Australia's passport price hits new record with January hike

It is now more than double the cost of a UK passport.

The Aussie passport. Picture by Shutterstock

By Sarah Falson

Updated January 1 2026 - 8:16am, first published 8:00am

In this article

Australia's passport is already the most expensive in the world and now the price has jumped further.

The Australian passport has risen by $10 as of January 1, 2026.

A 10-year adult passport for people aged 16 and over now costs $422, compared to the previous price of $412 in 2025.

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Five-year passports for children aged 16 and under, and adults aged 75 and over, have risen from $208 to $213.

Why are our passports so expensive?

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said passport fees are set by law and adjusted annually on January 1 "in line with the Consumer Price Index".

"The Australian passport is internationally respected for its technological sophistication and anti-fraud measures to safeguard its integrity," they told Explore.

"Our biometrically enabled ePassport remains one of the most secure and trusted travel documents in the world. That's a key reason Australians enjoy visa-free travel to over 180 countries."

How does our passport compare?

Compare the Market's Passport Price Index from 2025 showed at the old price of $412, the Aussie passport was already well ahead of the next most expensive passport, Mexico's, which cost $335.95 and the USA's which cost $251.21 for 10 years.

New Zealand was the fourth most expensive at $225.62, the UK was a lot cheaper at $193.78 and Canada charged $177.61.

New Zealand's passport is the fourth most expensive in the world at $225.62 for 10 years. Picture by Shutterstock

As of 2026, the Aussie passport has risen by $172 in 10 years from $250 back in January 2015.

Compare the Market analysis of the 2025 price showed the Aussie passport, which gives residents access to 185 countries visa-free, costed the equivalent of $2.23 per visa-free country.

The USA with 182 visa-free countries costed only $1.38 per country, while New Zealand's costed $1.21 per country with 187.

Executive General Manager of General Insurance at Compare the Market, Adrian Taylor said passport fees were another expense consumers would prefer to stamp out.

Read more on Explore:

"Australian travellers can face a triple whammy when it comes to overseas holiday costs," Mr Taylor told Explore.

"First, our flights are generally more expensive due to our isolated location. Then there's the Aussie Dollar, which is performing poorly against the US dollar, Euro, and Pound at the moment. And finally, we're currently paying the most for the privilege of crossing borders because we have the most expensive passport fees in the world."

Words bySarah Falson

Sarah is ACM’s travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.

My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me.

Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life.

My top travel tip is … Don’t plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what’s within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.