Flight Attendant Grooming Standards in Australia: What Airlines Actually Require

Grooming standards are one of the most misunderstood parts of the cabin crew application process. Candidates either dismiss them entirely or tie themselves in knots trying to figure out what a "professional appearance" actually means in practice.

Let me be specific. After 45 years in aviation and a decade coaching candidates through Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Emirates applications, I have seen the same avoidable mistakes come up time and again. Visible tattoos. Nail polish that chips. Hair that does not hold through a twelve-hour flight. Small things that send the wrong signal before you have said a word.

This is not about vanity. Airlines present a consistent brand image to passengers, and cabin crew are the face of that brand. Grooming standards exist for that reason. Understanding what each airline actually requires will save you from unnecessary anxiety and, more importantly, from arriving at an assessment day not quite right.

Qantas: What Changed in 2023

Qantas updated its grooming policy significantly in 2023, and the changes are worth understanding properly. The old system had separate male and female uniform categories with highly prescriptive rules: specific watch sizes by gender, detailed eyeliner colour guidance, the works. That system is gone.

The new approach uses uniform "capsules," which are sets of pieces that can be worn together. Within those capsules, crew choose combinations that suit them. Makeup is now optional for all staff, not mandatory for women. Men can grow their hair out. Women can wear flat shoes with dresses. Jewelry rules are the same regardless of gender. Cornrows and natural hair textures are explicitly accommodated in the guidelines.

Here is what has not changed: tattoos must still be concealed at Qantas. If a tattoo would be visible in uniform, you will need to cover it with makeup or clothing during flights and during the application process. That requirement stands.

For the assessment day, conservative is still the right approach. The new policy gives existing crew more flexibility, but candidates are being evaluated from the moment they walk through the door. A polished, well-presented appearance signals that you understand the role. That matters.

Virgin Australia: Practical and Consistent

Virgin Australia's grooming standards are less prescriptive than Qantas's were historically, but they are not relaxed. The expectation is a professional, consistent appearance that reflects well on the airline brand.

Hair should be neat and off the face during service. Longer hair worn up is the standard expectation. Nails should be clean and well-maintained. Makeup, where worn, should be appropriate for a customer-facing role. The general principle is that nothing should be distracting to passengers or inconsistent with the uniform.

Tattoos are expected to be covered if visible in uniform. Virgin Australia's website does not publish a detailed grooming guide for applicants, but candidates I have worked with have been asked about tattoos at assessment days, so treat this seriously.

The Virgin assessment day is a full day. You will be presenting yourself across multiple activities, group exercises, and one-on-one components. The way you look at 9am should look the same at 4pm. Think through your hair, clothing, and makeup for staying power, not just first impressions.

Emirates: The Most Specific Requirements

Emirates has the most detailed and publicly available grooming requirements of the three, and they apply from the moment you attend an open day.

The minimums are clear: you must be at least 160cm tall and able to reach 212cm on tiptoes (this is tested). No tattoos visible in the Emirates cabin crew uniform. No visible piercings other than one stud per ear for women. Hair must be worn up in a neat bun for the assessment, consistent with the cabin crew look.

Emirates candidates are photographed at the open day. The photos go on file. What you wear and how you look at the open day is taken seriously. The airline's cabin crew presentation is internationally recognised, and they are selecting people who fit that image from the first contact.

Makeup for the Emirates open day should be polished and complete. Foundation, defined brows, mascara, and a clear lip are the baseline. The Emirates look is more formal than domestic Australian standards. If you are not sure what that means in practice, look at Emirates cabin crew photos on their careers page and use that as your reference.

The Tattoo Question

I get asked about tattoos more than almost anything else. So here is the short answer: every major Australian airline and the international carriers recruiting here require tattoos to be concealed in uniform. That means covered by clothing or makeup.

Tattoos on the hands, neck, or face are the most problematic because they cannot be reliably concealed. A small tattoo on the ankle or wrist might be covered by the uniform itself, or with makeup on a bare arm. But if you have extensive visible ink, understand that this is a genuine barrier at most airlines and plan accordingly.

Rex and Airnorth, as regional carriers, do not publish detailed tattoo policies, but the same conservative standard applies in practice. No recruiter at any airline wants to have a conversation about tattoos with a candidate at the assessment day. Make sure that conversation never needs to happen.

What to Wear to Your Assessment Day

This is practical advice based on what actually works. A business professional outfit in a neutral colour: navy, black, or charcoal. A blazer or structured jacket. Closed-toe shoes that are clean and in good condition. Hair pulled back from the face. Nails neat, one colour, no chips.

Avoid anything that could be distracting: very large jewelry, strong fragrance, bold patterns, or clothing that shifts around during activities. You want the assessors focused on you, not on managing something that looks out of place.

For height and reach tests, wear shoes that add a little height if you are close to the minimum requirements. Most airlines allow heels at the assessment day and this is the one situation where I would encourage it if you need the extra centimetres.

The Bigger Picture

Grooming standards can feel like an arbitrary hurdle, especially if you are new to the industry. But understanding them before your assessment day is simply preparation. You would not walk into a Qantas interview without knowing what the airline flies. Knowing how the airline expects its crew to present is the same category of basic research.

Want a complete breakdown of the assessment process from application to offer? The Interview Preparation Manual covers grooming, presentation, behavioural questions, group activities, and every stage of the assessment day in detail.

If you would like to work through your specific situation, including questions about tattoos, appearance requirements, or how to present yourself for a particular airline, one-on-one coaching is available via Teams from anywhere in Australia.

Denise Burns has worked in aviation for over 45 years and has coached hundreds of candidates into cabin crew roles at Qantas, Virgin Australia, Emirates, and other airlines. She runs ReachFTS, a specialist flight attendant training and coaching service based in Australia.