Major problem with new $398 Australian passport exposed: 'What happened?'

Aussies lucky enough to be planning an overseas trip, who have secured a new passport, have expressed their disappointment over changes made to the pricey $398 document. Many have complained of it being of poorer quality than previous versions — which some fear could prove problematic while travelling.

One common complaint is that the cover of the R series passport, which has replaced the P series, appears to bend easily, even before much use, sparking concern among many that it might not last the 10 intended years, despite now being "the world's most expensive" passport.

Aussies hit with passport price hikes

Before the price hikes this year, an adult Australian passport cost $325 over 10 years before jumping to $346 in January when standard indexation was applied. Then on July 1, prices increased again to $398 — a price hike of about 15 per cent or $50.

At the time, shadow foreign affairs minister Simon Birmingham said the increase meant Australians would be paying for the "world’s most expensive passport" ahead of Mexico at A$346 and the United States at a modest $252.

Singapore, one of the world's most powerful passports, is just $78 while New Zealanders pay NZD$206 for their passports — that's roughly A$185.

So understandably, Australians are left wondering how best to maintain the shape of the 'flimsy' R series passports' — which are designed to last up to 10 years — considering the 'poor quality' of the new design.

Complaints over 'flimsy' new passport design

While some are just discovering the new designs for the first time, the R series has been in circulation since September, 2022. However, P Series passports, which preceded the R Series, remain highly secure travel documents and can continue to be used until they expire.

Aussie woman Greta recently shared her excitement over ordering a new passport. Her first impression was that it looked "epic" with its brand new design which features images of iconic landmarks throughout. But within days, she posted a video on TikTok explaining it was already starting to lose its shape, despite not yet even leaving the country.

"I recently got the new Australian passport. I was very excited," she explained on social media this week. "But then I had a few people tell me I had to put a paperweight on it because it bends".

"You're not wrong," she said after noticing the 'curving' nature of the cover. "This is the new passport versus the old one," she added, comparing the two side by side.

"This passport is brand new. It has not seen a different country. This passport is 10 years old, it's been around," she said. "Considering this is one of the world's most expensive passports, what happened?"

Fear over passports being rejected at airports

Many in the comments expressed concerns over it being "rejected" at some airports, as the "bendy" cover could easily be mistaken as "damaged".

Previously, Australian travellers have been denied entry into some countries over slight damage to their passports, including Sydney woman Madelaine who was denied her $2,000 Bali trip over a small tear in the stitching.

According to the Australian Passport Office, serious passport damage can stop you from travelling. But the website states: "Normal wear and tear should not be a problem." Aussie travellers are urged to keep passports "intact and in good condition".

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Passport office says there's nothing to worry about

However, addressing "curling" concerns on its website, the passport office said there's nothing to be worried about.

"You may notice a slight curling on the cover of your R Series passport. This occasionally occurs due to changes in humidity," it reads.

The same issue has been noted with some New Zealand passports which are likely made from the same material.

"It's not a manufacturing defect and doesn't affect the validity of your passport," the passport office continued. "Keeping your passport tightly secured will help prevent this curling. For example, you can use an envelope or passport holder to store and protect your passport between use."

Passport problem 'a bit of a joke'

Previously, other travellers echoed Greta's concerns with an Aussie living in Ireland complaining about his new passport. One said "it's a bit of a joke" while others called it "disappointing".

"After having it for a while, the cover is extremely flimsy," the Aussie, who was at the time living in Ireland, said. "[It's] gotten irreparably bent on both the front and back cover as well as many of the pages being bent as well."

He went on to say "the front cover isn’t as rigid as I’d like it to be" adding, "for such a new passport, I expected a bit better.

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