Yes, you can still bring a power bank on a domestic Australian flight in 2026, but the rules changed in December 2025. Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia now ban charging or using a power bank during the flight, cap the size at 160Wh (Virgin needs approval above 100Wh), limit you to two power banks per passenger, and require them to stay within reach in the cabin, never in checked luggage. Get the size wrong and it can be confiscated at the gate.
In this article
- What changed with power bank rules on Australian flights?
- How many power banks can you bring, and how big can they be?
- Where do you have to keep your power bank during the flight?
- Can you charge your phone or power bank mid-flight?
- How do you check if your power bank is actually compliant?
- What's the safest way to travel with your phone and accessories?
- FAQ
What changed with power bank rules on Australian flights?
Until late 2025, most Australians barely thought about their power bank at airport security. That changed after a lithium battery was suspected of overheating and causing a fire on a Virgin flight from Sydney to Hobart. Within weeks, Virgin Australia (from 1 December 2025) and Qantas, Jetstar and QantasLink (from 15 December 2025) all introduced new safety rules for power banks, with no exemptions across domestic and international services.
The concern is well founded. Lithium-ion batteries are flammable, and a damaged or overheating cell can reignite even after it appears to have been put out, which is exactly why crews want them visible and within reach rather than buried in an overhead locker or a checked bag.
Check the Wh rating on your power bank before you pack it, not at the gate.
How many power banks can you bring, and how big can they be?
Every major Australian carrier now caps you at two power banks per passenger, but the size limits differ slightly between airlines. Here's how they compare.
| Airline | Power banks per passenger | Allowed without approval | Above the limit | Checked luggage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas / QantasLink / Jetstar | 2 | Up to 160Wh | Not permitted on board | Not allowed, carry-on only |
| Virgin Australia | 2 | Up to 100Wh | 100 to 160Wh needs prior approval, over 160Wh is banned | Not allowed, carry-on only |
Most everyday phone power banks sit well under these caps. A typical 10,000mAh to 20,000mAh power bank works out to roughly 37 to 74Wh, comfortably inside every airline's limit without approval.
Works out to roughly 37Wh, comfortably under every Australian airline's limit, with enough capacity for a full day of travel.
Where do you have to keep your power bank during the flight?
Power banks are no longer allowed in checked baggage on any of the big three Australian carriers, full stop. They must travel in the cabin, and they need to stay somewhere the crew can reach quickly if something goes wrong.
- Qantas and Jetstar: seat pocket, under the seat in front of you, or the nearby overhead locker.
- Virgin Australia: stricter again, it must be easily accessible on your person, in a seat pocket or under the seat, not in the overhead locker at all.
If you're connecting between a Qantas and a Virgin flight, pack for the stricter rule and keep your power bank on you rather than in the overhead bin.
Can you charge your phone or power bank mid-flight?
No. Under the new rules, power banks cannot be used or recharged during the flight, and that includes plugging one into the seat's own USB or power outlet. If your seat has a built-in USB-C or power socket, you can plug your phone directly into that instead. What you can't do is run a cable from the aircraft's power point into your power bank, or from your power bank into your phone, while you're in the air.
The practical fix is to charge everything to 100% before you leave home or at the gate, and treat your power bank as a backup for the taxi rank, not the cabin.
Seat pocket or under the seat, not the overhead locker and not checked luggage.
How do you check if your power bank is actually compliant?
Most power banks list their capacity in milliamp-hours (mAh) on the label, not watt-hours (Wh), so you'll need a quick conversion. The formula is:
Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × voltage (usually 3.6V to 3.7V for lithium-ion cells)
So a 20,000mAh power bank at 3.7V works out to roughly 74Wh, well inside every airline's limit. A large 50,000mAh unit sold for camping or tradies can push past 180Wh and may not be allowed on board at all. If your power bank doesn't list a Wh figure, check the manufacturer's spec sheet or the box before you fly, not at the security line.
For everyday phone and tablet top-ups, sticking to a well-known, clearly labelled power bank in the 10,000 to 20,000mAh range avoids the guesswork entirely.
What's the safest way to travel with your phone and accessories?
A compliant power bank solves the "will security stop me" problem, but a few other habits make travel days smoother on your device itself.
Card-sized and well under the Wh limit, with a fold-out kickstand that's handy for a movie at the gate before you board, when the same in-flight charging rules don't apply.
Drops and knocks are more common on travel days than any other time. A tempered glass protector like this one (also available for iPhone) costs far less than a cracked screen repair.
If you're after a full breakdown of capacities and features, our 5 best power banks in Australia (2026) guide covers MagSafe, slim and high-capacity picks in more detail. It's also worth checking your phone's battery health before a big trip, especially if you're relying on it for boarding passes, maps and translation apps all day. If the battery is already degraded, a fully charged phone can still drop to single digits by mid-afternoon. Our guide on how to make your phone battery last longer covers the everyday habits that slow that decline down.
Our technicians come to you across Melbourne's Eastern Suburbs for on-site phone, tablet and MacBook repairs, including battery replacements, so you're not stuck at the airport with a device on its last legs.
Pack smart for your next flight
Shop travel-ready power banks and MagSafe accessories, or book an on-site battery check before you go.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I pack a power bank in checked luggage in Australia?
No. Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia all banned power banks from checked baggage as part of the December 2025 rule changes. They must travel with you in the cabin, within reach.
What happens if my power bank is over the airline's Wh limit?
It can be confiscated at security or the boarding gate, since airline and airport staff enforce these limits directly. Check the Wh rating before you pack, not on the day you fly.
Can I still use a MagSafe or Qi2 battery pack during the flight?
Wireless magnetic battery packs are still classed as power banks under these rules, so the same restrictions apply: no charging or use during the flight, carry-on only, and within the Wh limit for your airline. Top up before boarding instead.
Do these rules apply to international flights to and from Australia?
Qantas and Virgin have applied the new measures across their domestic and international services with no exemptions, but other international carriers may have their own policies. If you're flying on a codeshare or a connecting international carrier, check that airline's specific power bank rules as well.
How do I find the Wh rating on a power bank I already own?
Check the printed label on the unit itself or the original packaging, most list Wh directly. If only mAh is shown, use the conversion: Wh equals mAh divided by 1,000, multiplied by the voltage (usually 3.6V to 3.7V for lithium-ion cells).
Do laptop batteries follow the same power bank rules?
Built-in laptop batteries are treated differently to portable power banks and are generally fine to travel with as normal carry-on electronics. It's spare, removable lithium batteries, like power banks and camera battery packs, that fall under the new restrictions.
Sources: ABC News, "What to know about the Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar power bank ban" and the Qantas Newsroom media release. Rules can change, always check your airline's current policy before you fly.