Quick answer: The common carry-on size limit on Australian airlines is 56 x 36 x 23cm, but weight limits differ. Qantas allows 14kg on domestic Economy (no item over 10kg) and 7kg on international Economy. Virgin Australia Economy allows 8kg plus a personal item. Jetstar Starter fares allow 7kg across two items until 2 February 2027. Rex regional flights allow 7kg.
Carry-on rules are one of those things everyone thinks they know until they're standing at the gate with a bag that's 2kg over. Every Australian airline sets its carry-on size and weight limits a little differently, and the rules have been changing.
Here's every major domestic airline's carry-on allowance in one place, taken straight from the airlines' own pages. Last checked: 15 October 2026.
In this guide
The quick table
| Airline (Economy) | Main bag max size | Weight | Extra item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas domestic | 56 x 36 x 23cm overhead; 34 x 48 x 23cm underseat | 14kg total, max 10kg per item | 1 personal item |
| Qantas international | 56 x 36 x 23cm | 7kg | 1 personal item |
| Virgin Australia | 56 x 36 x 23cm | 8kg | Personal item up to 45 x 33 x 20cm |
| Jetstar (before 2 Feb 2027) | 56 x 36 x 23cm | 7kg across 2 items | 1 small item (in the 7kg) |
| Rex (regional) | 48 x 34 x 23cm; total linear 105cm or less | 7kg | Listed personal items |
Qantas
Qantas measures a bag's height, width and depth including wheels and handles. An overhead bag can be up to 56 x 36 x 23cm and an underseat bag up to 34 x 48 x 23cm.
- Domestic Economy and Business: one overhead bag, one underseat bag and one personal item, up to 14kg total with a maximum of 10kg per item.
- QantasLink Dash 8 (Q400): one overhead bag and one personal item, 7kg maximum. Small wheelie bags don't fit overhead on these and are collected at boarding.
- International Economy: one overhead bag and one personal item, 7kg maximum.
A laptop counts as a personal item only in a slim bag; a large laptop bag counts towards your carry-on. Source: Qantas carry-on baggage.
Virgin Australia
Virgin's carry-on page currently lists, for Economy (including Velocity Red and Silver): one carry-on option for the overhead locker, up to 8kg total, plus one personal item. The standard bag can be up to 56 x 36 x 23cm and the personal item up to 45 x 33 x 20cm.
Business, Economy X and Velocity Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus can bring up to 14kg combined, with no single item over 8kg (for example two small bags up to 48 x 34 x 23cm).
Source: Virgin Australia carry-on baggage.
Jetstar
For flights before 2 February 2027, Starter fares include two items with a combined 7kg: a main item up to 56 x 36 x 23cm and a small item under the seat. You can buy +7kg to take it to 14kg on selected routes, with no single bag over 10kg.
From 2 February 2027 Jetstar Airways changes to an included underseat bag (40 x 30 x 20cm) plus optional Priority Carry-on for the overhead locker. We've explained it in full in Jetstar's new carry-on rules for 2027. Source: Jetstar carry-on baggage.
Rex
Rex's Conditions of Carriage set carry-on at 7kg for all passengers on regional routes, with total linear dimensions (height + width + depth) of no more than 105cm. Bags on regional flights must not exceed 23cm deep, 34cm high and 48cm long. A list of personal items (handbag, laptop, coat, umbrella, small camera) can be carried within the allowance.
Source: Rex Conditions of Carriage.
Connecting flights: pack to the lowest allowance
If your trip mixes airlines or aircraft (say, a Qantas jet to Sydney then a Dash 8 to a regional town), Qantas advises packing to the lowest allowance on the journey. In practice, a 7kg bag within 56 x 36 x 23cm works on most jet services. Rex regional flights and QantasLink Dash 8 aircraft are tighter, so pack smaller for those.
Choosing a bag that fits every airline
Look for a case with listed external dimensions (wheels included) within 56 x 36 x 23cm, and a low empty weight so the 7–8kg limits leave room for your things. Browse our carry-on luggage, or read our best carry-on luggage guide.
Key takeaway: 56 x 36 x 23cm is the size to buy. Weight is where the airlines differ, so weigh before you fly.
"Buy for the size limit, pack for the weight limit."
Our picks
Fits the common 56 x 36 x 23cm limit: the Victorinox Airox Frequent Flyer (2.3kg empty) and the Thule Aion Carry-On Spinner (3.25kg), both 55 x 35 x 23cm. Personal item: the Nomatic Navigator Lite Sling 6L (about 33 x 22 x 8cm). Weigh before you go: Wenger Mini Digital Luggage Scale.
Cabin bags that fit 56 x 36 x 23cm
Both cases are listed at 55 x 35 x 23cm, inside the common Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar overhead limit. The Airox is the lighter of the two, which helps on 7kg and 8kg fares.
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Shop Now →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Qantas carry-on size limit?
An overhead bag up to 56 x 36 x 23cm and an underseat bag up to 34 x 48 x 23cm, measured including wheels and handles.
How much carry-on weight does Virgin Australia allow?
Economy guests can bring one overhead bag up to 8kg total plus a personal item. Business, Economy X and Velocity Gold and above get up to 14kg combined, with no single item over 8kg.
Is Qantas carry-on 7kg or 14kg?
Domestic Economy and Business allow 14kg (max 10kg per item). International Economy and QantasLink Dash 8 flights allow 7kg.
Does a laptop bag count as carry-on?
On Qantas, a laptop in a slim bag counts as your personal item, but a large laptop bag counts towards your carry-on allowance.
I'm connecting between airlines. Which rule applies?
Qantas advises packing to the lowest allowance on your whole journey.
Checking a bag as well? See our checked luggage rules for Australian airlines.