The list of International Airports in Australia are vital gateways connecting the country to Asia, Europe, North America, and the Pacific region, supporting tourism, migration, education, and business. Given Australia’s geographical location and vast size, its international airports play a key role in ensuring accessibility between states and providing long-haul connections to the rest of the world. From Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport in New South Wales to Melbourne Tullamarine in Victoria and Brisbane International Airport in Queensland, these airports handle millions of passengers annually, making them central to both domestic and international travel. This guide offers a detailed overview of international airports in Australia, categorized by state and city, alongside their importance, busiest hubs, and role in global connectivity.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- List of International Airports in Australia
- Major International Airports in Australia
- International Airports by State and Territory
- Top 10 Busiest Airports in Australia
- Transportation and Accessibility
- Role of Australian Airports in Tourism, Immigration, and Education
- Airlines Operating in Australia
- Conclusion
List of International Airports in Australia
| Airport Name | City | State/Territory |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) | Sydney | New South Wales |
| Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport (MEL) | Melbourne | Victoria |
| Brisbane International Airport (BNE) | Brisbane | Queensland |
| Perth International Airport (PER) | Perth | Western Australia |
| Adelaide International Airport (ADL) | Adelaide | South Australia |
| Hobart International Airport (HBA) | Hobart | Tasmania |
| Darwin International Airport (DRW) | Darwin | Northern Territory |
| Cairns International Airport (CNS) | Cairns | Queensland |
| Gold Coast International Airport (OOL) | Gold Coast | Queensland |
| Canberra International Airport (CBR) | Canberra | Australian Capital Territory |
Major International Airports in Australia
- Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD), New South Wales – The busiest airport in Australia and a global hub with flights to Asia, North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
- Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport (MEL), Victoria – Australia’s second busiest airport, serving major global airlines and acting as a hub for international students and immigrants.
- Brisbane International Airport (BNE), Queensland – A major gateway for travelers heading to Queensland’s tourist destinations, including the Gold Coast and the Great Barrier Reef.
- Perth International Airport (PER), Western Australia – The primary entry point to Western Australia, with strong connections to Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
- Adelaide International Airport (ADL), South Australia – Serves as the key gateway for South Australia, connecting to Asia-Pacific and domestic routes.
- Cairns International Airport (CNS), Queensland – Important for tourism, especially for travelers visiting the Great Barrier Reef and northern Queensland.
International Airports by State and Territory
New South Wales
- Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) – Australia’s largest and busiest airport.
- Key hub for Qantas and Virgin Australia.
- Extensive routes across Asia, Europe, the US, and Middle East.
Victoria
- Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport (MEL) – Serves as the primary hub for Victoria.
- Major entry point for international students and immigrants.
Queensland
- Brisbane International Airport (BNE) – Key hub for Queensland.
- Gold Coast International Airport (OOL) – Serves both domestic and international flights, particularly budget airlines.
- Cairns International Airport (CNS) – Popular for tourism, with direct flights from Asia and New Zealand.
Western Australia
- Perth International Airport (PER) – Strategic location for flights to Asia, Africa, and Europe.
- Serves as the hub for mining and business-related travel.
South Australia
- Adelaide International Airport (ADL) – Connects South Australia with Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern destinations.
Tasmania
- Hobart International Airport (HBA) – Handles seasonal international flights, mainly to New Zealand.
Northern Territory
- Darwin International Airport (DRW) – Connects Northern Australia with Asia and seasonal global destinations.
Australian Capital Territory
- Canberra International Airport (CBR) – Handles domestic and limited international services, especially government and diplomatic traffic.
Top 10 Busiest Airports in Australia
| Rank | Airport Name | State/Territory | Annual Passengers (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) | New South Wales | 40+ million |
| 2 | Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL) | Victoria | 35+ million |
| 3 | Brisbane International (BNE) | Queensland | 20+ million |
| 4 | Perth International (PER) | Western Australia | 15+ million |
| 5 | Adelaide International (ADL) | South Australia | 8+ million |
| 6 | Gold Coast International (OOL) | Queensland | 6+ million |
| 7 | Cairns International (CNS) | Queensland | 5+ million |
| 8 | Canberra International (CBR) | Australian Capital Territory | 3+ million |
| 9 | Hobart International (HBA) | Tasmania | 2+ million |
| 10 | Darwin International (DRW) | Northern Territory | 2+ million |
SEE ALSO: List of Domestic Airports in Australia and their Locations
Transportation and Accessibility
Australia’s international airports are well connected to city centers by road, train, bus, and shuttle services. Sydney and Brisbane have dedicated airport train links, while Melbourne has SkyBus connections. Perth and Adelaide offer bus and shuttle services, and regional airports like Cairns and Hobart rely on taxis, shuttles, and car rentals.
Role of Australian Airports in Tourism, Immigration, and Education
Airports in Australia play a vital role in welcoming millions of international tourists annually, particularly from Asia, Europe, and North America. They are also critical entry points for international students, especially in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, which host some of the largest student populations in the world. Furthermore, airports like Perth and Darwin serve as important trade and business hubs, linking Australia to Asia-Pacific markets.
Airlines Operating in Australia
Australia’s major airlines include:
- Qantas Airways – The national carrier with global reach.
- Virgin Australia – A major competitor with international and domestic networks.
- Jetstar Airways – Low-cost subsidiary of Qantas, popular for regional and international travel.
- Regional Express (Rex) – Focuses on domestic and regional routes.
In addition, international carriers such as Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, and British Airways operate in Australian airports.
READ ALSO: List of Airlines in Australia: International and Domestic Airlines
Frequently Asked Questions – List of International Airports in Australia
1. How many international airports are in Australia?
Australia has more than 10 international airports, with Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth being the busiest hubs for global travel.
2. What is the busiest international airport in Australia?
Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) is the busiest, handling over 40 million passengers annually and serving as Qantas’ main hub.
3. Which international airports are in New South Wales?
New South Wales is served by Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) and Newcastle Airport (NTL), both handling domestic and international flights.
4. What are the main international airports in Victoria?
Victoria’s primary international airports are Melbourne Airport (MEL) and Avalon Airport (AVV), both connecting the state to global destinations.
5. Which airports serve Queensland for international travel?
Brisbane International (BNE), Cairns International (CNS), Gold Coast International (OOL), and Townsville International (TSV) connect Queensland to Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
6. Does Western Australia have an international airport?
Yes, Perth International Airport (PER) is the main gateway to Western Australia, linking the region to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
7. Which international airports are found in South Australia?
Adelaide International Airport (ADL) is the key international hub for South Australia.
8. Are there international airports in Northern Territory and Tasmania?
Yes, Darwin International Airport (DRW) serves the Northern Territory, while Hobart International Airport (HBA) in Tasmania connects to regional and limited international destinations.
9. What are the main airlines operating in Australian international airports?
Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar are major domestic carriers, while Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and British Airways are among the leading international airlines.
10. How are Australian international airports connected to city centers?
Airports are well-connected via trains, buses, and taxis. For instance, Sydney Airport is linked by the Airport Link Train, and Brisbane Airport has the Airtrain service.
SEE ALSO: Cheapest Cities in Australia for Students to Live and Study
Conclusion – List of International Airports in Australia
International Airports in Australia are vital not only for connecting the vast regions of the country but also for maintaining strong links with Asia, Europe, North America, and beyond. Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane lead as the busiest hubs, while Perth, Adelaide, and Cairns serve regional and international roles that support tourism, education, and economic growth. Together, these airports strengthen Australia’s position as a global travel destination and a center for business, migration, and cultural exchange.