Australia's Cruise Industry Calls for Regulatory Stability Amid Declining Passenger Numbers

The Australian cruise industry is calling for stabilized regulations and costs to grow the market. According to the Australian Paddock to Port Alliance, Australia is the fourth-largest overall cruise market, with cruise lines spending A$1.5 billion annually in Australia. The industry supports over 22,000 jobs and contributes more than A$7.3 billion annually to the economy.

However, despite a strong demand for cruising, the number of passengers has been declining. In 2025, 1.45 million Australians took a cruise, which was up 9.5 percent from the previous year, largely driven by shorter duration cruising. The majority of these cruises were to New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Cruise lines have complained about regulatory uncertainties and rising costs in Australia, making it less competitive as a destination. For example, costs in Sydney are up to twice as much as Miami, and cruise lines can find significantly lower-cost ports elsewhere in Asia. The Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012 requires cruise lines to file for permits, which need to be renewed every one or two years, making long-term planning difficult.