2024 Budget reveals new fees for Australian passports
A price rise from July 1 will make the Australian passport one of the world’s most expensive
By David Flynn, May 15 2024
Australians will have to pay an additional $50 for new or renewed passports from July 1, lifting the price to almost $400 for what is already one of the world’s most expensive passports.
However, there will now be two ways to speed the turnaround time if your passport is about to expire, or has less than the six months required by many countries as a condition of entry.
Compared to the Australian Passport Office’s quoted “minimum of six weeks” to get a new passport or renew your old one at the standard rate of $396, travellers will have the following speedier options:
- an additional $100 fast track payment on top of the standard fee will have your passport processed within five business days
- an additional $252 priority payment on top of the standard fee cuts that time to just two business days
The fast track service, announced in this week’s 2024 Federal Budget, is expected to generate $27.4 million over five years – money which the Government says will be reinvested into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) portfolio.
However, as Executive Traveller has previously revealed, there are also some simple ways to ensure a quicker turn-around even without any additional fees.
Read: Top tips to speed up your Australian passport renewal
DFAT processes about 3.1 million passports every year, and based on the new fee structure expects to count $394m in revenue over the 2024-2025 financial year.
In February this year, a report from the Auditor General found that passport delivery times had spiralled, while the process itself had “not been efficient”, with a quarter of applications from May 2022 taking longer than six weeks.
Earlier this year, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised the $50 jump in passport fees was a “one-off” measure, raising $349m over three years to cover the increased cost of producing Australia’s super-secure ‘R series’ passports.
“The funds from this one-off are all about making sure we can resource our passport system to make them modern, and fit for purpose, especially at a time where there are ongoing threats to people’s security and their identity.”
As long-time frequent flyers will recall, the government phased out the 66-page Frequent Traveller passport in 2017, with all Australian passports now containing 34 pages for immigration stamps and visas.
Australia’s new-look R Series passports
Australia’s R series passports – named for the first letter in the individual passport number – are packed with advanced security compared to the current P series introduced in 2014, with innovative features responding to touch, movement, ultraviolet and infrared light.
The photo page is made of a tough, high-security layered plastic that’s laser-engraved, not printed with ink – as a result, the photo on the main photo page is in black and white, although it appears in colour on the facing ‘Observations’ page.
Some of the new features on the photo pages of the new R series passport.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
A tactile raised map of Australia is embedded in the lower-left corner of the main photo, while a radio antenna for the embedded ePassport chip is visible at the far right of the page.
The front cover is more refined than the P series, while the back cover is decorated with two embossed kangaroos in Indigenous design, while inside pages showcase Australia’s natural beauty.
Australia's new-look R series passport.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The inside front and back cover pages represent the country’s coasts – rather apropos, as that’s how all travellers enter and leave Australia – the blank ‘visa’ pages are decorated with photo-realistic double-page colour illustrations of iconic landscapes from around the country.
Under ultraviolet light, the sky in each image becomes a unique nightscape, and a local species of native fauna appears.
UV light turns colourful landscapes into night-time images with native fauna.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Other hidden features: the wattle on the ‘security features’ page changes colour when held at different angle, and under ultraviolet light a red and white wattle appears on the inside front cover, under the Governor-General’s message on the inside front cover.
UV light reveals extra hidden details on the new R series passports.
Department of Foreign Affairs and TradeAlthough the first batch of R passports saw the Governor-General’s message still referencing “her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second,” the Australian Passport Office is now issuing passports that reference His Majesty King Charles III on the inside cover.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
21 Jul 2019
Total posts 186
I can tolerate increased costs (although I don't claim to like it). It's the lying politicians I can't stand. Today, a politician claimed the passport fee increase is simply a "one off" cost (implying there are no further passport cost increases). That was a bold-faced LIE. Passport fees have only ever gone up, since I received my first in 1979, and they have gone up every time I paid for a new one. Is the good Treasurer now claiming he has magically frozen for all time the cost of a passport? Don't hold your breath, and don't believe any career politician claiming "one off" cost increases.
21 Jun 2019
Total posts 7
I'd guess he was referring to the July 15% as a 'one off'. The 1 January CPI increase are regular and written into a pricing schedule. Yep, things do go up in price. And factored into the spend associated with a passport (your travelling) its probably very small. I appreciate though that some ppl may travel int'l infrequently, but like everything (getting to the airport, flights accom,...) its part of the 'budget'.
07 Mar 2017
Total posts 62
Even the extra is not a "one-off". It last had an additional increase in 2016.
And what's wrong with aiming for best practice? The US has the same technology, but their passport only costs US$130 (=~$200), so basically half the cost.
There's no justification for ours being so expensive.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Aug 2015
Total posts 56
Glad i got one last week :)
22 Sep 2017
Total posts 89
With the proliferation of e-Visas and reduction in physical entry and exit stamps, the lack of a 66-page option isn't such a concern. But it would be nice to move those functions to an app to keep track of all the ETAs and travel history in one place. Of course that would require integration amongst many countries' immigration departments, but they probably have the back-end integration anyway to check passport details for those electronic documents, so it shouldn't be too difficult.
15 Mar 2018
Total posts 92
The removal of the Frequent Traveller Passport was a massive price increase as frequent travelers had to get new passports more often.
Interesting how when they want to, Dept of Border Control can produce a list of countries you have visited in the last 25-years. Guess it is only when they want to look at how long you have spent in and out of the country for Government purposes, but they do hold this information.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
02 Dec 2016
Total posts 47
Absolute daylight robbery !
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 128
Prices should have been frozen just like xmas hams.
18 Nov 2023
Total posts 21
… and popsicles.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 381
I'm still waiting on a partial refund from the government for my last passport which we pretty much weren't able to use for the best part of two years.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 May 2014
Total posts 24
Was it rebuilt / designed" In-house" or as we have grown to expect "outsourced" at great expense with the never ending loss of "in house" expertise?
21 Jun 2019
Total posts 7
I dont know the answer to that question, but, if you re-design a passport every (lets say 8years 2014 - 2022), would you employ someone for 6 years to have little focus and work for 2 years to produce it, or, pay bit more to get the best tech, design and features at a slightly to double annual investment?
With humour: no doubt the more expensive option LOL
The answer is here: Note Printing Australia: https://www.noteprinting.com/history-passports
18 Nov 2023
Total posts 21
… “The R series replaces the P series” … Whatever happened to the Q series? Perhaps, given the passenger processing speed (or lack thereof) at many airports in the South Pacific basin, a “Queue” series would attract (rightful) ridicule.
Qantas
22 Oct 2012
Total posts 317
Keep in mind that it'll be just $39 a year, which is a pretty small cost component for any international trip.
07 Mar 2017
Total posts 62
How is that relevant to the many who don't travel internationally every year?
18 Nov 2023
Total posts 21
And keep in mind that if you fly internationally twice a day it’s “only” 5.34 cents a day. Or perhaps keep in mind that it’s just another example of a cash strapped government desperately searching every dark, damp corner of the population’s wallets to see if they’ve missed a cent here or there … particularly considering that the cost of producing/renewing passports is probably way lower today (guessing here) than when it was all done “by hand”. Here’s a cash raising thought “for free” … how about performance based pay for politicians? Performance rated by public opinion.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
21 Jul 2019
Total posts 186
Phil, the problem is that in the real world you must add 'just $39 a year' along with all the OTHER increases in gov't fees, taxes, charges, so called "one offs", levies etc. etc. On their own they are 'a pretty small cost' (in your own words). But combined, it all adds up to an obscenely massive haul for our good Treasurer.
Perhaps, we wouldn't be taken for suckers if more of us adopted a more objective and questioning stance towards politicians and their real intentions?? (Instead of automatically justifying and accepting every impost that gets shoved down our throats?)
20 Oct 2015
Total posts 242
I understand what Phil is saying, and I agree that anybody who has the money to travel overseas is not short of the extra $50 for a passport, as he says, this comes out at $39/year. Nobody likes to pay more for anything and yes prices are going up everywhere you look, but seriously in the grand scheme of things, this $50 increase won't break the bank.
15 Mar 2018
Total posts 92
For those of us who travel each year, but not for those who travel every 3 or 5 years.
21 Jun 2019
Total posts 7
So going up $66 for a 10y passport. being about $6.60 a year. You get more security in one of the worlds most 'valuable' travel docs (no pun intended LOL), and, enjoy the experience and freedom of travel. If you are not happy with the change, forego once per year (pick one): 2 espressos, a berry muffin or a pot of beer. There done. (if ya got enough to travel o/s, you can afford a $6.60 increase).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Aug 2015
Total posts 56
Agreed, but im renewing now to save $100 to blow on cocktails in Fiji.
18 Nov 2023
Total posts 21
Absolutely! It’s exactly the same logic that says if you’ve got the silly money being asked to put a roof over your head “ya” got the money to pay a little more (and therefore should).
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1027
They owe us a 20% discount on renewing passports valid while they prevented us from leaving.
19 May 2021
Total posts 4
Way too many apologists here. Fee increase is unwelcome, on what is already a very high fee by global standards (including other developed countries) is unreasonable, the excuse not very justifiable. Singapore passports use the same polycarbonate card for their passports, the cost is S$70 for 10 years - additional manufacturing costs are neglible if spread over the tens of millions they produce over the lifecycle of this passport series. Don't forget those based overseas get tagged with an overseas processing fee as well, nudging them close to A$600. I would stomach it better if the number of pages were bumped up in return but no, this is just extra cost for no additional reason.
To me it is same old class targetting, in that overseas travellers are better off and can be slugged more. But this actually hurts the lower class more - those who go on overseas holidays once every 5 years are paying an extra $32.50 per trip. All those who are bending over backwards with mental arithmetic to try to justify this as only a $6/year cost increase conveniently disregard the impact on occasional travellers who don't travel every year, and for whom that extra $6/year gives them absolutely nothing in most years.
Next time you meet overseas friends or colleagues, start asking them how much their passports are. It'll surprise you if you're not aware.
21 Jun 2019
Total posts 7
Not apologists, merely giving other factors and concepts to consider. Didn't disregard the infrequent traveller if you read the response to sunnybrae. $66/10 is hardly 'bending over backwards...mental arithmetic'
Please also understand that the revenue goes back into dfat who you may need for assistance one day, although we all hope not.
18 Nov 2023
Total posts 21
Right on the button there “qaz”. I’m self employed with a reasonably healthy income stream and I can, with 99.9% confidence, assure anyone that government cash raising endeavours like this, that target supposed “fat cats” who can afford luxuries like travel … and any other perceived luxuries … that increased costs simply get passed down the food chain … almost certainly with a “margin”. This is simply a cancerous taxation grab, that spreads to all corners of the population.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
21 Jul 2019
Total posts 186
Too true. I'll never understand anybody who gets slugged with the highest administrative fees in the world (a.k.a the infamous "one off cost) would happily pat the responsible politician on the shoulder for a job well done(!!!) Then again, I'm not a sadomasochist. Instead, we should all be giving them a kick up the ***** for this, and not be drooling all over them.
10 Apr 2020
Total posts 14
So we have money to fund overseas wars but dont have the funds to cover the production of new passports for Australian citizens, not sure who is more silly here, the pollies spinning this crap or the citizens accepting their spin
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 456
Although Mine still has two more years to go till January 2026 of which I would be replacing in 2025 I might get in before July and get it done before the price hike.I will explain to my agency about this in the new year.
15 Mar 2018
Total posts 92
Only costs NZ$206 (AU$189) for a NZ 10-year passport using same technology with 49 pages versus our 42. They have a much smaller population. All the justification goes out the window.
Even a UK passport cost GBP75 or AUD 141.70. So who are the suckers who are being sold a load of rubbish in the Government's efforts to drag more money from Australians' pockets?
18 Sep 2018
Total posts 9
I am tired of the "Australia tax", my Serbian passport was $103 for 10 years including the overseas emabssy surcharge. If you say it isn't fair to compare a Serbian passport to an Australian one let's look at a South Korean passport. The Korean is superior to Australian as it provides visa free or on arrival to 192 countries and territories, six more than Australia. The Korea passport comes in 2 sizes the 26 page which is ₩50,000 (AUD57.40) and a 58 page version at ₩53,000 (AUD60.84). The Korean passport is highly secure and the last renewal we had to do for a child's passport, they apologised for the delay where it took 5 days instead of 3 days to issue, while the child's Australian passport took 8 weeks at the same time. The Australian passport provides limited protection for citizens in trouble zones short of advice to get the next commercial flight out or in the unlikely event they evacuate you a bill you unless the flag carrier is trying to regain its reputation. As for the spin it's only $39 per year, 2 things 1. I don't pay by the year, I pay for 10 years. 2. The Korean passport is only $5.74 per year which is less than the Australian price rise.
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 456
It's Insane.I forget how much it was to get my kid passport in 1988 which was the first one in my own name but we are being punished all because of a pandemic that should have never happened(the only thing good to come out from that was extra money from job keeper)and will not get a refund for the two years we were not allowed out of the country.I was supposed to in 2021 be on a New Caledonia cruise but that got cancelled on me so ended up booking in it's place a Cairns trip.
26 Mar 2020
Total posts 70
People on this page would stil be sticking up for the government even if they raised it to $1000 fee - you would have people like phil saying its only $100 a year LOL
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Jan 2018
Total posts 47
Compared to the cost of my purposeless car "registration" fee - more than 3 times the cost of a 10 year passport ANNUALLY, just so that I can pay 60c/litre in fuel tax, the passport fee is a relative bargain. There again, my British passport just cost £88.50 ($170).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Aug 2015
Total posts 56
What nark downvoted me spending my money on cocktails in Fiji ? They were delicious btw......
21 Dec 2012
Total posts 44
basic govt documents - particularly like ID - shouldn't be profit centres. There might be an argument for adding additional taxes on international travel if necessary, but important identification documents shouldn't be more than a nominal cost. Even more so given that we increasingly need to use documents such as these to identify ourselves for KYC or access to services (I'm expanding in scope from just passports to the exorbitant cost of drivers licences e.g. NSW at 390 vs NZ at 32 for 10 years)
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 6
Cost for a PR resident return visa is $465, payable every 5 years, and issued within seconds of sending payment. All you get is a PDF in an email.
Physical passport sounds like a bargain by comparison!
25 Jun 2018
Total posts 49
My wife and I recently lodged passport renewals at the same time at our local post office. My new one was in my hands on the 3rd business day afterwards. My wife’s took 6 weeks. Rather surprised that I wasn’t asked for Fast Track or even Priority fee. The 2 new ones were issued on different dates, therefore expiring on different dates whereas the old ones were issued and expired on the same dates. Just one more thing to keep an eye on.
Apropos a politician’s definition of a “one-off” fee rise, it coincides with the expected ‘lifetime’ of the average politician - until the next election.
25 Jun 2018
Total posts 49
David. The photo heading the article is of the older P version of the front cover, the R version is shown lower down.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2558
Hi Paul – quite so, but the R series pics supplied don't lend themselves to the type of photo we prefer as the feature image of an article, so we've gone with the pic you see atop the piece.
31 Aug 2022
Total posts 3
I travel 5 months of the year. The justification of this price increase is ludicrous. As for the UV enhanced designs on visa pages- what for? Flashing it about in a nightclub? Unlikely. I’ll be doing that. Who spends time perusing their passport for the fun of it? Passport stamps will soon be a thing of the past. Just another money grab on a gagged public. Get with the program Australia. If other nations with higher populations can provide lower costs and higher processing expediency then so can we.
27 Mar 2019
Total posts 54
So $400 for Aussie passport...on top of £120 to renew my UK Passport and €100 for IRL (including the card - €75 for the Passport, €35 for the Passport Card separately). At least the expiries are staggered 🤦♂️
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 May 2018
Total posts 74
I renewed mine last year.. have used it twice to leave Aust.. major problems both in Brisbane and Sydney. No problems in arriving countries eg Singapore/London/Auckland.. then no problems arriving back home.. Perth/Sydney. No explanation.
18 Sep 2018
Total posts 9
Oh, well I guess I'll be renouncing my Australian citizenship when my current passport expires in 2032, when due to "a one off rise for extra security features" it's only marginally cheaper for a passport than a harbour view house in Sydney.
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