A Travel Consent Form is used when a child is traveling alone, with only one parent/legal guardian, or with an authorised group. This document notifies authorities or other interested parties that a parent or legal guardian has given their consent for the child to travel without them. This document can be used both for domestic travel inside Australia or international travel across country borders. Because of concerns about child abduction in custody cases, trafficking or other abduction, an immigration officer, airline, or travel company may ask parents to provide some form of letter of consent if a minor child is traveling internationally with only one parent or with another adult, such as a teacher, group trip leader, or grandparent.
No, it is not always mandatory to have a Travel Consent Form. However, depending on nature of travel (whether it is international or domestic), as well as the policies of the airline or travel company, a Travel Consent Form may be required.
Even if it is not required by law, immigration officers, law enforcement officers, or customs and border protection agents may detain a child if they suspect an abduction or kidnapping has taken place. By traveling with a Travel Consent Form, these officers will have necessary contact information and further assurance that no abduction or kidnapping has taken place.
A legal guardian in Australia is an adult who takes care of a child under the age of 18 if the family court has made guardianship orders.
A person who has legal authority for the child should sign the Travel Consent Form. This is usually a biological or adoptive parent but could also be a legal guardian.
A Travel Consent Form is generally used for only one trip.
Once the Travel Consent Form is ready, any parents giving their consent should sign and date it and have their signature witnessed.
Each relevant child should carry a copy of the finished and signed form with them throughout their trip. Any adults that are accompanying them on their trip (such as teachers or family friends) should also be given a copy of the form to carry throughout the trip.
The following documents may be attached to the Travel Consent Form:
A Travel Consent Form does not necessarily need to be notarised for it to be valid. But some countries do require them to be notarised, and some airlines or travel companies may also have policies that require them to be notarised. Therefore, parents should also strongly consider having the document notarised which can mean that customs or border protection officers (particularly in other countries) are more likely to accept it.
It is a good idea to have a witness sign the Travel Consent Form, as this is required by some countries, airlines, and travel companies. Witnesses should be independent adults (aged over 18), who have the mental capacity to understand what they are doing. They should not be related to the parent or the child.
A Travel Consent Form should include:
Although not required by law, immigration officers, law enforcement officers, or customs and border protection agents may detain a child if they suspect an abduction or kidnapping has taken place. By traveling with a Travel Consent Form, these officers will have necessary contact information and further assurance that no abduction or kidnapping has taken place.
In circumstances where parenting orders have been made by a Family Court, parents or guardians will need to make sure they comply with those parenting orders. The Family Law Act 1975 may be relevant in these circumstances. Further information is available from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
In the case of international travel, when there are concerns that a child may have been wrongfully removed from or retained outside their country of habitual residence, the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction may apply.
For international travel, parents and guardians will also need to be mindful of the entry requirements of any relevant foreign countries. This information can be obtained by contacting the embassy, high commission, or consulate of those foreign countries.
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Travel Consent Form - sample template - Word and PDF