive list of what you must declare and what you must not bring into Australia is located on the Australia Quarantine and Inspection Services