The world's most expensive passport just went up again

Is the new hefty price tag worth it?

As of 1 January 2025, Australians have faced another hike in passport fees, with the cost of a standard 10-year passport climbing to $412. This increase, announced by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), maintains the Australian passport as the most expensive globally, sparking frustration among travellers.

Why are passport fees increasing?

The latest fee hike adds $14 to the cost of a standard adult passport, following a 15 per cent increase from $346 to $398 implemented in July 2024. Since the current government came into office in 2022, passport fees have risen by $104 in total.

The government has defended the rising costs, citing the need to maintain the high standards and security of Australian passports. A DFAT spokesperson explained that passport fees are indexed annually on 1 January in line with the Consumer Price Index and the additional revenue supports initiatives to counter evolving identity security threats, ensuring the document remains one of the most trusted globally.

“The Australian passport is respected internationally as a high-quality travel document. It has a high level of technological sophistication, backed by rigorous anti-fraud measures, which ensures its integrity," the spokesperson said.

The opposition’s criticism

Not everyone agrees that the fee hikes are justified. Opposition Senate Leader Simon Birmingham has criticised the 22.5 per cent increase, describing it as a “backdoor tax grab".

“Australians are being taken for a ride twice over before they’ve even left the country, firstly by paying the highest passport prices in the world, and secondly as officials appear to have been leaving taxpayers exposed via questionable procurement practices," Birmingham said.

What do travellers get for their money?

Despite the rising costs, the Australian passport remains a highly valued travel document. It offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 189 countries, ranking it the sixth most powerful passport globally according to the Henley Passport Index.

However, some travellers are questioning whether the hefty price tag reflects the quality of the physical document. Many have reported issues with the newer passport designs, including curling edges and peeling laminate, raising concerns about durability.

These defects could cause more than just annoyance – travellers risk being denied entry at international borders if their passports appear tampered with.

Where to take your expensive passport

Mount Fuji at Lake Kawaguchi in the morning sunrise — Japan is always a popular destination for Australians. (Image: Getty Images/Panuwat Dangsungnoen)

With Australian passports granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 189 countries, there’s no shortage of destinations to make the most of your investment. For a tropical escape, Fiji offers paradisical experiences with no entry requirements, while a visa-on-arrival in the Maldives will allow you to soak in the sunshine and serenity.

Culture seekers can explore Europe’s iconic cities like Paris, Rome, and Berlin, which are all easily accessible without visas. Closer to home, Japan remains a favourite with Australian travellers for its seamless visa-free entry and unique blend of tradition and modernity.

Whether you’re chasing adventure, relaxation or cultural enrichment, your expensive passport still opens doors to some of the world’s most extraordinary experiences.

How do Australian passport fees compare globally?

With the latest increase, Australia’s standard adult passport remains the most expensive worldwide. By comparison:

United States: A 10-year passport costs approximately AU$208.
United Kingdom: A similar passport costs roughly AU$177.
New Zealand: The cost sits at AU$195.

This stark difference has led to criticism that Australians are paying a premium for a basic travel document.

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What does this mean for travellers?

Baby with Australian passport — A child’s passport will set you back $208. (Image: Michelle O’Callaghan)

If you’re planning international travel in 2025, it’s essential to budget for the higher passport fees. For families, the costs can quickly add up. A family of four applying for passports could now pay over $1200.

We recommend renewing your passport well in advance of any planned trips to avoid last-minute rush fees, which can make the process even more expensive.

Looking ahead

While the government emphasises the importance of investing in security and global trust, the growing costs of passports are leaving many Australians frustrated. Combined with quality concerns, these changes have raised questions about whether the rising fees truly reflect the value travellers receive.

As Australians adapt to this new reality, one thing is certain: the cost of securing your ticket to the world has never been higher.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Australia has the world’s most expensive passport – and it just went up again!