Australian travellers already lay claim to one of the most powerful passports on the planet, but we also carry the weight of having the world’s most expensive. Despite a 15 per cent price hike just six months ago, the cost of our trusty little travel document is set to climb even higher in the New Year.
From January 1, 2025, Aussies will have to shell out almost $412 for the ten-year travel book, with a planned $14 increase on the current cost of $398. This marks the second fee hike for Australian passports in just 12 months. The cost was first indexed to the consumer price index on January 1, as it is every year, rising from $325 in 2023 to $346 in 2024 – bumping Australia from second to first place on the world’s most expensive passport list.
In June 2024, Treasurer Jim Chalmers assured Aussie residents that the July price increase would be a “one-off” and that it was set to raise $349 million over the next three years, with additional revenue going towards covering the rising cost of producing a passport. However, it’s now looking less like a "one-off" and more like a recurring trend.
We don’t want you kicking off 2025 on a sour note, so here’s some perspective: it’ll cost the average Australian around $41 per year for the freedom to travel (almost) anywhere in the world – we think that's still a pretty worthwhile investment. And, you’ll just have to travel more to get better bang for your buck! Start with our ultimate guide to the 25 most incredible places in Australia.