Ages 16 to 75
Jump accident cover
Included in the price
- FromThe APF
- MedicalUp to AUD 50,000
- DetailsPDS on the APF site
Checklist you can tick
Can you skydive with contacts? The checklist before you jump
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Book a spotGlasses, contact lenses, medical conditions, disability, scuba diving, alcohol and insurance: the small questions that decide whether your jump day runs smoothly, answered from the operator's rules and official advice.
Editorial team, cairnsskydive.top · Updated November 8, 2026 · 7 min reading time
Summary view
- Contacts and glassesYes: goggles fit over both; tell your instructor about lenses.1
- Scuba divingNot within 24 hours of the jump.2
- AlcoholNone within 8 hours of the jump time.3
- DisabilityA doctor's certificate and the chief instructor's assessment.4
- InsurancePersonal accident cover is included for ages 16 to 75.5
Glasses and contact lenses
Can you skydive with contacts? Yes. Skydive Australia says it has goggles that fit over glasses or contact lenses, so you can keep your eyesight for the view, and it asks that you mention lenses to your instructor.1 That small word at check-in matters, because the instructor can then make sure the goggles sit snugly before the door opens. Bring your lens case and a spare pair in your bag in case one dries out in the wind.
Glasses work too, with a little care. The goggles go over the frames, but the operator's terms say it takes no responsibility for personal belongings lost during a skydive, glasses and clothing included.1,6 If you have a sports strap or an older pair you would not mind losing, wear those. Leave expensive sunglasses on the ground: there is nothing to see through them at 200 km/h that the goggles do not show better.7
Camera glasses are a separate rule. Australian Parachute Federation rules reserve cameras for jumpers with more than 200 skydives in their logbook, and Skydive Australia says this includes glasses fitted with cameras.8 Its terms also keep all personal electronic devices off the aircraft.9 Your phone stays in your bag or with a friend on the ground until you land, and the photos come from the instructor's camera if you buy them.
Condition by condition
What to do about each question
| Question | Answer | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Contact lenses | Yes | Tell your instructor1 |
| Glasses | Yes, under goggles | Use a pair you can lose6 |
| Dislocated shoulder before | Usually yes | Mention it so freefall is adjusted17 |
| Epilepsy or heart condition | May rule you out | Ask before booking18 |
| Pregnancy | No | Wait until after the birth19 |
| Cold, flu or ear trouble | Caution | Consider moving the date20 |
| Disability | Often, after assessment | Doctor's certificate first4 |
From Skydive Australia's FAQ and terms; the chief instructor or safety officer has the final say on the day.21,22
Clothes, shoes and loose items
Dress for movement and for cold. Skydive Australia suggests relaxed, loose clothes and insists on closed shoes such as trainers; hiking boots and heels are out.13 At 15,000 ft the air bites, so for the cooler months it advises gloves and warm layers.14 Spare fleeces and gloves are also lent out at the drop zone, so nobody needs to pack winter clothes for a tropical holiday.15
Take out or take off anything that can come loose in the wind. The operator even suggests taking out dentures or false teeth along with any other loose item.16 Earrings, rings with stones, hair clips and anything in a pocket belong in your bag. Tie long hair back firmly before the harness goes on, and empty every pocket of your own clothes, since a coin or a lip balm that falls out at the door is gone for good.
Shoes deserve a second look. Sandals and thongs, the default footwear of Cairns, are exactly what the rule about enclosed shoes is there to stop, since the landing is the moment your feet work hardest.13 Pack a pair of trainers for the morning even if you plan to spend the afternoon at the Esplanade lagoon. If you forget, ask at the counter before your load is called, not at the plane.
Health, medication and the 24-hour rules
Tell the operator about your health before the jump date, not on the day. Skydive Australia's terms ask you to report any medical condition, injury or illness, old or new, ahead of the jump date.24 Conditions that could affect your safety should be discussed with a doctor, you may need to bring a medical certificate, and you should mention any prescription medication.22 Epilepsy and heart conditions may mean you cannot jump.18
Some conditions simply need a heads-up. An old shoulder dislocation need not stop you, the operator says, provided you mention it so your freefall position can be adjusted.17 Cold or flu symptoms, blocked sinuses or ear equalising problems on the day may lead to further complications during or after the jump, and the operator urges caution.20 Pregnancy is a firm no: the operator's policy keeps expectant mothers on the ground.19
The time rules are short and strict. Leave a full 24 hours between your last scuba dive and the jump time, because of the change in altitude and pressure.2 No alcohol or recreational drugs may be taken within 8 hours before the jump, and the operator can refuse anyone who seems intoxicated.3,25 In Cairns, where a reef dive and a skydive can easily land in the same week, put the jump first or leave a full day between them.
Your situation
Can I jump if...
Find your situation and what the rules say about it.
If I wear contact lenses
Yes, tell your instructor
The goggles fit over contact lenses and glasses alike.1
If I went diving yesterday
Wait until 24 hours have passed
No scuba diving within 24 hours of the jump time.2
If I use a wheelchair
Ask for an assessment
A doctor's certificate and the chief instructor's assessment decide it.4
If I have a cold today
Think about moving the date
Cold, flu or ear issues may cause further complications.20
If I am not sure my insurance covers it
Read the wording first
Insurers exclude many activities from standard policies.23
Three kinds of cover
What each kind of insurance does
Check the wording
Travel insurance
Your own policy
- SkydivingOften excluded
- FixPay for extra cover
- Must doDeclare conditions
Ask your insurer
Life insurance
Your own policy
- Look forActivity exclusions
- AskIn writing
- WhenBefore you book
Can you skydive with a disability?
Can you skydive with a disability? Often yes, and Skydive Australia says it wants skydiving to be open to nearly everyone, people with disabilities included.29 It uses experienced instructors and specialised equipment designed to accommodate different needs.30 The route in is a conversation, not a form: each case is different, and the operator wants to hear about yours early, well before you pay.
The steps are clear. Each disability is assessed on its own, so you need a medical certificate from your doctor stating that it is safe for you to skydive.4 The chief instructor then assesses you before the jump, and the final decision rests with them.21 You can be assessed before the day, but the operator asks you to call first to check that someone who can do the assessment will be in the office.26
Plan for a longer conversation and a flexible date. If the assessment raises a question, a second visit or a different day may be needed, so book your jump early in your stay. Tourism Australia notes that Cairns Airport offers special assistance for visible and hidden disabilities, which helps on the travel day itself.31 Ask the operator about transfers too, since the bus and the walk to the aircraft vary by location.32
Countdown
The rules on the clock
24 hours before
No scuba diving
Altitude and pressure changes rule it out.2
24 hours before
Last free cancel
Free cancellation runs up to this point on the listing.
The day before
Check your phone
A text confirms any time changes.10
8 hours before
No alcohol
No alcohol or recreational drugs from here.3
On arrival
ID and weigh-in
Does life insurance cover skydiving?
Does life insurance cover skydiving? It depends entirely on your policy, and there is no general answer. Smartraveller, run by the Australian Government, warns that standard policies leave out many activities and that you may have to pay more to be covered for what you plan to do.23 Its advice for travel cover is to check the insurer's definitions for activities and to read the policy fine print.27
The tandem itself includes some cover. Skydive Australia's location pages list compulsory personal accident insurance from the Australian Parachute Federation in the price, and its terms say this applies to customers aged 16 to 75, with the product disclosure statement on the APF website.33,5 Its FAQ says that cover reaches up to AUD 50,000 in medical costs.34 That is accident cover for the jump, not life cover and not general travel insurance.
For travel insurance, Smartraveller says extra cover is often needed for activities such as bungee jumping and scuba diving, and that every pre-existing health condition has to be declared to the insurer.35,36 It also says to always read the Product Disclosure Statement before you buy.37 For life insurance, the same habits apply: look for a hazardous-activity clause in your own policy wording, and ask your insurer in writing if it is unclear.
Video
What to know before your first skydive
Exploring with Courtney on YouTube · Nothing is fetched until you hit play.
Insurers exclude a lot of activities from their standard policies. Even common activities, like going on a cruise or skiing.
Age, weight and the paperwork
Australian law sets 16 as the youngest age for a tandem, and jumpers under 18 must bring a parent or guardian along to sign on the day.38,39 The scales at check-in include what you wear, and a surcharge starts at 94 kg.40 Upper limits change with the drop zone and the day, topping out at 110 to 115 kg in most places.41 Our separate guide to weight and age limits covers all of that in more depth.
Paperwork is quicker online. Every jumper fills in an online check-in form first, which registers you in advance with the Australian Parachute Federation; without a signed APF form there is no jump.28 Bring a valid government-issued photo ID on the day.11 USPA's general advice applies anywhere: drop zones set their own weight, height, age and fitness rules, and you will usually be asked to disclose conditions that could affect the jump.42
Finally, check your own plans around the date. The listing sold here keeps your money safe until 24 hours before the start, since a cancellation up to then is refunded in full, which makes the day before the last moment to change your mind cheaply. If anything on this checklist is uncertain for you, from a cold to a lens question, sort it out by phone before that point rather than at the counter on the morning, when the queue behind you is waiting.
FAQ
The short answers to your questions.
Can I wear contact lenses during a skydive?
Yes.
The goggles go over lenses and frames alike; just mention the lenses to your instructor.1
Can I wear my glasses?
Can I skydive after scuba diving?
Not within 24 hours.
Leave 24 hours between your last scuba dive and the scheduled jump time.2
Can I drink alcohol before a jump?
Not within 8 hours.
No alcohol or recreational drugs within 8 hours before the jump time.3
Can I skydive with a disability?
Is insurance included in the price?
Personal accident cover is.
APF personal accident insurance is included for customers aged 16 to 75.5
Does travel insurance cover a skydive?
Check your policy.
Insurers exclude many activities from standard policies; you may need to pay extra.23
Can I skydive if I am pregnant?
No.
The operator's policy keeps anyone expecting a baby on the ground.19
Sources
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Tandem Skydiving FAQ ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Tandem Skydiving FAQ ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Terms & Conditions ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Tandem Skydiving FAQ ↩
- Skydive Australia · Terms and Conditions ↩
- Skydive Australia · Terms and Conditions ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · What to Expect on Your First Skydive ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Tandem Skydiving FAQ ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Terms & Conditions ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Tandem Skydiving FAQ ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Terms & Conditions ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · What to Expect on Your First Skydive ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Tandem Skydiving FAQ ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Tandem Skydiving FAQ ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · What to Expect on Your First Skydive ↩
- Skydive Australia · Tandem Skydive FAQs ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Tandem Skydiving FAQ ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Tandem Skydiving FAQ ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Tandem Skydiving FAQ ↩
- Skydive Australia · Terms and Conditions ↩
- Skydive Australia · Tandem Skydive FAQs ↩
- Skydive Australia · Terms and Conditions ↩
- Smartraveller (Australian Government) · Travel insurance ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Terms & Conditions ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Terms & Conditions ↩
- Skydive Australia · Tandem Skydive FAQs ↩
- Smartraveller (Australian Government) · Travel insurance ↩
- Skydive Australia · Terms and Conditions ↩
- Skydive Australia · Accessible Skydiving ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Accessible Skydiving ↩
- Tourism Australia · Guide to Cairns ↩
- Skydive Australia · Your First Tandem Skydive ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Skydive Cairns ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Tandem Skydiving FAQ ↩
- Smartraveller (Australian Government) · Travel insurance ↩
- Smartraveller (Australian Government) · Travel insurance ↩
- Smartraveller (Australian Government) · Travel insurance ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Tandem Skydiving FAQ ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Tandem Skydiving FAQ ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Tandem Skydiving FAQ ↩
- Skydive Australia (operator official site) · Terms & Conditions ↩
- United States Parachute Association · Tandem and first jump FAQs ↩
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