A travel charge most Australians don't know they pay is rising again
The budget included a further increase on a long-standing hidden tax affecting Australian travellers.
www.sbs.com.auHere’s the latest on Australia’s Passenger Movement Charge (PMC) increases.
Answer
- The PMC, charged on departures from Australia, was raised from $60 to $70 per passenger effective 1 July 2024. A further increase to $80 is planned for January 2027, lifting the exit fee by $10 for all travelers leaving the country. This is in line with inflation considerations and is expected to boost government revenues from travel-related taxes [source: government measures and industry reporting]. Note: different outlets may echo the same policy in slightly different phrasing, but the core changes are as above.
Key details
- What is the PMC: A levy applied to passengers departing Australia by air or sea, payable by all travelers regardless of destination or return plans.
- 2024 change: Increased from $60 to $70 per passenger starting 1 July 2024.
- 2027 change: In budget papers, the PMC is scheduled to rise from $70 to $80 from 1 January 2027, affecting everyone departing Australia after that date.
- Revenue impact: The government and industry analyses project additional revenue from the PMC as part of broader border management and travel-related funding; some industry groups have expressed concern about potential effects on travel demand and tourism.
What this means for travelers
- If you’re booking a trip now and plan to depart after 1 July 2024, the PMC will be $70 per passenger.
- For departures after 1 January 2027, the fee will be $80 per passenger.
- The PMC applies to both Australian residents and international travelers leaving Australia.
Illustration
- Example: A family of four departing Australia after 1 January 2027 would face an additional $320 in PMC charges (4 x $80).
Would you like me to pull the most current official wording from the government budget papers or tailor this to a specific travel plan (dates, flight routes, number of travelers)? I can also summarize how different travel industry groups view the change and potential tourism impacts.