Discover the 'secret' detail inside Australia's new passports!
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Australian travellers are ready to get their hands on a brand-new series of passports that feature pictures of iconic landscapes and animals native to the country, but there’s one surprise hiding inside that you might have missed.
These cute images are not just for show.
Australia is entering a high-tech era with its latest and greatest security feature: the new ‘R Series’ passport.
This new passport is being called an 'Australia first' for its advanced security features, which make it more difficult to forge and less likely to be damaged.
According to the Australian Passport Office’s notice, the ‘R Series’ passports are packed with advanced security features designed to keep passport holders’ identities safe. This includes the ‘secret’ Australian animals which only emerge when the passport is held under ultraviolet light. The illustrations are by Indigenous Australian artists.
‘Under ultraviolet light, these dayscapes come to life as stunning nightscapes. Each one has a hidden species of native fauna. This design also strengthens the passport's security,’ the Australian Passport Office said on their website.
‘The photo page is made of tough, high-security, layered plastic, known as polycarbonate,’ they continued.
The polycarbonate detail is laser-engraved and not printed with ink. This material is also more durable than laminated paper, making the pages of the passport less susceptible to tears and other minor damages that may cause difficulties for travellers.
In a sample photo provided, the lower left of the holder’s main photo is a raised map of Australia. The second photo appears in a transparent window.
Other windows reveal the passport chip, which is embedded in the page. The passport holder’s picture will appear in colour on the observations page.
The passport has other security features. The wattle on the security features page will change in colour if you hold it at different angles. Under ultraviolet light, the blue elements on the photo page turn bright red. A red and white wattle will appear on the inside front cover, under the Governor-General's message.
However, the upgraded security measures do come with a hefty cost. In 2022, Australian passports cost $308, but this new series will cost $325. This price hike comes after record demand for passports last year, which led to huge blowouts in processing times.
What will stay the same is a mention of the late Queen Elizabeth II on the passport – at least on more than one million ‘R series’ passports yet to be circulated. This is because these copies were already printed before the Queen’s passing. The rest will likely feature King Charles III.
‘We will exhaust existing stock before issuing passports with revised text that reflects the accession of His Majesty King Charles III.’
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade started rolling out the ‘R series’ in stages last year, with some customers continuing to receive the ‘P Series’ passport. However, if you're renewing your passport this year, only the new one will be available.
Did you know that Australia consistently ranks in the top 10 most powerful passports in the world?
The Henley Passport Index analyses its rankings based on how many countries people with certain passports can visit without a visa, but the total score also includes places people can visit with a visa, a visitor’s permit, or an electronic travel authority.
According to their rankings, Australia holds the 8th most powerful passport in the world. If you’re curious to know where your Aussie passport can take you, more details can be found in this article.
Do you have any upcoming passport renewal plans? If so, do you think this is an interesting design? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
These cute images are not just for show.
Australia is entering a high-tech era with its latest and greatest security feature: the new ‘R Series’ passport.
This new passport is being called an 'Australia first' for its advanced security features, which make it more difficult to forge and less likely to be damaged.
Ayers Rock is on the centre pages of the passport. Under ultraviolet light changes to a starry night landscape. Credit: Australian Passport Office
According to the Australian Passport Office’s notice, the ‘R Series’ passports are packed with advanced security features designed to keep passport holders’ identities safe. This includes the ‘secret’ Australian animals which only emerge when the passport is held under ultraviolet light. The illustrations are by Indigenous Australian artists.
‘Under ultraviolet light, these dayscapes come to life as stunning nightscapes. Each one has a hidden species of native fauna. This design also strengthens the passport's security,’ the Australian Passport Office said on their website.
‘The photo page is made of tough, high-security, layered plastic, known as polycarbonate,’ they continued.
The polycarbonate detail is laser-engraved and not printed with ink. This material is also more durable than laminated paper, making the pages of the passport less susceptible to tears and other minor damages that may cause difficulties for travellers.
In a sample photo provided, the lower left of the holder’s main photo is a raised map of Australia. The second photo appears in a transparent window.
The sample of the ‘R Series’ passport’s photo page. Credit: Australian Passport Office
Other windows reveal the passport chip, which is embedded in the page. The passport holder’s picture will appear in colour on the observations page.
The passport has other security features. The wattle on the security features page will change in colour if you hold it at different angles. Under ultraviolet light, the blue elements on the photo page turn bright red. A red and white wattle will appear on the inside front cover, under the Governor-General's message.
However, the upgraded security measures do come with a hefty cost. In 2022, Australian passports cost $308, but this new series will cost $325. This price hike comes after record demand for passports last year, which led to huge blowouts in processing times.
What will stay the same is a mention of the late Queen Elizabeth II on the passport – at least on more than one million ‘R series’ passports yet to be circulated. This is because these copies were already printed before the Queen’s passing. The rest will likely feature King Charles III.
‘We will exhaust existing stock before issuing passports with revised text that reflects the accession of His Majesty King Charles III.’
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade started rolling out the ‘R series’ in stages last year, with some customers continuing to receive the ‘P Series’ passport. However, if you're renewing your passport this year, only the new one will be available.
Did you know that Australia consistently ranks in the top 10 most powerful passports in the world?
The Henley Passport Index analyses its rankings based on how many countries people with certain passports can visit without a visa, but the total score also includes places people can visit with a visa, a visitor’s permit, or an electronic travel authority.
According to their rankings, Australia holds the 8th most powerful passport in the world. If you’re curious to know where your Aussie passport can take you, more details can be found in this article.
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