Huge changes coming to Sydney Airport Domestic T2

Sydney Airport is embarking on the biggest overhaul to its T2 Domestic hub in more than 30 years, with a reworked layout, streamlined check-in and upgraded security expected to take passengers from kerb to airside in ‘less than 15 minutes’.

Earmarked for completion in late 2026, the staged project represents a $200 million investment in the terminal, which has long frustrated travellers with snaking check-in queues and extended wait times at security.

In welcome news, those security checkpoints – as well as those at the international terminal – are first in line for the upgrade, with new ‘Standard 3’ scanners rolling out across seven processing lanes by the end of 2025.

These will allow travellers to sail through security with laptops and liquids remaining in their carry-on, alongside dedicated lanes for family and assistance plus two new lifts that will make it easier to access the food court and departure gates.

The reoriented security area at Sydney Airport T2.

These time-saving scanners are already found at numerous airports across the country, including Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, the Gold Coast and even the Sydney Qantas T3 terminal just across the way.

Additional self-service kiosks and bag drop facilities are also on the cards, with the airport anticipating 95 per cent of passengers will reach airside in less than 15 minutes, once the upgrade is complete. 

Given T2 welcomes 17 million passengers a year, it’s an ambitious target, but could be achievable, with each lane able to process double the current passenger average.

For comparison, here's what T2 currently looks like.

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton is beaming about the airport’s new vision, believing “will make the T2 experience one of the fastest and most efficient in Australia”.

“While we understand that the upgrade works may cause temporary disruption, we want to thank passengers and our airline partners for their patience and understanding during this important transformation,” Charlton adds. 

These latest upgrades build on a series of changes over the last 12 months at T2, including new food, drink and retail offerings, along with the Duty Free-like department store straddling either side of the walkway leading to gate 31 and above.