By Starting today, Australians will pay 3.5% more for a new 10-year passport due to indexation.
Australia now holds the title for the world’s most expensive passports, with costs surpassing Mexico ($353.90), the USA ($252.72), and New Zealand ($193.72).
Here’s a quick rundown of the changes.
New Australian Passport Fees
- Adult Passport: Now $412 (previously $398).
- Children’s 5-Year Passport: Now $208.
- Replacement Passport: Now $259.
Have Australian Passport Fees Increased Before?
Yes, they have.
Today’s hike follows a 15% increase in July, where fees rose from $346 to $398.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated that this increase is expected to generate $349 million over three years, helping offset the growing costs of passport production.
Why Have Australian Passport Fees Increased?
According to a spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, passport fees are adjusted annually on January 1, based on the Consumer Price Index.
“The Australian passport is globally recognized for its high quality and advanced technology, supported by strong anti-fraud measures to maintain its integrity,” the spokesperson explained.
“This is one of the main reasons Australian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to over 180 countries.”
Education Minister Jason Clare added on Monday that the government remains more focused on addressing the costs of “everyday essentials” affecting Australians.
Government’s Focus and Criticism Over Passport Fee Hikes
Education Minister Jason Clare emphasized the government’s priorities, stating, “Keeping medicine affordable will help millions of Australians, raising wages for aged care workers will support hundreds of thousands, and offering free TAFE courses will benefit an additional 100,000 Australians next year and beyond.”
“These are the kinds of measures we’re focused on to ease the cost of living,” he added.
However, in November, Opposition Senate Leader and former Finance Minister Simon Birmingham criticized the fee hikes, calling them a “backdoor tax grab.”
“Under Labor, Australian passport fees have increased by 22.5%,” he said. “What the Albanese government described as a ‘modest’ increase has clearly turned into a backdoor tax grab.”