The passport prices for 2019 have been released (https://www.passports.gov.au/news/notice-2019-passport-fees). A standard adult passport will be $11 more expensive. This surely makes an Australian adult passport the most expensive in the world with the exception of places where they don't want you to leave, like Syria. If your passport is within the last 8 months or so of it's life and $11 means a lot to you then right now is the right time to apply for a new one.
So an Australian passport will set you back $293 (US$210) ... however, there is a good graph online (dated 2015) which compares the passport cost to the number of hours worked (based on an average hourly wage) - most countries were up to 20 hours of work. I guess this is a more accurate method instead of just looking at the price.
Some examples
Australia - 7 hours (based on $40 per hour average wage - from the ABS).
Mexico - 220 hours
Turkey - 95 hours
Syria - 266 hours
USA - 7 hours
UK - 6 hours
Singapore - 2.5 hours
New Zealand - 7 hours
For reference, a Syrian passport now costs US$400 (making it the worlds most expensive and almost double the cost of an Australia passport) with an average wage of US$1.5 per hour (166 hours of work) though this hourly figure from the internet is questionable.
So the relative cost among those developed nations mentioned equates to +/- 7 hours pay. But perhaps the real question is: what does it cost those governments to issue a passport, is the fee only enough to cover that cost or is there an element of profit and if so how much? I doubt we'll ever find out.
So the relative cost among those developed nations mentioned equates to +/- 7 hours pay. But perhaps the real question is: what does it cost those governments to issue a passport, is the fee only enough to cover that cost or is there an element of profit and if so how much? I doubt we'll ever find out.
I guess the only way would be a FOI request? As quick google search reveals someone did that in the UK back in 2011. It explains they don't charge more than they need to + a small extra for consular assistance.
From the total £77.50 fee:
£31.60 - Application processing (~40%)
£15.62 - Consular Assistance (~20%)
£10.79 - Production of Book (~14%)
£3.30 - Delivery Fees (~4%)
£16.90 - Admin Fees (~21%)
I just found full document on google under "Breakdown of costs involved in issuing a passport"
I submitted my application for a 10-year passport yesterday, my current one was going to expire in less than 6 months. It cost $282 + Priority (leaving the country soon) of $186. Making it $468.
I submitted my application for a 10-year passport yesterday, my current one was going to expire in less than 6 months. It cost $282 + Priority (leaving the country soon) of $186. Making it $468.
So the relative cost among those developed nations mentioned equates to +/- 7 hours pay. But perhaps the real question is: what does it cost those governments to issue a passport, is the fee only enough to cover that cost or is there an element of profit and if so how much? I doubt we'll ever find out.
I think you'll find that DFAT uses passport fees as a revenue source to go towards to cost of providing consular activities. It is not a cost recovery fee.
And for a country that does not stamp its own citizen's passports, and yet charge so much, it a money grab for either side of the political spectrum, either Coalition or Labor.
Exit Au, use exit Smartgate... no passport stamping, and yet still pay the Aust pax movement levy, Aud$60...!!! What the...
Enter Au, use incoming Smartgate, also no passport stamping, but we then have to get the little chit of paper to hand to an ABF/Home Affairs officer, might get our moneys worth if AQIS wants to inspect our bags, but other than that, its DIY nearly all the way.
Plus have to remove glasses when getting passport done, and then probably have to remove them prescription glasses too at Smargate.
Might as well be like the proverbial hermit and not travel.
But then, passport as a means of matter of showing id, bugger, still have to have it made every 10 years.
And for a country that does not stamp its own citizen's passports, and yet charge so much, it a money grab for either side of the political spectrum, either Coalition or Labor.
Exit Au, use exit Smartgate... no passport stamping, and yet still pay the Aust pax movement levy, Aud$60...!!! What the...
Enter Au, use incoming Smartgate, also no passport stamping, but we then have to get the little chit of paper to hand to an ABF/Home Affairs officer, might get our moneys worth if AQIS wants to inspect our bags, but other than that, its DIY nearly all the way.
Plus have to remove glasses when getting passport done, and then probably have to remove them prescription glasses too at Smargate.
Might as well be like the proverbial hermit and not travel.
But then, passport as a means of matter of showing id, bugger, still have to have it made every 10 years.
So you would prefer to line up for a personal inspection on departure and arrival? Please! Everytime I go somewhere where I have to queue for an hour to enter a country, I'm pleased I don't have to do that back home any more.
And for a country that does not stamp its own citizen's passports, and yet charge so much, it a money grab for either side of the political spectrum, either Coalition or Labor.
Exit Au, use exit Smartgate... no passport stamping, and yet still pay the Aust pax movement levy, Aud$60...!!! What the...
Enter Au, use incoming Smartgate, also no passport stamping, but we then have to get the little chit of paper to hand to an ABF/Home Affairs officer, might get our moneys worth if AQIS wants to inspect our bags, but other than that, its DIY nearly all the way.
Plus have to remove glasses when getting passport done, and then probably have to remove them prescription glasses too at Smargate.
Might as well be like the proverbial hermit and not travel.
But then, passport as a means of matter of showing id, bugger, still have to have it made every 10 years.
You're not obligated to use the smartgate. You can go through the manual queue if you want to get your money's worth.
fxdxdy
fxdxdy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 18 May 2011
Total posts 43
The passport prices for 2019 have been released (https://www.passports.gov.au/news/notice-2019-passport-fees).
A standard adult passport will be $11 more expensive.
This surely makes an Australian adult passport the most expensive in the world with the exception of places where they don't want you to leave, like Syria.
If your passport is within the last 8 months or so of it's life and $11 means a lot to you then right now is the right time to apply for a new one.
henrus
henrus
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Oct 2013
Total posts 766
For reference, a Syrian passport now costs US$400 (making it the worlds most expensive and almost double the cost of an Australia passport) with an average wage of US$1.5 per hour (166 hours of work) though this hourly figure from the internet is questionable.
tommygun
tommygun
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
Member since 16 Oct 2017
Total posts 282
So the relative cost among those developed nations mentioned equates to +/- 7 hours pay. But perhaps the real question is: what does it cost those governments to issue a passport, is the fee only enough to cover that cost or is there an element of profit and if so how much? I doubt we'll ever find out.
mspcooper
mspcooper
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 May 2013
Total posts 442
All these fees are arbitrary. Especially, driver's license and passport fees.
henrus
henrus
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Oct 2013
Total posts 766
I guess the only way would be a FOI request? As quick google search reveals someone did that in the UK back in 2011. It explains they don't charge more than they need to + a small extra for consular assistance.
djcz
djcz
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Feb 2014
Total posts 130
I submitted my application for a 10-year passport yesterday, my current one was going to expire in less than 6 months. It cost $282 + Priority (leaving the country soon) of $186. Making it $468.
fxdxdy
fxdxdy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 18 May 2011
Total posts 43
Owww
hutch
hutch
Member since 07 Oct 2012
Total posts 771
I think you'll find that DFAT uses passport fees as a revenue source to go towards to cost of providing consular activities. It is not a cost recovery fee.
townaz
townaz
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 31 Jan 2018
Total posts 17
One thing to keep in mind our passport is valid for 10 years. A lot of other countries only issue passports for 5 years.
sgb
sgb
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
Member since 30 Nov 2015
Total posts 419
If we can afford overseas business class fares, is the $11 more for a passport a major concern?
Andrew Barkery
Andrew Barkery
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Mar 2011
Total posts 433
And for a country that does not stamp its own citizen's passports, and yet charge so much, it a money grab for either side of the political spectrum, either Coalition or Labor.
hutch
hutch
Member since 07 Oct 2012
Total posts 771
So you would prefer to line up for a personal inspection on departure and arrival? Please! Everytime I go somewhere where I have to queue for an hour to enter a country, I'm pleased I don't have to do that back home any more.
Rufus1
Rufus1
Member since 04 Dec 2013
Total posts 70
that would be 9 years and 6 months tbh.
MRYJDrake
MRYJDrake
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 31 Oct 2016
Total posts 206
You're not obligated to use the smartgate. You can go through the manual queue if you want to get your money's worth.
MRYJDrake
MRYJDrake
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 31 Oct 2016
Total posts 206
In case you end up in hospital/jail, you can likely still leave without it expiring