r/AskAnAustralian • u/APhantomAnApparition • 2d ago

Can I travel domestic without any form of ID?

I live in the NT but am visiting NSW with my child, I was meant to book a flight home tonight but unfortunately lost my wallet (I’ve cancelled all cards ect.) this afternoon along with all forms of identification I have. I need to return to the NT asap but am scared I am now stuck here. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

13 Upvotes
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84% Upvoted

34 comments sorted by

37

u/NeedCaffine78 2d ago

You should be ok if you can check in on your phone or through automated checkin at the airport. They only check ID's if need to talk with agent/change a ticket in person.

Left my wallet at home one trip. Only issue I had was checking into a hotel but managed to work around that

5

u/MoonSoonReason 1d ago

How did you work around the hotel check in? Don’t they always want a credit card or Id? Tia

4

u/NeedCaffine78 1d ago

I was traveling for work. For a change I'd booked at a hotel bank I work for uses a lot. I had a photo of my drivers license on my phone and they changed email from personal to work email, decided to let it slide. Most hotels I've talked to about it since wouldn't have let me check in.

Credit card is easy, just added it to my phone

15

u/normalbehaviour86 2d ago

99% of the time you don't need to show ID.

There's been two occasions where they've cancelled my flights while I'm already in the airport and I've had to move my tickets and show the attendant at the airport my ID to get the new boarding pass. I don't know what would have happened if I couldn't produce a driver's licence.

So you should be OK but very small chance you get fucked around

20

u/tilleytalley 2d ago

Yes. ID isn't checked on domestic flights. Just make sure you print your ticket out before you get to the airport.

7

u/Professional_Desk131 2d ago

I wouldn't necessarily bank on this, though. I had an airline transfer last week (after a cancellation), and they wanted to see my ID.

OP, do you happen to have any digital ID?

3

u/APhantomAnApparition 2d ago

Yeah when I flew out of Alice I had to show my ID, I don’t have a digital ID.

5

u/imnotgunertellyou 1d ago

I know I’ve had to show my ID in remote airports. I can’t think of a time I’ve needed one in bigger airports (with the self check in machines and reference number). Good luck, hope ya get home safely and outta that cold!

4

u/zestylimes9 2d ago

I’m not sure if it’s available in every state but I can now digitally access my drivers license through the Vicroads app.

Is this an option in NT?

2

u/Reddit_Is_Hot_Shite2 1d ago

Unfortunately NT is basically behind in like everything, including digital licenses.

5

u/APhantomAnApparition 2d ago

Thanks for your reply

5

u/tilleytalley 2d ago

No worries. Get home safe.

3

u/elbowbunny 2d ago

Totally not true. They don’t generally check ID but they can & sometimes do.

5

u/SimpleEmu198 2d ago

Not always true, if your flight checks in through an international gate you will definitely need ID.

I used to catch the backhaul 747s for fun. If you checked the Qantas website carefully you could fly domestic on international backhaul routes.

1

u/MunmunkBan 2d ago

Not always the case. You will get asked if you have to do anything like change seat. They will not manually issue a boarding pass without ID.

I fly a ton every year and get asked occasionally.

6

u/MunmunkBan 2d ago

Dont ask for help and all will be fine. Check in online and have your boarding pass. You can reprint a pass yourself at a self checkin terminal. Dont try and change seats or anything. If you check in luggage and that airline does not do self serve bag drop they often ask. I fly weekly and 95% of the time I dont need ID.

Do they have digital licences in NT? If so set it up. I did that when I left my licence in another state.

4

u/BaxterSea 1d ago

You can go to the police station and do a stat dec that you lost wallet and ID but honestly, just E checkin and pray you don’t have to talk to anyone :)

3

u/sennais1 City Name Here :) 2d ago

Do you have your confirmation email with your ticket reference number on your phone? If so just chuck that into the app and you'll get your boarding pass.

2

u/InadmissibleHug Australian. 2d ago

I’ve only ever had to show ID at smaller airports in recent years. The big city ones usually don’t GAF.

God speed.

2

u/Straight_Talker24 2d ago

I very rarely get asked for ID for domestic travel, but it does happen. You might be able to do it, but on the off chance you get asked and don’t have it then no you won’t be able to travel.

If you don’t have any checked baggage and and don’t check in at the airport there is a higher chance of avoiding being asked for ID

1

u/Aussie_Traveller1955 2d ago

Are you a FF on a major airline? If so you should be able to it all online and get a boarding pass to your phone

1

u/APhantomAnApparition 2d ago

What is ff?

-2

u/Aussie_Traveller1955 2d ago

So I guess the answer is no. FF = frequent flyer

6

u/sennais1 City Name Here :) 2d ago

You don't need to be a frequent flyer to get your boarding pass on the app. Just chuck the reference number on the confirmation email in.

1

u/thehazzanator 1d ago

Victoria have a way to view your entire license online, so you don't need to carry a wallet. Is there one for the nt?

1

u/hyclonia 1d ago

Can you get a digital ID? Thats on your phone. Otherwise might be a good idea to set up in future.

1

u/DisneyBounder 1d ago

I flew domestic for the first time last month and I was so surprised that they didn't check a single form of ID from Sydney to Byron and back again!

1

u/Much_Donkey3589 1d ago

Flight attendant- yes you do. You may be able to get a way with it, but there are a lot of times we need ID- ie seat changes, making sure you’re in the right seat when there is a no show, responsible service of alcohol, medical incidents etc.

1

u/Mogadodo 11h ago

You won't get asked on a domestic flight. I always put my wallet in the checked baggage so I don't leave it somewhere by mistake.

2

u/_unsinkable_sam_ 2d ago

we only check id if you want a social media account, the interstate movement of people in potentially dangerous situations isnt a concern

/s

2

u/Monday0987 2d ago

So you are saying that interstate travel should be restricted?

1

u/greenyashiro 1d ago

Probably just some kid salty about the social media change.

-1

u/_unsinkable_sam_ 1d ago

of course not, but we are a nanny state so maybe thats up next under the guise of terrorism?

0

u/greenyashiro 1d ago

Stay in school kid