Packing light is a fine science and when you’re travelling with carry-on luggage only, it’s especially important to get the equations right.

You're permitted to bring a total of14 kilograms with you on board every Qantas domestic flight (excluding Dash 8 services) with one carry-on bag weighing up to 10 kilograms. This allowance applies to one suitcase (56 centimeters long x 36 centimetres wide x 23 centimetres deep), one smaller suitcase and a garment bag or two smaller bags on domestic flights.

With a little prior planning – and the right info – a 10 kilogram suitcase can certainly accommodate your essentials (and then some). These tips will help you pack with an efficiency that would make Marie Kondo proud.

Image credit: Rimowa

Invest in a lightweight suitcase

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The easiest way to keep the kilos down? Invest in a lightweight suitcase. Some travel bags can tip the scales at more than three kilograms, eating up a good chunk of your baggage limit before you’ve even packed anything.

These days there’s an abundance of high-quality, low-weight options available. July's Carry-on Light suitcase weighs just 1.8 kilograms, leaving you with plenty of leftover packing weight.

Swap your laptop for a tablet

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Even the svelte MacBook Air weighs 1.24 kilograms, while other laptops can clock in at more than twice of that. Tablets, however, often weigh in at less than half a kilo.

Better yet, go with your smartphone alone.

Downsize your toiletries

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One easy way to save on space is to decant your toiletries into travel-sized bottles or take a travel-sized amenities kit from your favourite brand.

And there are a few items you can skip packing altogether; most hotels will have their owns basics like shampoo and conditioner on hand if you’re not wed to a particular brand.

Get a universal adaptor

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If you’re hitting multiple overseas destinations on one trip, don’t chuck every mismatched travel adaptor you own into your bag and hope for the best. Instead, swap your collection for a universal adaptor guaranteed to work whether you’re in Belgium or Brazil.

Carry your camera

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In addition to your carry-on allowance, Qantas permits customers to bring one small personal item, such as a handbag, laptop, small camera or reading material, on board. So, if you simply must travel with that hardback copy of Infinite Jest, this is the way to do it.

Cull your clothes the clever way

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It’s easy to overestimate the amount of clothes you’ll need for a trip. The PackPoint Premium app, which takes the guesswork out of planning your outfits by generating the perfect packing list based on your destination, length of stay, type of trip and any activities you’ll be doing (such as swimming or hiking) could be a lifesaver here.

Digitise your travel docs

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There’s no need to arrive at the airport with a mess of different papers and documents. Instead, digitise your travel documents with an app like TripIt or save them to a USB, cloud drive or smartphone. Not only will you save on precious weight, you'll have your important information backed up should anything go awry.

Reconsider your library

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You may be a print devotee but if the weight restriction is really tripping you up, consider a Kindle. Weighing in at a miniscule 158 grams, it saves on space and weight. Alternatively, you can also deliver eBooks straight to your tablet or smartphone.

Be strict on shoes

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Few things add weight to your bag faster than a pair of hefty shoes. Wear your heaviest pair and be judicious with what you pack – a comfortable pair of sneakers for pounding the pavement during the day and a smarter pair for stepping out at night should be all you need for a short trip away.

Get a digital luggage scale

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Finally, don’t leave your baggage weight to chance. Invest in a digital luggage scale and you’ll know exactly how heavy your bag is before you get to the airport – just hook your suitcase onto the strap for an exact reading of your weight.