Terminal 4 - Domestic (Budget airlines)

Opened in August 2015, T4 sits directly beside T3

Terminal 4 is Melbourne Airport’s budget domestic terminal, used by Jetstar, Tigerair Australia (where applicable), and Rex Airlines. It opened in August 2015 and sits right next to T3 on the same departures level, so walking between T3 and T4 takes about 3–5 minutes inside the terminal building. All departures here are domestic, so there’s no passport control, just standard security screening before you reach the main departures concourse.

Layout and getting through security

Security for T4 sits on the upper level, with a single main checkpoint feeding into the departures hall and gates. Lines vary by time of day, but aim for at least 60 minutes before a flight during morning peaks from 6:00–9:00. Gates sit in a single concourse layout, so you’re rarely more than a 5–7 minute walk from the center of the terminal food court area to the farthest gate.

Food options: from fast food to a micro brewery

On the departures side after security, the main food options in T4 include McDonald’s, Subway, Hanna’s Cafe, Roll’d, Chatime, and Brownstone Micro Brewery. McDonald’s handles the early rush with coffee and basic breakfast from around 4:00–5:00, while Subway and Roll’d usually come alive closer to mid-morning and lunch. Chatime is the spot for bubble tea with custom sugar and ice levels, and Brownstone Micro Brewery is the only sit-down bar-style venue in this terminal serving beers, wine, and pub-style plates.

What to order vs skip

At Hanna’s Cafe near the central seating area, you get standard cabinet pastries, sandwiches, and espresso-style coffee; it works if the McCafe line is pushing 15 minutes. Roll’d is the better bet for something that feels less heavy than burgers or subs; rice paper rolls and pho are usually served within 5–10 minutes even in a rush. Brownstone Micro Brewery is the pick if you have more than 45 minutes and want a proper plate with a drink; pricing on mains typically sits higher than the food court, but you trade that for table service and power outlets at some seats.

Shops and last-minute tech

The retail mix in T4 is smaller than T1–T3 but covers basics with Relay, JB Hi-Fi, and a Lego Store in the departures hall. Relay sells magazines, snacks, and bottled drinks, which is where you stock up if you skipped the supermarkets landside. JB Hi-Fi is the go-to for last-minute cables, power banks, and headphones; you’ll pay airport pricing, but it beats boarding with a flat phone. The Lego Store has full boxed sets plus smaller impulse kits that work well as sub-$30 gifts.

Lounges: Rex Lounge only

Rex passengers get access to the Rex Lounge in Terminal 4, which sits airside near the Rex gates. Access usually comes with certain Rex fares or paid membership, and the lounge offers standard inclusions like Wi‑Fi, basic snacks, and drinks. If you’re flying Jetstar or Tigerair, there’s no airline-run lounge in T4, so your best “upgrade” is grabbing a seat near Brownstone with a power outlet and settling in with a drink before boarding.

Transfers and one last tip

Walking time from the SkyBus drop-off at the MEL forecourt to T4 check-in is roughly 5–10 minutes, depending on crowds and luggage. If you’re connecting between T4 and another MEL terminal, remember the codes: T1 (Qantas domestic), T2 (international), T3 (Virgin Australia domestic), and T4 (budget domestic). The simple move: build a 90-minute buffer between T4 and any other terminal so you’re not sprinting past Brownstone with a full coffee when boarding starts.