Australians have access to one of the most powerful passports in the world, according to the latest instalment of one of the most authoritative ranking systems, but getting your hands has taken time in recent years.
In July, the Henley Passport Index updated its standings for 2023, placing Australia inside the top ten for the 18th consecutive year and even pushing us up a couple of spots since the last instalment.
Making things even better, the huge delays that hit the Australian Passport Office (APO) after international borders reopened following COVID-19 restrictions have now abated, meaning wait times are back to normal.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) has also introduced a new R Series passport into circulation, which promises increased security features.
DFAT said the introduction of the new passport series would not increase wait times.
And the death of Queen Elizabeth II means King Charles III will now need to be featured on the Commonwealth document instead.
Here's everything we know about Australian passport rankings – including the countries you can travel to without a visa – as well as wait times, the new R series passport, and when King Charles III will feature on the document.
How powerful is an Australian passport?
According to the Henley Passport Index, Australia's is the sixth-most powerful passport in the world, a position it shares with Hungary and Poland.
It's actually a move up the rankings for Australia – our passport was previously ranked equal-eighth, and it has gained one extra visa-free destination since last year.
The rankings are slightly misleading, as there are actually 22 passports rated higher than ours. The index groups countries together in tiers when ranking them, so, for example, there are three second-best passports, seven in third place, and four fourth-ranked ones.
The Henley Passport Index ranks nations with a simple points system, where a passport is given a single point for every country it allows travel to without requiring a visa or other government approval before departing.
Revealed: The most powerful passports in the world
What is the most powerful passport in the world?
Coming in at number one in the Henley Passport Index is Singapore, whose passport provides visa-free travel to 192 countries.
The Asian nation is a newcomer to the top spot – previously Japan was ranked number one, a position it held from 2018-2023.
Germany, Italy and Spain share second spot with 190 visa-free destinations, while Japan now shares third with six other countries: Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg, South Korea and Sweden.
At the bottom of the list is Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, whose citizens can only travel to 27 countries without a visa.
What countries does an Australian passport give you visa-free travel to?
Australia's passport allows visa-free travel to 186 destinations, according to the Henley Passport Index. You can see the full list on their website.
What are the hardest countries to enter with an Australian passport?
There are 40 destinations for which Australians require a visa before departing.
The majority of them (24) are in Africa, although there are seven Asian nations, including popular tourist destination Vietnam.
You can see the full list at the Henley Passport Index website, and check with DFAT and the relevant consulate or embassy about the entry requirements for a country before travelling there.
How long are wait times for passports?
DFAT is encouraging anyone who is planning to travel in the next six months to apply or renew their passport now, if they need to.
A minimum of six weeks should be allowed, even if you're planning to use the priority passport service.
There were reports of significant delays in processing Australian passport applications and renewals once international borders reopened following COVID-19 restrictions.
However, those delays had subsided by March 2023, when the federal government said the average wait time for passports had fallen from 50 days to a little over week.
"These delays have been rectified," Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts said at the time.
"Newly released data from the APO reveals routine adult passport applications are now being processed within an average of seven business days."
How can I get a passport quickly?
You can pay a priority fee (currently $237, up from $225) for faster service – applications are processed within two business days – when you lodge a passport application with Australia Post.
However, the option is only available for eligible applicants.
Anyone who has had two passports lost or stolen in the last five years, or who is having trouble proving their identity, is not eligible to pay the priority processing fee. The same goes for children who don't have full parental permission for their application.
Someone urgently needing a passport for "compassionate or compelling reasons" can call the APO to make an appointment at their local office.
The worst 10 airports for flight delays around the world
Why is there a new passport and how is it different?
DFAT has released Australia's next-generation passport, the R Series, which began rolling out in September 2022 and now makes up all newly issued passports.
DFAT said it's more secure than the P Series, which has been Australia's passport model since 2014.
"In an Australian first, the R Series has a high-security photo page made of layered plastic, making the passport harder to forge and less susceptible to damage," DFAT said.
"The visa pages show 17 iconic Australian landscapes in spectacular true colour."
The new passport is to "protect passport holders' identity and personal information to the highest possible standards".
It has more security features to prevent counterfeiting and identify theft.
Do I need to replace my old passport?
No, your passport will still be valid and highly secure until it expires.
However it is important to check the entry requirements of the country you are travelling to.
Many foreign governments require travellers to carry passports with at least six months' validity beyond their planned stay.
Why is it called the 'R series'?
It is the first letter in the document number (the passport number).
Does the R series passport cost more?
No. The fees are the same as the old passport.
For a standard adult passport with 10 years validity, it will cost $308.
Additional fees may apply for priority processing, overseas surcharges and other document identity services.
Will the R series passport mention King Charles III?
While DFAT said it would not initially reference the new king on the governor-general's page, King Charles III will get a mention on Australian passports sooner or later.
"There are long lead times for making blank passports, and pages for more than one million R Series had already been printed before the death of Her Majesty the Queen," DFAT said.
"We will exhaust existing stock before issuing passports with revised text that reflects the accession of His Majesty King Charles III."
In July, the United Kingdom began printing passports that mentioned "His Majesty" for the first time.
Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.
