Max weight for skydiving in Cairns, and how old you must be

Your weight and your age decide whether you can book a tandem jump here. Skydive Australia, the operator named in this site's listing, weighs every customer at check-in and charges a surcharge from 94 kg.¹ Its terms say that at most of its drop zones the maximum is 110 to 115 kg, and that the cut-off varies by drop zone and by day.² On the listing itself, anyone above 95 kilograms needs the Safety Officer to sign off before jumping.

For age the rule is national. The operator states that by law the minimum age for a tandem skydive in Australia is 16, and that a jumper under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian with them at the drop zone on the day, to sign the consent and check-in forms.^3,4 There is no way around that with an emailed letter, so plan the jump for a day when the parent is actually there.

The rest of this page explains why the rules exist, what the Cairns skydive weight limit means in practice, how the surcharge bands work and what happens if you arrive heavier than you booked. It also covers older jumpers and medical conditions, because the operator asks about those before it asks about anything else.⁵

The weigh-in is the first thing that happens at check-in, and the operator describes it as a quick weight check that helps match you with your instructor and equipment.⁷ Its FAQ says the figure that counts includes clothing and shoes.¹ Every customer is also assessed by a Tandem Master or a Drop Zone Safety Officer, because of harness size, weather conditions and safety.²⁰

The surcharge comes in bands, payable at the drop zone: AUD 55 from 94 to 104 kg, AUD 80 from 105 to 114 kg, and AUD 105 at 115 kg and over.^9,16,10,11 Above 105 kg the operator requires an additional assessment by its Safety Officer or a Tandem Master.⁸ The price page on this site shows how the surcharge changes the total bill.

Weather enters the weight question too. The operator lists weather conditions among the reasons for its weight assessment, and says that a jumper who exceeds the safe maximum, or whom the Safety Officer decides should not jump, may be refunded or rescheduled to a day with more suitable conditions.^20,21

The listings do not all word the rules the same way, so read the one you book. The jump on this site allows people over 95 kilograms subject to the Safety Officer's approval, and children under 18 with their parents' written consent. The second Cairns listing sets a minimum age of 16, surcharges from 95 kg and a maximum of 110 kg.

Both Mission Beach listings ask you to tell the supplier if you are under 18, over 94 kilograms or have any medical condition. They do not print a maximum weight, so the operator terms apply: a cut-off of 110 to 115 kg at most drop zones, varying by day.² Behind all of them sits one system of rules: in Australia most parachuting is regulated through the Australian Parachute Federation.³¹

One more personal choice is open to you. The operator says that guests who prefer or need a female instructor, for personal, cultural or religious reasons, can ask for one at booking, and that it will do its best to accommodate them where possible.³² Like the heavier-jumper instructors, that depends on who is working that day, so ask early.