Qantas Grooming Standards in 2026: What's Changed and What Hasn't

I get a lot of questions about Qantas grooming standards. Most of them are based on outdated information passed around in forums and Facebook groups. Some of it dates back five or ten years and no longer reflects what Qantas actually requires.

In June 2023, Qantas made its most significant update to cabin crew style and grooming guidelines in decades. The changes were real and meaningful, particularly for candidates who had been nervous about whether they would fit the airline's image. But a lot of what candidates assume changed actually did not, and that is causing confusion at assessment days.

Here is the plain, accurate picture of where Qantas grooming standards stand right now, in 2026.

What Actually Changed in 2023

The most significant shift was the removal of gender-based uniform categories. Qantas scrapped the separate "male" and "female" uniform designations and replaced them with uniform "capsules," which describe the items available without assigning them to a specific gender. Any crew member can choose any item from the uniform range, regardless of gender.

That sounds progressive, and it is, but for most candidates preparing for an application the practical impact is more straightforward than the headline suggests. What it means is that the airline has moved away from prescribing which specific combination of items each person must wear based on how they identify. The options are there. You choose what fits your presentation and the airline's overall standard.

Flat shoes are now permitted for all crew, regardless of gender. Previously, female cabin crew on long-haul routes were expected to wear heels. That requirement has been removed. This was one of the most requested changes from existing crew and it makes the physical demands of the role considerably more manageable on long flights.

Long hair in a low ponytail or neat bun is now permitted for all crew. Previously, the expectation for male crew was short, tidy hair. That specific requirement is gone. What remains is the expectation that hair is clean, well-presented, and does not fall across the face during service or safety demonstrations.

Makeup is now optional for all crew, regardless of gender. Male cabin crew who want to wear foundation or concealer can do so. Female cabin crew who prefer not to wear makeup are no longer required to. This was another change that came directly from crew feedback. The updated standard is that makeup, if worn, should look natural and professional.

Jewellery options are the same for all crew. Diamond stud earrings, a watch, and a simple ring are permitted regardless of gender. The previous distinction between what male and female crew could wear has been removed.

What Has Not Changed

Here is the part that trips candidates up.

The uniform itself has not changed. The actual garments, the blazer, the shirt or blouse, the trousers or skirt, the scarf, are the same Qantas uniform that has been in place for years. The 2023 update changed how the uniform is worn and who can wear what, not the items themselves.

Tattoos must still be fully covered while in uniform. This is the most common question I receive, and the answer has not changed. No visible tattoos in uniform. The 2023 update was explicit on this point. Makeup, bandaging, or any other method of covering a tattoo is not acceptable. The tattoo must be genuinely covered by the uniform itself. I have a full post on the tattoo policy across Australian airlines if you need the detail on this.

Professional presentation is still the standard. The update modernised the rules and made them more inclusive, but it did not lower the bar for presentation. Qantas cabin crew are brand ambassadors for one of the world's most recognisable airlines. The expectation is that you look polished, clean, and professional every time you are in uniform.

Hosiery is still required when wearing a skirt or dress. This applies across the uniform range and has not been removed.

Natural nail polish or clean bare nails is the standard. The update removed some of the specific colour restrictions but the expectation remains that nails are neat, clean, and conservative in appearance. Long sculptured nails in bright or unusual colours are not consistent with the professional standard Qantas requires.

What This Means If You Are Applying Right Now

If you are preparing for a Qantas assessment day, here is the practical takeaway.

You do not need to follow the old gender-specific rules when you present yourself. If you are a man who wants to wear a modest amount of concealer for the interview day, that is now within bounds for Qantas. If you are a woman who prefers not to wear makeup, that is also fine. The standard is professional appearance, not a specific prescribed look.

What you do need to do is look unambiguously like someone who belongs in a Qantas uniform. That means clean, neat, well-fitted clothing. Hair off your face and professionally styled. Grooming that is consistent with a premium airline brand. No distracting accessories, bold colours, or presentation choices that pull focus from the overall professional impression.

Think about it this way. If you walked onto a Qantas A380 tomorrow, would the passengers think you looked like part of the crew? That is the standard you are aiming for when you walk into the assessment centre.

What About Emirates and Virgin Australia?

Emirates has not made the same kind of modernisation to its grooming standards. Their requirements remain among the strictest in the industry, with specific guidelines around makeup application, hair styling, and presentation that are consistent with their premium, uniform-focused brand. If Emirates is your target airline, the standards there are still prescriptive and detailed. I cover this specifically in my Interview Preparation Manual.

Virgin Australia updated its uniform in 2023 as well, introducing a more relaxed colour palette and a broader range of style options for crew. Their grooming standards are professional but somewhat less formal than Qantas, which is consistent with Virgin's more personality-driven culture. The same core principles apply: clean, neat, professional, no visible tattoos in uniform.

Preparing for Your Qantas Assessment Day

The grooming update does not change the fundamental preparation required for a Qantas recruitment day. What has changed is that you have a bit more flexibility in how you present yourself within that professional standard, and you are not being assessed against an outdated binary template.

Arrive at your assessment day looking as though you already belong in a Qantas uniform. Keep your presentation clean and conservative. Choose clothing in neutral tones that fits you well. Ensure your hair is styled neatly and off your face. If you wear makeup, keep it natural and professional. Leave the bold accessories at home.

The grooming assessment is not the hard part of a Qantas recruitment day. The group exercise, the individual interview, and demonstrating the behavioural qualities Qantas values are where candidates succeed or fall short. Do not let grooming anxiety distract you from the preparation that actually moves the needle.

If you want to go into your Qantas application knowing exactly what to expect at every stage, from the online application through to the assessment day and beyond, my Interview Preparation Manual covers the full Qantas process in detail. And if you want to work through your interview preparation with someone who has been coaching aviation candidates for over 20 years, my one-on-one coaching sessions are available face-to-face or 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.