Australia Departure Tax Increase 2026 lifts charge to $80 from 1 January 2027
The federal budget will lift the australia departure tax increase 2026 by $10, taking the passenger movement charge from $70 to $80 from 1 January 2027. Everyone leaving Australia after that date will pay the higher amount, whether they travel by air or sea.
The change was introduced in the federal budget on Tuesday night and will apply regardless of when a ticket was booked. The government expects the increase to raise an extra $755 million over five years.
Passenger movement charge
The passenger movement charge is an exit tax levied on every person leaving Australia except in special circumstances. It is typically included in international airfare at the point of sale and often appears on the receipt after purchase, so many travellers will see it before they reach the airport or port.
At $27 in 1995, the charge has climbed steadily and is now described as a near 200 per cent increase since its introduction in 1995. The charge was introduced under the Keating government and is an updated version of the departure tax brought in in 1978 to recoup passenger-processing costs at Australia’s air and sea ports.
Who pays in 2027
The higher charge will apply to anyone departing the country after 1 January 2027, including Australians and tourists. That includes travellers who have already bought tickets before the effective date, since the budget measure is tied to departure date rather than purchase date.
The toll is paid whether the trip leaves by air or sea, and some travellers remain exempt, including children under 11, foreign military, airline staff, and people who unintentionally arrive in Australia for reasons beyond their control. Passengers are also entitled to a refund if their departure does not occur for a variety of reasons.
Budget change and receipts
For travellers, the practical effect is simple: the exit fee becomes $80 from the start of 2027, adding $10 to the cost of leaving Australia after that date. Because the charge is usually folded into the ticket price, the increase is most likely to show up in the amount paid at booking or on the receipt rather than as a separate step at the airport.
The immediate question for anyone planning an overseas trip is the date of departure, not the date of purchase. A booking made before 1 January 2027 will still carry the higher charge if the traveller leaves after that day.
