Australia Passenger Movement Charge Increase lifts exit fee to $80
Australia passenger movement charge increase will lift the exit fee from $70 to $80 from 1 January 2027. The $10 rise applies to everyone leaving Australia after that date, whether they booked their ticket before or after the budget change.
The federal budget introduced the change on Tuesday night, and the government expects it to raise an additional $755 million over the next five years. The charge is paid by passengers leaving by air or sea, with limited exemptions for children under 11, foreign military, airline staff and people who unintentionally arrive in Australia for reasons beyond their control.
Passenger Movement Charge rules
The passenger movement charge is an exit tax on every person leaving the country, except in special circumstances. Travellers can also receive a refund if their departure does not happen for a range of reasons. The fee is usually built into international airfare at the point of sale and often appears on the receipt after purchase, so many passengers see it only after booking.
The increase follows a long climb from $27 in 1995. The charge itself traces back to the departure tax brought in in 1978 to recoup costs linked to passenger processing at Australia’s air and sea ports.
Budget change from Tuesday night
The rise means a higher cost for Australians and visitors departing the country after 1 January 2027, regardless of when they bought the ticket. Industry bodies have said they are upset about the increase and that it could dissuade travellers from booking journeys.
At $80, the departure tax remains one of the highest in the world, and the new rate gives airlines and booking systems more than a year to display the higher charge before it takes effect. Passengers with already booked travel should check the date of departure rather than the purchase date, because the higher fee turns on when they leave Australia, not when they buy the ticket.
