Crew Travel Authority

Under the Special Purpose visa framework, a Crew Travel Authority (subclass 942) is an electronic immigration record. Commercial airlines register crew members for Crew Travel Authorities to aid uplift. The registration is valid for the life of the passport. Commercial airlines can use the Carrier Portal to check that their international aircrew can legally enter Australia.

International airline flights include:

• commercial passenger flights or
• chartered passenger flights or
• freight or cargo flights

Crew members with Australian or New Zealand passports do not need Crew Travel Authorities.

If you are a New Zealand citizen further information regarding your entry requirements, entitlements and pathway to permanent residence and citizenship can be found at the New Zealand citizens webpage.

People operating private flights can't register for, or use a Crew Travel Authority (subclass 942) to enter Australia. The flight must be a commercial or chartered flight carrying passengers or cargo.

To see what other visas you might be eligible for use the Visa Finder.

• visit Australia as part of your work as an international airline crew member or aircraft safety inspector who is employed by a foreign government
• arrive as a passenger (as an airline positioning crew member) on a commercial aircraft to move an international aircraft from Australia
• arrive in Australia as an aircraft safety inspector, if you hold a valid government identity document showing you are employed by a foreign government, or if you hold an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Safety Inspector Certificate

If you are an international airline crew member or aircraft safety inspector, you can stay in Australia for up to 30 days.

If you are an airline positioning crew member, you can stay in Australia for up to 5 days.

If you are a New Zealand citizen crew member who arrives in Australia and do not hold another visa (such as a permanent residence visa) and you wish to remain in Australia longer than the above periods, you should not enter Australia via SmartGate. Instead, you should approach a border clearance officer and make an application to be granted a Special Category visa (subclass 444) by:

• completing an incoming passenger card and
• presenting your New Zealand passport

The SCV will allow you to live, visit, work and study in Australia.

When you leave Australia, your SCV will end. Next time you enter Australia, you will apply for a new SCV.

Entering Australia on a Special Purpose visa as a crew member rather than an SCV may impact your status as a resident for social security purposes.

If you apply for the SCV after you arrive in Australia, you will need to apply online and attend an appointment. For further information see New Zealand citizens

You can't stay in Australia as the holder of a Special Purpose visa longer than allowed. You must apply for another type of visa if you want to stay longer.

Free

You must obey Australian laws. You cannot use a Crew Travel Authority to:

• travel as a passenger to Australia, unless you are an airline positioning crew member or
• work on more than one domestic leg in Australia, this domestic leg must be part of an international arrival or departure flight

You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want when working as an airline aircrew member or as an airline safety inspector, while the Crew Travel Authority is valid.

The time you spend outside Australia does not extend the Crew Travel Authority.

The Crew Travel Authority registration is valid for the life of your passport and is based on your passport expiry date.

We will digitally link your Crew Travel Authority to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport.

You can't include family on this travel authority.

You must be travelling on an international airline flight that is a:

• commercial passenger flight, or
• chartered passenger flight, or
• freight or cargo flight

You must also be:

• an airline crew member who:
  • is employed by an international air carrier as aircrew
  • travels to Australia as part of your job as aircrew
  • will leave Australia by air as part of your job or as a passenger
  or
• an airline positioning crew member who:
  • is employed by an international air carrier as aircrew
  • travels to Australia as an air passenger as part of your job
  • will leave Australia as aircrew
  or
• an aircraft safety inspector who:
  • is employed by a foreign government to inspect the safety procedures of international air carriers or the safety of aircraft
  • travels to Australia by air as part of your job
  • will leave Australia by air as part of your job or as a passenger

Before you leave

Check your travel documents

You must have a valid:

• Crew Travel Authority to enter Australia
• passport or other travel document
• Airline Identity Card or ICAO Safety Inspector Certificate

At the border

After registering for a Crew Travel Authority, you must also show other documents when you arrive in Australia.

Airline crew members

We will grant Airline crew members a Special Purpose visa for 30 days, beginning from their arrival in Australia, provided they:

• hold a valid passport or other travel document
• hold a valid Airline Identity Card and
• are included on the crew list provided to the Australian Border Force by or for the carrier that operates the aircraft.

Crew members on freight flights should also be listed on the General Declaration Form signed on behalf of the air carrier.

Airline positioning crew

Airline positioning crew members are automatically granted a Special Purpose visa for 5 days, beginning from their arrival in Australia, provided they hold a valid passport or other travel document.

They must also have a letter from their employer that:

• certifies that they are an airline crew member
• sets out the purpose of their travel
• details the arrangements for them to leave Australia

Aircraft safety inspectors

We will grant Aircraft safety inspectors a Special Purpose visa for 30 days, beginning from their arrival in Australia, provided they:

• hold a valid passport or other travel document
• hold a valid government identity document showing that they are employed by a foreign government as an airline safety inspector
• an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Safety Inspector Certificate and
• are included in a list of crew members given to the Australian Border Force by or for the carrier that operates the aircraft.

Staying longer

You can't stay in Australia longer by extending this travel authority. You must apply for another visa if you want to stay longer.

Proving you have a valid Crew Travel Authority

Airline carriers and Australian border officials can use the Advance Passenger Processing system to check whether crew members hold valid Crew Travel Authorities.

Before you leave

Check your travel documents

You must have a valid passport or other travel document to leave Australia.

At the Border

Leaving the airport faster

We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.

After you leave

International Movement Record

To prove you have been to Australia, request your international movement records.