A new style of Australian passport has incorporated iconic images with latest security technology that will make it very difficult to falsify.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith launched the new passports in Canberra on Thursday.

"Each passport incorporates state-of-the-art technology to help curb identity fraud and possible misuse," he said.

The new travel document contains an electronic chip with personal details of the holder and a device that can detect attempts to fraudulently copy the information stored electronically in the passport.

Each page of the new passport is derived from Australian works of art such as the late aboriginal artist Uta Uta Tjangala's iconic 1981 work Yumari, which is now held by the National Museum.

The artwork and technology combined make this be Australia's most visually impressive and secure passport to date.