The price is steep, but the power is fading: how an Australian passport stacks up

It's still the world's most expensive but what does that get you?

A traveller hands over an Australian passport. Picture: Shutterstock

Updated August 26, 2025, first published August 21, 2025

Australia's passport has been the most expensive in the world for two years, but is it worth the premium?

New research by Compare the Market Australia shows that a price hike in January 2025 brought the cost for a 10-year document to $412.

In early 2024, the price was $346 before it rose to $398 later in the year.

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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) would not be drawn on why the Aussie passport is so expensive compared to its peers, other than to say it is a well-respected, quality travel document with visa-free access to a number of countries.

But many countries have more visa-free access than Aussies, which we'll get to later.

The research shows Australia is one of nine nations that have had a passport price increase in 2025, out of 23 countries analysed.

What other countries are charging

Compare the Market found Mexico came in with the second most-expensive passport, charging $335.95 for 10 years, the USA was in third place at $251.21, and New Zealand was fourth with a 10-year passport costing $225.62.

At the other end of the spectrum, India offers the cheapest passport at only $26.63 for 10 years, followed by Brazil at $49.19, South Africa at $50.85 and Spain at $53.33 for 10 years.

Power versus price

Australia's passport is the most expensive in the world but it is by no means the most powerful.

That accolade goes to Singapore with visa-free access to 193 countries, according to Henley's July passport index.

Australians, in comparison, gain visa-free access to 185 countries, making their passports equal seventh-most-powerful in line with Czechia, Hungary, Malta and Poland.

An "arrivals" sign at an airport. Picture: Shutterstock

Australia's passport fell one place since the last index in January and was beaten by 21 countries including Japan, South Korea, Germany, the UK and New Zealand.

Compare the Market's data showed Aussies were paying $2.23 per visa-free country - yet again, the most expensive. In comparison, UK citizens paid $1.04 per country, and Spain, Brazil, Poland and Malaysia are among the best-value passports for travelling abroad without a visa, each coming in at around $0.40 or less per country.

The official explanation

DFAT said passports go up in price every January with the annual Consumer Price Index. But that only explains one of the two price hikes since 2024.

"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," a spokesperson told Explore.

"This is a key reason why Australian passport holders receive visa-free access to over 180 countries."

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.