Thinking about travelling overseas for the first time in a few years? In this guide, we’ll take you through the process of renewing, replacing and obtaining an Australian passport.
If you’re like many Australians who held back on renewing their passport to avoid wasting money in a time when they couldn’t fly, now may be the time to get prepared. Make sure to read this article and get your passport sorted before you book your next flights.
General passport information
Here are some common questions travellers have about getting new passports or applying for a passport renewal. Getting a new passport is an exciting experience. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of blank passport pages begging you to stamp them. You can find more information about passports on Smart Traveller.
Please note: all information was correct as of 18 December 2021.
You have two options when it comes to applying for an Australian passport: adult and child.
Anyone under 18 years old is eligible for a child passport. These generally have to be applied for by a parent or guardian, but there are some exceptions for people who are married or live independently.
Adult passports are valid for ten years, but those aged 75 or over can apply for a five-year passport renewal.
There are eight passport offices in Australia. Unless you are going to pick up a passport, you need to make an appointment before attending. These passport offices are in:
Adelaide
Brisbane
Canberra
Darwin
Hobart
Melbourne
Perth
Sydney
Full addresses and opening hours can be found on DFAT.gov.au.
If you’re applying from overseas, you’ll need to go to an embassy or consulate. These are normally in a country’s capital city, but you can find a full list of international embassies and consulates on DFAT.gov.au.
Passport fees
Different Australian passports have different costs. Find out how much you’ll have to pay when you apply for your next one.
A ten-year passport for an adult costs $301. This is the same for a brand new application and a passport renewal. Australians over 75 only have the option of a five-year passport which costs $152.
There are additional or other fees that you may be charged. You can pay $189 for a replacement passport if it has two or more years validity on it. An emergency overseas passport costs $189 while a standard overseas surcharge is $135.
Priority processing costs $220.
Following recent disasters, those who have been a victim of flooding or bushfires may be eligible for a free replacement.
All fees are paid when you lodge your application. For the latest fees, consult the Passport Fees page of DFAT.
A child’s passport in Australia costs $152 and is valid for five years. Ifyou apply overseas, there’s a $66 surcharge. Priority processing for a child’s passport is also $220.
Children aged 16 or 17 can pay $301 for a ten-year passport.
When you need a passport
Many of us take a passport to the airport by default, but which flights need one? And will you need it beforehand?
In Australia, you do not need a passport for domestic flights, but you do need a form of valid ID. This can be your passport, but you can use another form of ID like your driving license.
As well as needing a passport to step onto an international flight, many carriers now require you to enter your passport details when booking a flight.
If you’ve already booked a flight and you get a replacement passport, you will be able to update your details with the airline.
Some countries require six months of passport validity. Find out which so you can be sure to renew in time.
Lost and stolen passports
Losing your passport when you need it most is a traveller’s worst nightmare. Find out what to do when you can’t find your passport.
If you can’t find your passport – either because it’s lost or it’s stolen – you should report it immediately. You can do this by calling 131 232 or by visiting your closest Australian passport office. You may need to make an appointment.
To replace your passport, you can start your application online at passports.gov.au.
Losing a passport overseas can be a hassle, but knowing that you should visit your nearest embassy or consulate service is a good first step towards your passport renewal. You will also need to pay the $189 overseas replacement fee and the overseas surcharge fee ($135 for adults, $66 for children).
Passport renewal
Find out how, where and when to apply for a new passport.
Passport applications can be started online at passports.gov.au but you must complete the process in person. This can be done at an Australian Post Office or at a consulate. If you are overseas, you may have to travel to your nearest Australian Embassy.
You cannot renew your Australian passport online. Although you can begin your passport application online to save time, all passport applications have to be lodged in person. This ensures a high level of security for Australia and allows us access to visa-free travel in many parts of the world.
Timeframes for new passports
Need a passport in a hurry? Find out how long passport renewal takes and how much it costs to speed up the process.
Passport renewal generally takes up to three weeks. That’s the case whether the old one has expired, been lost or been stolen.
However, in some cases, you may be able to pay an extra fee of $220 to speed up the service. So long as you have all your documents in place, this service takes just two business days.
As long as you’re in Australia, you can pay a $220 surcharge to ensure that your passport renewal is completed in two business days. You can then pick it up from your nearest passport office or wait for it to be posted to you (in around one week).
While you can renew your passport at any time, doing it too early will mean you pay before you really need to. To keep your travel options active, you should aim to complete passport renewal applications at 9-12 months before it’s due to expire as some countries require at least six months of validity.
Passports can be renewed once they’ve expired, but only within three years of their expiry date.
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