Questions are raised over how a 17-year-old boy was allegedly able to evade security at Avalon Airport and board a flight with a loaded shotgun.

The 17-year-old is facing eight charges while a sheepshearer who stepped in to disarm him is being praised as a hero and has been offered free flights for life.

A passenger on the JQ610 flight to Sydney, Barry Clark, says he tackled a young man to the ground when he saw him holding a shotgun.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has initiated the audit to determine what security upgrades are necessary to prevent such incidents after a teenage alleged gunman tried to board a Jetstar flight.

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A teenager allegedly armed with a shotgun breached an airport’s security fence and tried to force his way onto a commercial flight before being overpowered by passengers. Police were called to Avalon Airport near Geelong, in Victoria, on Thursday afternoon following reports a male with a firearm had attempted to board the Jetstar flight.

In an interview with ABC Radio, passenger Barry Clark, one of the passengers involved in the teen's detainment, said the suspect began arguing with a flight attendant after boarding the plane. When the argument became heated, Clark said he intervened, according to the outlet.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on Sunday said he had written to a number of airports directing them to conduct safety assessments after a 17-year-old allegedly breached the security fence at Avalon armed with a shotgun and attempted to board a Jetstar flight on Thursday.

A teenager accused of attempting to hijack a Jetstar flight allegedly declared “I’ve got bombs in my bag” before he was tackled by passengers.

Barry Clark jumped into action and detained a teenager who allegedly attempted to board a plane with a gun on Thursday.

Victoria Police confirmed on Lara police station — about 9km away on the other side of the Princes Freeway — will continue to be charged with conducting “regular” patrols of the airport precinct. On Thursday, Lara officers arrested the teenager. He faced court on Friday charged with a string of serious offences.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has directed large regional airports to conduct an urgent risk assessment following a teenager allegedly attempting to board a Jetstar flight with a gun at Avalon airport.