The Airbus A320 carrying 80 passengers and crew from Brisbane declared an emergency as it approached Melbourne Airport today, Transport Minister Darren Chester said in a statement.
"Tiger Airlines Flight TGW 511 reported an odor in the cockpit and cabin," the statement said. "There were reports that crew members were taken ill."
The fire brigade and ambulances were put on standby, but the plane landed safely, it said.
Tiger Airways said the crew detected an "unusual odor" in the cabin during the descent into Melbourne.
Australian air safety investigators and engineers were examining the incident.