On 1/1/2025 at 3:46 PM, spidermike007 said:

Friends of mine tell me they pay $250 for breakfast when they take their family out to a modest restaurant. I think it would appear that Australia is one of the world's most expensive countries with an economy that's completely out of control, perhaps second only to the US. 

Expensive? YES!

 

I was visiting in the Northern beaches area above Sydney. 

 

Friends asked me to join them for lunch at a local seafood restaurant. A local, part of the discussion, whispered 'a seafood platter for one person at that restaurant is AUD180-'.

 

I quickly made an excuse to withdraw from the 'event'. 

3 hours ago, scorecard said:

Expensive? YES!

 

I was visiting in the Northern beaches area above Sydney. 

 

Friends asked me to join them for lunch at a local seafood restaurant. A local, part of the discussion, whispered 'a seafood platter for one person at that restaurant is AUD180-'.

 

I quickly made an excuse to withdraw from the 'event'. 

In America it's almost mandatory to add 30% for tax and tip, which is really insane. 

 

So a Thai curry at a pretty basic local Thai restaurant, which would cost $28 is really almost $40 which is 1,300 baht. 

Cost of Australian Passports rising again on the 1st Jan 2026.  

 

https://au.news.yahoo.com/australian-passport-fee-set-to-rise-again-on-january-1-233120158.html

On 12/30/2024 at 10:21 AM, KhunHeineken said:

$412 for a 32 page passport.  What a rip off. 

My employer pays for my passports, so the cost doesn't bother me. 

 

I have 2 aussie passports (1 concurrent). 

 

What annoys me we can NO LONGER get a 64 page 

 

Who's idea was it to remove the 64 page passport 😡

7 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

My employer pays for my passports, so the cost doesn't bother me. 

Will you be employed forever?  

 

8 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I have 2 aussie passports (1 concurrent). 

What's the point about mentioning an expired passport?  

 

8 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

What annoys me we can NO LONGER get a 64 page 

I believe the government stated 64 page passports were declining in demand because of eVisas etc.  I think that's rubbish.  Stamps at immigration fill up a 32 page passport very quickly if you travel around the region frequently, as I do.  

 

11 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Who's idea was it to remove the 64 page passport

Not sure which political party stopped the 64 page passport.  It's just another revenue raiser.  There would be quite a few people needing a new passport every 3, 5, 7 years, rather than one every 10 years because it has 64 pages.  

10 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Will you be employed forever?  

Who knows? 

 

10 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

What's the point about mentioning an expired passport

2 active passports.

Not expired.... CONCURRENT 

 

10 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

believe the government stated 64 page passports were declining in demand because of eVisas etc.  I think that's rubbish.  Stamps at immigration fill up a 32 page passport very quickly if you travel around the region frequently, as I do.  

Thank you 

 

10 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Not sure which political party stopped the 64 page passport.  It's just another revenue raiser.  There would be quite a few people needing a new passport every 3, 5, 7 years, rather than one every 10 years because it has 64 pages.  

Crikey 

 

I travel internationally every month. 

43 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Who knows? 

Well, nobody wants to die working.  

 

44 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

2 active passports.

Not expired.... CONCURRENT 

One can't be far away from expiry.  

 

44 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Thank you 

Welcome.

 

45 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I travel internationally every month. 

So do many FIFO workers.  

 

It's just a revenue raiser.  I don't believe for one minute it was due to declining demand.  

7 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Well, nobody wants to die working.  

I'm still middle aged. 

I'm not an old grumpy guy 

 

7 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

One can't be far away from expiry.  

You don't understand concurrent passports and how they work. 

 

I can educate you. 

 

7 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

So do many FIFO workers

Aussie FIFO workers mainly travel domestically. 

 

I'm Different to Aussie FIFO workers, I work offshore oil drilling rig. 

Not mining 

 

I used to like reading your comments, but it seems you are clueless. 

 

What happened to you, please explain. 

 

Just now, SAFETY FIRST said:

I'm still middle aged. 

I'm not an old grumpy guy 

 

I'm still middle aged and a self funded retiree.  I didn't want to die working.  

 

2 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

You don't understand concurrent passports and how they work. 

 

I can educate you. 

Like I said, one can't be far away from expiring.  

 

https://www.passports.gov.au/concurrent

 

"A concurrent passport costs the same as a standard passport but is only valid for up to 3 years."

 

 

4 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Aussie FIFO workers mainly travel domestically. 

Sure, but I have met a lot of FIFO Aussie workers in South East Asia, meanwhile, they are negative gearing a house / houses back in Australia, with the tax payer helping to pay it / them off.  

 

6 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I'm Different to Aussie FIFO workers, I work offshore oil drilling rig. 

Not mining 

Same Same.  A month rotation is a month rotation.  Fills up a 32 page passport pretty quick.     

3 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Sure, but I have met a lot of FIFO Aussie workers in South East Asia, meanwhile, they are negative gearing a house / houses back in Australia, with the tax payer helping to pay it / them off.  

Yes, lots of FIFO workers travel abroad for leisure but if they reside outside Australia (non resident) not eligible for negative gearing.

 

5 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Like I said, one can't be far away from expiring.  

 

https://www.passports.gov.au/concurrent

 

"A concurrent passport costs the same as a standard passport but is only valid for up to 3 years."

You seem clued up talking to Google. 

 

I'm wasting my time here. 

 

Good night 

13 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Yes, lots of FIFO workers travel abroad for leisure but if they reside outside Australia (non resident) not eligible for negative gearing.

Who said they reside outside Australia?  They just have frequent one month holidays.  

 

Just another reason for the proposed changes to tax residency laws, but that in another thread.  

 

14 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

You seem clued up talking to Google. 

It's the Australia Passport Office official government website.  

 

Now, if you are doing something untoward, perhaps even illegal, best not to "educate" on a public forum.  

 

17 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I'm wasting my time here. 

Yes, you are.  

 

Best "educate" yourself on the law.

17 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Who said they reside outside Australia?  They just have frequent one month holidays.  

 

Just another reason for the proposed changes to tax residency laws, but that in another thread.  

 

It's the Australia Passport Office official government website.  

 

Now, if you are doing something untoward, perhaps even illegal, best not to "educate" on a public forum.  

 

Yes, you are.  

 

Best "educate" yourself on the law.

You've become your typical AN forum antagonizer. 

 

17 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Who said they reside outside Australia?  They just have frequent one month holidays.  

 

Just another reason for the proposed changes to tax residency laws, but that in another thread.  

The tax laws changed back around 2007, you can't spend months outside Australia and still be a resident. 

 

Please, go away, annoy someone else, you don't know what you are talking about. 

 

I've been working offshore oil rigs for decades. 

 

You keep talking FIFO. 

 

I'm not a FIFO worker

 

Like I said earlier, your comments were always worth reading but you've gone strange 

20 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

You've become your typical AN forum antagonizer. 

That comment says more about you than me.  

 

20 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

The tax laws changed back around 2007, you can't spend months outside Australia and still be a resident. 

I live in Thailand.  I derive my income from Australia.  I have never paid 1 cent in non resident tax.  This is because I use a current loophole, and by maintaining a domicile in Australia, and an appearance of having the "intention" of returning, I can still be classed as a resident for tax purposes.  Eg.  have a house, car, utility bills, bank accounts, sim card, club memberships, friends, family etc.  Basically, not severed ties with Australia.

 

There are proposed changes to the current 90 year tax residency laws that, if / when passed, will see Australia move to a physical presence and time based model, not unlike many other countries, then, as I have read the proposed changes, expats will either have to do 45 days in Australia every year, or be prepared to pay 30% non resident tax, and this will include pensioners as well, as the pension is deemed an income. 

 

20 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

You keep talking FIFO. 

 

I'm not a FIFO worker

I never said you were. 

 

20 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Like I said earlier, your comments were always worth reading but you've gone strange 

It takes one to know one.    

The cost of an Australian passport is insane compared to the rest of the world.

My son just got his Thai passport this week and the the cost ฿1540 for a 10 year passport and the efficiency of the Thai passport office is unbelievable. Applied on Wednesday 1045 and passport arrived by Thai Post on Friday at 1415 of this week.

Australia is totally inefficient compared to Thailand

17 hours ago, ozfarang said:

The cost of an Australian passport is insane compared to the rest of the world.

My son just got his Thai passport this week and the the cost ฿1540 for a 10 year passport and the efficiency of the Thai passport office is unbelievable. Applied on Wednesday 1045 and passport arrived by Thai Post on Friday at 1415 of this week.

Australia is totally inefficient compared to Thailand

The $189 overseas surcharge is just outrageous.

1 hour ago, Will27 said:

The $189 overseas surcharge is just outrageous.

Agreed.

Recently submitted my renewal application online - $611 for a new passport to be posted to me in Thailand.

The most expensive passport in the world has also dropped a place on the Henley Passport Index.

https://travelweekly.com.au/aussie-passport-loses-power-in-global-ranking/

Tell us something we don't know.

And they haven't even included the ridiculous overseas surcharge of $189.00

https://www.theage.com.au/traveller/reviews-and-advice/our-passport-is-the-world-s-most-expensive-we-re-getting-ripped-off-20260417-p5zou0.html

9 hours ago, Will27 said:

Tell us something we don't know.

And they haven't even included the ridiculous overseas surcharge of $189.00

https://www.theage.com.au/traveller/reviews-and-advice/our-passport-is-the-world-s-most-expensive-we-re-getting-ripped-off-20260417-p5zou0.html

The NSW driving licence is even bigger rip off. I paid at the beginning of the last year $220 for 5 years. Now is $228. That's for a simple plastic card which doesn't have any chip in it.

On 4/20/2026 at 10:29 AM, gearbox said:

The NSW driving licence is even bigger rip off. I paid at the beginning of the last year $220 for 5 years. Now is $228. That's for a simple plastic card which doesn't have any chip in it.

NSW Shooter's License the same.

On 4/20/2026 at 5:29 PM, gearbox said:

The NSW driving licence is even bigger rip off. I paid at the beginning of the last year $220 for 5 years. Now is $228. That's for a simple plastic card which doesn't have any chip in it.

Just renewed my WA drivers licence. Cost $0.

But I'm an old chap

On 4/20/2026 at 5:29 PM, gearbox said:

The NSW driving licence is even bigger rip off. I paid at the beginning of the last year $220 for 5 years. Now is $228. That's for a simple plastic card which doesn't have any chip in it.

I renewed my Australian passport about 6 weeks ago.

Total cost 13,800Baht 13,800Baht which includes all possible international charges etc. (Paid by local credit card, no extra charges.)

Made a booking with the Bkk Australian embassy consular team in advance. Held at Marriott hotel CM, very pleasant team, good listeners, clear explanations. Spoke to them by phone before the appointment and got clear advice about photo format (JPeg).

Appointment at CM Marriott all done is 20 minutes.

New passport arrrived at my house in CM 3 weks later. very

43 minutes ago, scorecard said:

I renewed my Australian passport about 6 weeks ago.

Total cost 13,800Baht which includes all possible international charges etc. (Paid by local credit card, no extra charges.)

Made a booking with the Bkk Australian embassy consular team in advance. Held at Marriott hotel CM, very pleasant team, good listeners, clear explanations. Spoke to them by phone before the appointment and got clear advice about photo format (JPeg).

Appointment at CM Marriott all done is 20 minutes.

New passport arrrived at my house in CM 3 weks later.

9 hours ago, scorecard said:

I renewed my Australian passport about 6 weeks ago.

Total cost 13,800Baht 13,800Baht which includes all possible international charges etc. (Paid by local credit card, no extra charges.)

Made a booking with the Bkk Australian embassy consular team in advance. Held at Marriott hotel CM, very pleasant team, good listeners, clear explanations. Spoke to them by phone before the appointment and got clear advice about photo format (JPeg).

Appointment at CM Marriott all done is 20 minutes.

New passport arrrived at my house in CM 3 weks later. very

As you're in CM, did you have to make a special trip to Bkk?

If so, why didn't you apply online?

1 minute ago, scorecard said:

45 minutes ago, scorecard said:

I renewed my Australian passport about 6 weeks ago.

5 hours ago, Will27 said:

As you're in CM, did you have to make a special trip to Bkk?

If so, why didn't you apply online?

5 hours ago, Will27 said:

As you're in CM, did you have to make a special trip to Bkk?

If so, why didn't you apply online?

Because I couldn't download the renewal application form. I called the embassy and spoke to a consular official, she mentioned there are problems with this download, also mentioned about the upcoming outreach on 1 Apr, also asked if renewal is urgent. I indicated not urgent, she then suggested I make an outreach booking for 1 Apr., and inform her I had a booking.

I did that, she then offered to complete the renewal application and bring it with her to the outreach booking. I agreed.

At the outreach i completed the application and signed the form and paid the total fee.

All done. I received my new passport 3 weeks later.

i

On 5/25/2026 at 1:22 PM, scorecard said:

Total cost 13,800Baht 13,800Baht

Bargain. 🤣

On 9/29/2025 at 1:27 PM, scorecard said:

Expensive? YES!

 

I was visiting in the Northern beaches area above Sydney. 

 

Friends asked me to join them for lunch at a local seafood restaurant. A local, part of the discussion, whispered 'a seafood platter for one person at that restaurant is AUD180-'.

 

I quickly made an excuse to withdraw from the 'event'. 

Tough choice between hot and cold so I'd be up for the $299.00 combo!

Angelo's On The Bay, Cabarita.

48 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Tough choice between hot and cold so I'd be up for the $299.00 combo!

Angelo's On The Bay, Cabarita.

A bit different to this demographic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU6_psHfYs4