December 30th 2024.
Starting January 1st, Australians will be required to pay a little more for a new passport. This is due to a 3.5% increase in application prices, which is in line with standard indexation. As a result, a 10-year adult passport will cost $412, compared to the previous price of $398. For children, a five-year passport will now be priced at $208, and a replacement passport will set you back $259.
But this isn't the first time that the cost of Australian passports has been raised. Last year, a 15% tax was added to new passport prices, making them the most expensive in the world. Prior to this increase, Mexico held the title for the priciest passports, with a cost of $346. Simon Birmingham, the Coalition's foreign affairs spokesperson, criticized the government for these additional costs, calling it a "backdoor tax grab."
Birmingham continued to express his concerns, stating that Labor's constant price hikes on passports will result in nearly $1 billion annually from taxpayers. He also highlighted the disappointment many Australians feel when they realize that the cost of a passport is comparable to the price of an airfare, especially after saving up for a special holiday.
In response to these criticisms, a spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade explained that the cost of passports is indexed annually based on the Consumer Price Index. They also emphasized the high quality and technological sophistication of Australian passports, which are equipped with anti-fraud measures to ensure their integrity. This is why Australian passport holders are granted visa-free access to over 180 countries, a privilege that is highly respected internationally.
So while the price of Australian passports may be increasing, it's important to remember that it reflects the high standard and value of this essential travel document.
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