Australian passport renewal: how to apply and when

Australian passport renewal is a short job if your old passport is still current, or ran out in the last 12 months. You fill in a renewal form, take it and your old passport to an Australia Post outlet, pay the fee and wait. The Australian Passport Office aims to finish the job within 10 working days, so start well before any trip.

This guide covers who can renew, what it costs, how long it takes and how far ahead to begin.

Sources for this section: Australian Passport Office, Renewing an Australian Passport; Australian Passport Office, Office Turnaround Times.

Who can renew

You can use the short renewal form if you meet all of these tests, as the Passport Office sets them out.

• You are an Australian citizen aged 18 or over.
• You can show your last adult passport at interview. It must be current, or have expired within the past 12 months.
• That passport shows your current personal details.

Some people must use the full new passport application instead. That includes anyone applying for a first adult passport, even if they held a child passport. It also covers anyone whose adult passport expired more than 12 months ago, and anyone whose passport was lost or stolen.

The full form means a longer process. You need a guarantor, two photos and an interview.

Sources for this section: Australian Passport Office, Renewing an Australian Passport; Australian Passport Office, Photograph guidelines.

How to apply

There are two ways to get the renewal form. You can complete it on the passport website, or phone the Australian Passport Information Service on 131 232. If you qualify, the operator posts you a form already filled in with the details the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade holds on you.

You then lodge the form in person at an Australia Post outlet. The Passport Office says most post offices take passport applications. In special cases you can use a passport office instead, after you phone for an appointment. Bring your old passport. The Passport Office says renewal form PC7 does not need the two photos that a new application does.

Overseas, you apply through the nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate. Call them first to check you qualify.

Sources for this section: Australian Passport Office, Renewing an Australian Passport; Australian Passport Office, Where do I apply for an Australian passport; Australian Passport Office, Photograph guidelines.

What it costs

The same fees apply to new and renewed passports. These are the Passport Office's fees from 26 July 2007, and they say the fees can change.

No GST is charged. The fee is paid when you lodge the form and is not refunded. In Australia you can pay by cash, EFTPOS or selected credit cards. A personal cheque delays your passport until it clears.

If you travel often, the 64 page book costs A$100 more but gives you twice the room for visa pages and entry stamps.

Sources for this section: Australian Passport Office, Travel Document application fees (from 26 July 2007).

How long it takes

The Passport Office's service charter aims to issue a passport within 10 working days, not counting delivery. Allow extra time for your form to travel from the post office to a passport office, and for the new passport to come back in the mail.

If you are short of time, you can pay for priority processing. This promises the passport is ready to post within two working days of a passport office getting everything it needs. It costs A$75 on top of the normal fee. You can ask for a refund of that fee if the office misses the two day target. Some cases are not eligible, such as a child's application without the consent of both parents.

The office lists any city that is running behind the 10 day target on its turnaround page, so check it before you apply.

Sources for this section: Australian Passport Office, Office Turnaround Times; Australian Passport Office, Priority Processing Service.

How far ahead to start

Under the rules for passports, an adult passport can be valid for up to 10 years, and a child's for up to 5. Check the date on your passport well before you book flights.

Many countries want more than a few days of validity left on your passport. The Passport Office warns that rules differ and that border officials can refuse entry if your passport has too little time left. It tells travellers to renew first, or to ask the embassy or consulate of the country they plan to visit, or a travel agent. Rules differ from country to country, so ask early.

A good plan is to check your expiry date as soon as you decide to travel. Lodge the renewal form at least a month before you fly. That covers the 10 working days, the post and a little spare time for a mistake on the form.

If you lose your passport, report it as soon as you can. It is an offence not to report a loss or theft. You can report it online or on 131 232 in Australia. You will then need a new full application, an interview and the lost or stolen fee on top of the usual one.

Sources for this section: Australian Passports Determination 2005 (version in force from 26 July 2007), section 5.1; Australian Passport Office, Renewing an Australian Passport; Australian Passport Office, Lost or stolen passport.

Sources

1. Australian Passport Office, Renewing an Australian Passport: passports.gov.au, archived page
2. Australian Passport Office, Travel Document application fees: passports.gov.au, archived page
3. Australian Passport Office, Office Turnaround Times: passports.gov.au, archived page
4. Australian Passport Office, Priority Processing Service: passports.gov.au, archived page
5. Australian Passport Office, Photograph guidelines: passports.gov.au, archived page
6. Australian Passport Office, Where do I apply for an Australian passport: passports.gov.au, archived page
7. Australian Passport Office, Lost or stolen passport: passports.gov.au, archived page
8. Australian Passports Determination 2005, version from 26 July 2007: legislation.gov.au