William Scott
The Australian Airports Association (AAA) is calling for the Passenger Movement Charge (PMC) to be used more efficiently at the nation’s borders in the future.
The AAA said better and smarter spending of a federal tax paid by all passengers departing Australia could greatly improve the seamless travel experience at airports.
For example, it could be put towards technology to fully digitise the incoming passenger card, bolster kiosks in terminals and drive greater use of biometrics and SmartGates for the Australian Border Force (ABF).
The PMC is now a $70 levy charged by the Federal Government to each passenger on outbound international flights.
But the AAA said only around half of the PMC’s estimated $1.1 billion in annual Commonwealth revenue is spent on border management, despite its strong projected growth due to peak travel.
One of the AAA’s 2025 Federal Election asks is for an additional five per cent of the current PMC to be specifically allocated as funding to address crucial infrastructure upgrades at our international airport gateways.
AAA CEO Simon Westaway, said, “The PMC is a little-known charge that international flyers have to fork out when leaving the country.
“But federal agencies like the ABF aren’t being adequately funded with that money to deliver the most modern global approach for a seamless and safer Australian border.
“We want more PMC funds put directly towards their actual purpose to cover the costs associated with border processing at airports.
“It makes clear sense given the record return of international travel conditions and the need to efficiently facilitate the significant future passenger projections at Australian airports.”
Ahead of the 2025 Federal Election, the AAA is urging all political parties to better address critical issues in the Australian airports sector including:
- Improve seamless travel
- Expand international flights
- Regional aviation support
- Support for mid-sized airports
- Improved government service delivery
- Federally leased airport renewals
- Sustainability and net zero aviation
“With the future of Rex Airlines still uncertain, it is vital sustainable regional air services remain. We’re concerned for our regional airports where air connectivity is under threat and which is a lifeline for these communities,” Mr Westaway said.
“The AAA is asking for an ongoing pledge of $50 million a year for the Regional Airports and Remote Airstrip Upgrade Programs to help close the infrastructure gap in our smaller gateways across Australia.”
Mr Westaway said some of Australia’s regional airports are operating with inadequate facilities and need major investment to uphold world class safety and efficiency standards.
“For example, one of our airport members is still using a World War II-era electrical system that could fail at any time and that’s a big risk for an isolated community.
“Australia’s mid-sized airports also need to be kept in the funding picture and often miss out on government grants simply due to their size and despite their positive growth outlook.
“These airfields should be covered by a federal $25 million Mid-Sized Airport Program to ensure they can better plan and co-participate in essential safety upgrades.”
Mr Westaway said there needs to be more competition embraced in the Australian aviation sector for the benefit of the flying public.
“The Federal Government’s policy suite should keep incentivising for new entrants and a more competitive domestic airline market because competition delivers lower airfares.
“To ensure that passengers are being treated fairly, we’d like to see permanent monitoring of airline pricing and performance by the ACCC extended beyond 2026.
“Bringing forward lease renewal discussions at major airports will also provide greater investment certainty as these federally leased airports near their fourth decade.
“The AAA’s 2025 election recommendations provide a strong and constructive platform for our nation’s leaders to deliver a more efficient, affordable and sustainable aviation system that will benefit Australians in the decades ahead.”
