Qantas and Virgin Australia have applied for permission to allow passengers to use electronic devices during take-off and landing on flights within Australia.

Under current rules, passengers are told to switch off their smartphones, tablets and e-readers before their plane takes off.

The devices can then be used during the cruising part of the flight but must be switched off again before landing.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) now says airlines can apply for permission for travellers to keep their devices switched on - in flight mode - for the whole journey.

CASA spokesman Peter Gibson said Virgin and Qantas have already lodged applications and should have an answer next month.

"The airlines need to demonstrate to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority that they've assessed their aircraft [to be] safe from electromagnetic interference," he said.

"They also need to have in place all of the relevant cabin safety procedures, crew training, new briefings for passengers and [then] we just assess all of that to make sure it's suitable."

Mr Gibson said airlines in the United States introduced the change almost a year ago.