Australian Passport Huge Price Hike

Lguesthero on 13/12/2023 - 14:25
Last edited 15/12/2023 - 11:24 by 1 other user

Australian Passport is already the most expensive passport in the world at $325 AUD for an adult ten year passport (for first time and renewal).

Next year it's going to be close to $400 AUD. What do you guys really think about this steep price increase?

Is it really worth it for $400 AUD for a passport when New Zealand Passport is only $206 NZD which is just half the price of an Australian Passport with entry to more visa free travel countries?

Cost of renewing Australian passports to surge to almost $400

Price hike: Australian passports to cost almost $400 next year

Australian passports to cost 15 per cent more in 2024

Does your passport need to be renewed? It will cost you more next year

Australian passport is most expensive in the world to update

This is the most expensive passport in the world

The actual price next year will not be $375. It will be $325 + CPI Increase + $50 Increase.

This is extremely insane price for a passport when all other countries like NZ, USA, UK, Canada, etc. passports costs much less than Australian passport with entry to more visa free travel countries.

World's Most Expensive Passports (all in US dollars)

Australia $230
Mexico $170
Switzerland $140
Italy $135
United States $130
New Zealand $128
Chile $127
Canada $125
Japan $115
Turkey $110

All above passports are valid for 10 years.

HOW DO THE WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL PASSPORTS COMPARE?

Singapore Access to 193 countries (ranked 1st) - S$70 ($78)*

Japan Access to 192 countries (2nd) - ¥16,000 ($168)*

Finland Access to 191 countries (equal 3rd) - €50 ($82)*

France Access to 191 countries (equal 3rd) - €86 ($140)*

Germany Access to 191 countries (equal 3rd) - €60 ($98)*

Italy Access to 191 countries (equal 3rd) - €116 ($190)*

South Korea Access to 191 countries (equal 3rd) - KRW 50,000 ($58)*

Spain Access to 191 countries (equal 3rd) - €30 ($49)*

Sweden Access to 191 countries (equal 3rd) - 400 SEK ($58)*

Austria Access to 190 countries (equal 4th) - €75,90 ($124)*

Australia Access to 188 countries (equal 6th) - $325*

*Fees based on a 10-year validity period.

Travel Passport

Comments

    • Flying Ace on 13/12/2023 - 14:50
      +81

      guaranteed usefulness of 10 years.

      That's what people thought a few years ago, then you were not allowed to leave the country for 2 years without any compensation on the subsequent passport renewal.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 13/12/2023 - 14:55
        +16

        haha i was thinking after i hit post - i bet someone will make a lockdown related comment.

      • t25 on 13/12/2023 - 19:29
        +6

        I got my passport done in January 2020 (supposed to be a big year for my travels), Australian government still refuses to refund a portion of the years I was unable to travel.

        • callum9999 on 14/12/2023 - 01:23
          +3

          Why would they? It doesn't cost them any less to produce a "9 year passport" than it does a 10 year passport. No country would ever give refunds in situations like this.

          • t25 on 14/12/2023 - 01:40
            +10

            @callum9999: I am not asking for an explicit cash refund on my unused passport, but they could delay price increases by a couple of years so that those who got passports done in 2020 wouldn't get reamed on a renewal.

            • callum9999 on 14/12/2023 - 02:01
              +2

              @t25: Calling that a "refund" is an enormous stretch…

              They could, but the exact same question applies. It doesn't cost them anything less, so why would they?

              Obviously everyone wants to pay less for things, but I don't see why the government would want to reduce their income because of it?

              • Bunnyburger on 15/12/2023 - 15:33
                +1

                @callum9999: Don't you get it? You gotta bend over and let daddy government shove it in!

            • redfox1200 on 15/12/2023 - 06:27

              @t25: Just don't travel and you can save the $400 plus the 20,000 for the holidays

          • Brianqpr on 15/12/2023 - 11:33

            @callum9999: It doesn't cost them well over $300 either but they still charge that.

            • callum9999 on 15/12/2023 - 16:10

              @Brianqpr: I think you'll find that the foreign affairs department absolutely does cost more than $30/person/year to run.

              That doesn't mean the price is therefore acceptable (you could make a completely valid argument for passports being completely free of charge - I'd actually lean towards that view myself), I just don't think it's a valid argument for claiming partial refunds for "time I couldn't use it".

              • Brianqpr on 16/12/2023 - 13:50

                @callum9999: I'd agree that talking of refunds for not using it is laughable. But Ireland can provide a 10 year passport with live and work access to the entire EU plus the UK for $140 AUD. My application was lodged at the Irish consulate in Australia with staff being paid Australian wages, so processing costs would be similar or potentially more given its then referred back to Ireland and then comes back here for issue once complete. What we are being asked to pay is scandalous.

                • resisting the urge on 22/12/2023 - 11:33

                  @Brianqpr: There's a lot of costs that magnify as a result of having 7 or 8 governments too many in one country.

                  1. Cost (obviously)
                  2. Delay, indecision, stagnation.
                  3. A natural progression towards a group of bureaucracies whose only actual purpose is to justify themselves

                  $400 is cheap, as it is just the new high for us here in Oz. We're used to paying for our own apathy, in addition to goverment ineptitude, oversight, and an overweight bureaucracy masquerading as authority.

                  All hail $4000 passports before too long. Another way to keep the poor distracted- make them stay home and work!

      • Joey2scoops on 14/12/2023 - 08:13
        +4

        Here's a "hack". Having spent the money for a 10 year passport ask for a refund for 9.996 years because you only traveled once and were out of the country for 2 weeks.

        • johnfuller on 14/12/2023 - 09:07

          bullshit this works lol

      • Tleyx on 14/12/2023 - 10:57
        +2

        You were allowed you just needed a good excuse. I know multiple pepple who did it

      • Franc-T on 15/12/2023 - 02:54

        The passport is still a passport, its not a plane ticket though

    • gomertose on 13/12/2023 - 15:17
      +57

      9.5 years.

      Airlines won't let you on with <6 month validity. So you have to get a new one before then. And the new passport won't add 10 years to the date of the expiring one, just 10 years from when it was issued.

      • YoursTruly on 13/12/2023 - 19:00
        +2

        Airlines won’t allow for an inbound flight back to Australia as well?

        • donga100 on 13/12/2023 - 20:37
          +6

          You can return to Australia even with an expired passport. Many countries don't have the 6 month validity rule either.

        • donga100 on 13/12/2023 - 22:24
          +3

          Are you currently in Kenya with an expired passport?

      • payless69 on 14/12/2023 - 07:43

        Constantly changing immigration laws put it to sort of rather 9,4 years or less depending when you book and how long you travel for.

      • Hunk on 14/12/2023 - 11:03
        -1

        Oh my god!!
        Who needs this information?

    • unhuman on 13/12/2023 - 18:54

      Haha depends on how much you travel. Pages usually gets pretty full if you travel in Asia

    • Vita85 on 14/12/2023 - 16:47
      +3

      Imagine defending increased government taxes. Public servant?

    • Brianqpr on 15/12/2023 - 11:31
      +2

      Recently renewed all of our Aus passports (4 of us) for $325 each as we are going overseas in Jan and they had expired. Even that is an outrageous rip off. It will now be close to $400.

      For comparison I also hold UK and Irish passports. I got the Irish one (my parents are both Irish therefore I qualify by birth despite being born in the UK) in response to brexit causing the UK one to lose the access to EU countries. An Irish passport is $140 AUD (10 years validity) and allows you to live and work unrestricted in Ireland, the UK and a load of EU countries. My UK one expires in 2025 I think. Not sure if I will bother renewing given the loss of status since brexit.

      I can also get Irish passports for my kids which will be hugely useful if they decide to travel and work in Europe as many do. No restrictions in terms of being able to work and live in many European countries.

      Paying nearly 3 times as much for an Aus passport is absolutely ridiculous. We're being scammed.

  • brendanm on 13/12/2023 - 14:30
    +25

    Aw yeah bit of a gyp eh, just gonna get an NZ one instead, heaps better value mate eh

    • pharkurnell on 13/12/2023 - 14:52
      +3

      bro

    • richadam on 13/12/2023 - 14:54
      +4

      Can you share your referral code?

      • brendanm on 13/12/2023 - 15:15
        +11

        CUZZY42069EH

    • afoveht on 13/12/2023 - 20:46
      -7

      gyp

      In case you didn't know (I only learned this a few years ago on this very site after being told the same) this is a racist slur pertaining to the Romani people.

      • brendanm on 13/12/2023 - 22:05
        +9

        I am aware, though what isn't an alleged racist slur these days?

        • afoveht on 14/12/2023 - 07:08
          -1

          There are plenty. If not sure it's probably a bit more decent to go with an alleged rather than confirmed known slur.

          • brendanm on 14/12/2023 - 07:40
            +10

            @afoveht: I mean, if people want to make their living scamming and stealing, people will associate those people with scamming and stealing. Not sure if it's a slur if it's accurate.

      • CommuterPolluter on 14/12/2023 - 10:15

        I thought it was about gypsies not Romani?

      • ChatCPT on 14/12/2023 - 10:36
        -3

        dont be racist towards Romani people in general

        gyp is directed at lying, scamming, stealing, travelling con artists

      • Minimum chips on 14/12/2023 - 14:27
        +1

        I'm all for keeping up with society's rules on what is acceptable. The language of the last century is full of terms loaded with racism and hatred that quite rightly are no longer acceptable.

        However, I am very curious if this one is something that actual Romani people would be offended by. Like if I said "what a Gyp!" and a full-blooded Romani person was there, would they be hurt or mad?

        Or is it a case that non-Romani people - motivated either by genuine good will (I hope) or the desire to police and judge others (the cynical take) has made the decision on their behalf that we shouldn't use that word.

        I honestly would love to know.

        • brendanm on 14/12/2023 - 21:11
          +2

          However, I am very curious if this one is something that actual Romani people would be offended by.

          Don't you worry yourself about trivialities such as this, there are people lining up to be offended on their behalf.

        • ssfps on 15/12/2023 - 01:09

          The language of the last century is full of terms loaded with racism and hatred that quite rightly are no longer acceptable.

          Damn straight, we have an entirely new vocabulary full of new ways to express new hatreds in socially acceptable ways.

    • RTX9090Ti on 14/12/2023 - 07:11
      +1

      Kenyan passport only ~$45

      https://immigration.go.ke/passport-section/applicable-fees/

      • Lurk Hartog on 14/12/2023 - 09:29
        +27

        Do I need a VPN?

  • Dollar General on 13/12/2023 - 14:41
    +53

    It’s not a question of being worth it. You need one to travel internationally. They have you by the balls so to speak

    • Almost Banned on 13/12/2023 - 17:14
      +12

      Yes, but it is not unreasonable to benchmark against other countries' passport prices - and as guest said - Australia's was already the most expensive.

      • [Deactivated] on 13/12/2023 - 20:17
        +3

        You could benchmark it with the cost of life, economy etc. You can compare the price of Macdonald’s here and say Pakistan…

        • Almost Banned on 13/12/2023 - 21:03
          +2

          Yes - people already do that, its called the Big Mac Index.
          It shows that benchmarking the same item across countries is an interesting and informative task, and relevant = unlike your comment.

          • [Deactivated] on 14/12/2023 - 08:59
            -2

            @Almost Banned: So, can you explain what is the relevance of such benchmarking to this discussion apart from whinging. Does this comparison change anything for you or for the government, and the passport service in particular? It’s not like you have another option, and I am sure the government deeply cares about such benchmarking.

            Here are some options you can reflect on:
            1. If you don’t like the price of the passport service, no one is forcing you to have one.
            2. You’d then argue that this is the only way to travel internally. Fair enough. Here are two options:
            2.1. If you are not happy with the price, write a complaint letter to your local MP and send a copy to DFAT. If there are enough complaints, the government might reconsider the costing structure.
            2.2. If you think you can offer this service at a lower cost, train and keep staff, maintain equipment, infrastructure, certification, compliance etc, then please go for it. We will all be grateful to pay less.

            • Almost Banned on 14/12/2023 - 12:21
              +5

              @[Deactivated]: As I hope you know - there is no competition for passports, and no possibility of competition for passports, in this country.
              Which is why benchmarking against other countries' costs makes sense. They manage to provide the exact same service at a fraction of the cost - even in high labour cost countries.
              The fact is we are being rorted, and there is precious little we can do EXCEPT raise people's awareness of the rort and exert pressure on government.
              You see to be fine just bending over and taking it - so maybe just keep doing that.

              • [Deactivated] on 14/12/2023 - 13:01

                @Almost Banned: Seems you didn’t understand my response. Anyway, whatever floats your boat. Have a good day!

              • Assburg on 15/12/2023 - 15:31

                @Almost Banned: You'll probably also get more help as a foreign national of almost any first world country having issues abroad than you will as an Australian. No Australian embassy wants a bar of any difficulties you might find yourself in.

            • ssfps on 15/12/2023 - 01:14
              -2

              @[Deactivated]: Can you please explain the relevance of your post, apart from whinging about Almost Banned's whinging?
              Does your dismissal change anything for you or for for Almost Banned, including his post style in particular? It's not like you have to click on this forum thread, and I'm sure Almost Banned does not care deeply about your dismissal.

              Here are some options you can reflect on:
              1. If you don't like a forum thread, or posts within, no one is forcing you to read it or reply.
              2. You'd then argue that this is the only way you get social validation. Fair enough. Here are two options:
              2.1. If you are not happy with this comment thread, log out from ozbargain.
              2.2. If you don't think you can let this go out of a sense of completion, then please angrily click the report button on Almost Banned's post. We will all be ungrateful to read less ozb posts.

    • drprox on 13/12/2023 - 18:47
      -2

      yeah except you could not travel internationally…

    • ChatCPT on 14/12/2023 - 10:38
      +1

      its an admin fee all (most) citizens pay

      its higher than other countries for their equivalent admin fee

      Want to compare healthcare costs, schooling costs too?

    • neonlight on 14/12/2023 - 19:39

      Yup what can you do about it it's not like you can get a cheaper passport. No point complaining it's not like you can make government to reduce prices.

      Only thing you can do is don't go overseas

      So forget about your flight deals

  • geekcohen on 13/12/2023 - 14:42
    +3

    Next year it's gonna be close to $400 AUD

    $40 a year, it isn't that bad.

    Its $304.50 for 10 years for a driver's license in VIC, so overall, it is pretty much on par. $30 a year almost of driver's license.

    • oscargamer on 13/12/2023 - 18:08
      +21

      Yeh, but I use my driver licence every day.
      Last time I used my passport was 5 years ago.

      • Munki on 14/12/2023 - 10:37
        -1

        But are you actually physically using it every day? You having it on you is not using it, is it?

        • oscargamer on 14/12/2023 - 12:27

          I would say that I need to have a driver licence and I use it every day, so the per use cost is very low. Cents per use

          I need a passport to travel, but on a per use basis, cost is high. Hundreds of dollars per use

          Just the cost of living I guess

          • banana365 on 14/12/2023 - 17:21
            -2

            @oscargamer: If that's how you're going to work it out, rather than over a validity period, why not choose another arbitrary measurement? Cost per km travelled. On that measure, for anyone who goes to, say, Europe a couple of times in that 10 year period is probably going to work out cheaper.

    • emblurr on 14/12/2023 - 10:51
      +1

      I just renewed my Driver's license last week in Victoria for 10 years. $229.61

    • no not me on 15/12/2023 - 11:08
      +3

      We get shafted on drivers licences too. Germany pays 24€ for a 15 year licence.

      Our passport fees are such bullshit. I don't have kids, but it's such a huge barrier of entry for a family to fork out that much cash for passports. Most European countries passports are around 80€ or ~100 AUD for 10 years.

      • t25 on 15/12/2023 - 12:15

        Singapore goes one better and does away with driver license fees. You pay once and get it for life. No expiry date.

        • danyool on 15/12/2023 - 22:57

          Small mercies!! But in Singapore you have to pay approx $80k for a Certificate of Entitlement which lasts 10 years - before you even can buy a car!!

        • Igaf on 16/12/2023 - 09:52

          Always pays to get some context.
          https://www.bbc.com/news/business-67014420

          • t25 on 16/12/2023 - 10:19

            @Igaf: So TL;DR: The government is going to find a way to stick the tip in followed quickly with the shaft regardless?

            • Igaf on 16/12/2023 - 10:27

              @t25: Yeh the gubmint is always taking never giving - except from birth (assuming Aus born) all the way to death.

              I'm not surprised you didn't read. I'll summarise. Context is critical, as is perspective. Your comment above implies something better elsewhere whereas in fact the reality is precisely the opposite.

              Edit: btw I don't disagree with your comment about a covid passport refund, or at least an extension on affected passports. Frydenberg handed out billions to companies whose profits actually increased during covid. Guess this $5/yr increase is trying to claw back a little of that.

      • Igaf on 16/12/2023 - 09:58

        @no not me Seen the tax rates in Germany lately? It's ironic that cherry picking jobs are hard to fill in this country.

        A family pp discount rate might be an idea worth pursuing.

      • JimmyF on 13/12/2023 - 14:58
        +10

        Australia $230
        Mexico $170
        Switzerland $140
        Italy $135
        United States $130
        New Zealand $128
        Chile $127
        Canada $125
        Japan $115
        Turkey $110

        So here are the top '10' most costly passports in USD. Not sure why its in USD, as today ours would be $210 USD.

        Honestly if $375 AUD over 10 years is the make and break for you to travel overseas, then maybe overseas holidays are not for you.

        • guesthero on 13/12/2023 - 15:45
          +2

          The actual price next year will not be $375. It will be $325 + $50 + CPI Increase.

          • plmko on 13/12/2023 - 16:01
            +1

            @guesthero: So then renew it early to "save"

          • Igaf on 15/12/2023 - 19:33

            @guesthero: Just so we're at least comparing vaguely similar varieties of apples, since we can't easily compare lifestyle, liveability and wealth, have you done a similar comparison of say average annual incomes (better still, median incomes after tax) in each if the countries mentioned? If not why not?

            Australia is an expensive place to live, for a variety of reasons.

        • Dollar General on 13/12/2023 - 16:03
          -1

          Be better comparison if it was cost per year as we don’t know how long the above passports from other countries are valid for

        • drprox on 13/12/2023 - 18:48

          wow, TIL!

        • gromit on 13/12/2023 - 19:13
          +5

          Given Relative incomes, The Turkish one is by far the most expensive.

          • Bypass on 14/12/2023 - 11:53

            @gromit: The Mexican passport would be more than Turkey given relative incomes.

            • gromit on 14/12/2023 - 11:58

              @Bypass: no it wouldn't.

              average Turkey wage $405 a month
              average Mexican wage $2000 a month

        • RockyRaccoon on 13/12/2023 - 19:54
          +3

          Your arguments here, are starting to sound like a govt employee, with their salary increases it wont break them but others it will. If people economize and travel less they still pay the same amount for the passport . Govt can rip you off as well as any private company.

          People can complain about the cost increase, and if its justified.

          BTW its not an election year so whats your point. 🤣

          Interesting a number of those who dont see it as an issue have ACT or Canberra as their locale….

          • JimmyF on 13/12/2023 - 22:22
            -3

            @RockyRaccoon:

            Your arguments here, are starting to sound like a govt employee

            So me thinking a $50 price rise on a product that last 10 years is ok, and must make me an employee? Right, sounds sane and logical.

            If people economize and travel less they still pay the same amount for the passport . Govt can rip you off as well as any private company.

            LOL If you have to do less travel as your one off cost every 10 years has gone up $50! Then maybe you should be having a long hard look at your finances.

            People can complain about the cost increase, and if its justified.

            But do they really!?

            Food has gone up way more than 15%. Lots of things I used to buy in the supermarket for $10 are now $12, so a 20% increase. So to me, a 15% price rise that is locked in for the next 10 years is a steal!

            Power is up, mobile plans are up, amazon prime is up.

            Love it how passports are the hill that so many want to die for.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join