Australian passport fee rises to AUD 422 from 1 January 2026
New cash-acceptance law offers payment certainty for visiting travellers
Beijing slashes Chinese visa fees in Australia through end-2026
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Australian passport price rises to AU$422 from 1 January 2026
From 1 January 2026 the cost of a 10-year Australian passport rises to AU$422, with children’s and senior passports increasing to AU$213. DFAT says the CPI-linked hike keeps the program self-funded, but employers may need to adjust travel budgets or bring forward renewals.
Transit-visa denial costs Indian couple ₹1 lakh, exposes layover risks for Australia-bound travellers
A viral social-media post shows how a double transit-visa refusal cost an Indian couple almost AU$18,000 and forced them to cancel a New Zealand trip. The story highlights stricter risk screening on Australia’s subclass 771 visa and the need for travellers and mobility managers to factor visa lead-times into flight planning.
Australian Defence Vessel Reliant departs Townsville to strengthen Pacific border security
ADV Reliant has left Townsville on a three-month swing through five Pacific islands to install customs and immigration facilities, deliver patrol-boat spares and train local officers. The mission strengthens regional border security and will streamline future passenger processing for Australian businesses operating in the Pacific.
Permanent migration cap stays at 185,000 for 2025-26 amid New-Year policy tweaks
Canberra has held the 2025-26 permanent migration cap at 185,000 places, maintaining a strong focus on skilled entrants. The decision, announced with other 1 January policy adjustments, provides certainty for employers but reignites debate over housing and wage impacts.