Australia’s 10-Year Passport Price Rise: Renewal Timing and Budgeting

(AUSTRALIA) — The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed on December 18, 2025 that the fee for a standard 10-year adult Australian passport will rise to $422 on January 1, 2026, up from $412.

Australians who lodge applications before December 31, 2025 will pay $412, a deadline that has sparked a pre-holiday rush at Australia Post outlets.

Why the fee is rising

DFAT tied the Australian passport fee increase to:

• Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments
• Costs associated with next-generation e-passport chips and enhanced biometric security

The change means the standard adult passport fee will be $422 from January 1, 2026, after being $412 from January 1, 2025. One report noted a current price of $405, but official sources confirm $412.

How Australia compares internationally

• Australia’s passport remains the world’s most expensive.
• Examples cited:
  • Mexico: around ~$336 AUD
  • United States: around ~$251 AUD
  • New Zealand: $226 (comparison figure used in budgeting context)

Practical implications for travellers

Renewal timing has become a practical concern for travellers trying to avoid paying more, particularly during peak summer demand.

• Applications lodged before December 31, 2025 lock in the $412 fee.
• Passports are valid for 10 years from issue.
• One suggested strategy: renew 12 to 18 months before expiry to avoid urgency fees while extending validity.

Important: Standard processing is listed at 6 weeks. Applications during high demand may experience delays; plan accordingly.

Fees and processing options

Standard and additional fees cited in the material:

Processing speed and surcharges:

• Standard processing: 6 weeks (included in base fee)
• Fast track (5-day): additional $104
• Priority processing (2-day): additional $300

Notes:
– Extra charges (photos, agency fees, priority service) can push urgent renewal totals near $700.
– Budget advice recommended setting aside $500–$700 for urgent renewals.

Impact on budgets and organisations

• The material frames the increase as modest when spread over time — $422 over 10 years works out to about ~$42/year.
• Corporate travel budgets are expected to absorb the higher price.
  • Global mobility managers face roughly ~4% line-item hikes for executive and frequent-traveller passports.
• Industry groups are pushing for bulk rebates, while DFAT maintains a user-pays model.

Hidden costs and risks

The material highlighted additional costs and disruptions that factor into renewal decisions:

• 30,000+ passports were lost or stolen abroad in 2025, with Italy, Spain and France listed as top locations for incidents.
• Travel insurance is flagged as critical for budgeting for disruptions, including evacuations; North America claims were described as reaching seven figures.
• Replacing a passport overseas and arranging emergency travel can be costly and disruptive — a factor many weigh against paying for earlier renewal or priority services.

Dual citizenship — “ZZ998” confusion and the correct option

The material addressed confusion about a supposed “ZZ998” visa for dual citizens.

• There is no “ZZ998” subclass in the material.
• The correct relevant instrument is the Subclass 931 Australian Declaratory Visa (ADV).

What the Subclass 931 (ADV) is

• The ADV is an electronic record, not a physical visa or sticker.
• It links Australian citizenship to a foreign passport for dual nationals entering Australia.
• The ADV is available only to Australian citizens.
• It is issued for “compelling reasons” only — not for convenience — and used to prove citizenship when an Australian passport is not available.

Eligibility and application requirements

Eligibility examples and required documents include:

• Eligible applicants include Australian citizen children under 18 (parental consent rules apply).
• Parental consent: Both parents must sign Part D, or applicant must provide a death certificate or court order if one parent is unavailable.
• Adults may qualify if they have compelling reasons to travel regularly on a foreign passport, e.g.:
  • Emergencies preventing use of an Australian passport
  • Travel to a country that does not recognize dual citizenship and where using an Australian passport could risk loss of foreign nationality
• The ADV is not for convenience, time or cost savings, and is not available to non-citizens.

Application process:

1. Submit Form 931 via VFS Global or by post.
2. Provide:
   • Copies of the foreign passport
   • Birth certificate or other evidence of Australian citizenship
   • Name change documents, if applicable
   • Parental identification and consent where relevant
   • A written emergency or compelling statement
3. Once granted, the ADV is usually multiple-entry until the foreign passport expires.

Quickest proof of entry is still an Australian passport.

Citizenship context and cautions

• Australia has permitted dual or multiple citizenship since April 4, 2002; no renunciation is required to hold another nationality.
• However, other countries may impose obligations (e.g., military service, taxation) on dual nationals.
• Dual nationals should check the rules of their other nationality before relying on foreign travel documents.
• Limited Australian consular assistance may apply if the other country does not recognize dual citizenship.
• Security clearances and some government jobs may scrutinise dual citizenship.

Practical intersection: passport fee rise and ADV guidance

For many travellers, the $422 passport fee rise and the ADV guidance intersect practically:

• The Australian passport remains the simplest and quickest proof of citizenship at the border.
• The ADV is a narrow, administrative alternative for compelling circumstances.
• The January 1, 2026 increase has sharpened attention on:
  • Whether to renew now and lock in $412
  • Whether to accept standard 6-week processing or pay for expedited service
  • Budgeting $500–$700 for urgent renewals to cover extras and avoid being stranded

Key takeaway: With 30,000+ passports lost or stolen abroad in 2025 and additional replacement/agency costs, many travellers are choosing to renew proactively to avoid higher fees and the disruption of urgent renewals — even before the $422 fee takes effect on January 1, 2026.