Latest News About Aussie Overseas Travel Fee Change

Short answer: Yes. Australia has increased the Passenger Movement Charge (PMC) for departures, with the rate rising to AU$80 from AU$70, effective January 1 next year, as part of the 2026-27 federal budget.

Details:

• What changed: Departure tax for international air/sea travelers increased by AU$10, from AU$70 to AU$80 per passenger. This applies to all departures from Australia, regardless of destination or passenger status, though a six-month transition period applies for tickets purchased before the change. [Source coverage from Australian media around May 11–12, 2026] [cite ]
• Why it matters: The PMC funds border management and biosecurity efforts, but industry groups warn the increase will raise travel costs for Australians and could impact tourism competitiveness. Families traveling together will feel the cost more due to higher per-passenger fees. [cite ][cite ]
• Related context: Similar travel-cost adjustments have previously appeared in Australian budgets, often alongside other visa and border-related fees. Travelers planning overseas trips should budget for the higher PMC in 2026–27. [cite ][cite ]

If you’d like, I can pull the exact official Budget note or summarize reactions from Australian tourism bodies and airlines, and I can provide a quick calculation of the added cost for a given trip (e.g., for a family of four).