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Applying for a second Australian passport, also known as a 'concurrent' passport, can be done by completing a B15 Concurrent passport form and lodging it with your initial passport application. This process can be done online or at a participating Australia Post outlet. It is important to note that a concurrent passport is only valid for up to three years and may require additional documentation, such as a cover letter from an employer. The processing time for a concurrent passport is typically a minimum of six weeks, with urgent application options available. Once the passport is ready, it will be dispatched via email, SMS, or post, with an expected delivery time of up to six business days.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the second passport | Concurrent passport |
| Validity | Up to three years |
| Cost | Same as a standard ten-year passport |
| Application form | B15 Concurrent passport form |
| Additional requirements for business-related travel | Cover letter from the employer and completion of Section B of the B15 form by the employer |
| Application fee refund | Non-refundable if the applicant doesn't qualify for a concurrent passport |
| Application method | Online or by collecting a blank application form from a participating Australia Post outlet |
| Application status | Can be checked online using the application number |
| Passport photos | Two passport-sized photos that comply with the Australian passport photo guidelines |
| Original documents | Must be presented when lodging the application |
| Referee or guarantor | Required unless the applicant qualifies for passport renewal |
| Processing time | Minimum of 6 weeks, with urgent application options available |
| Delivery time | 5 business days via post |
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What You'll Learn
Filling out the B15 Concurrent passport form
To apply for a second Australian passport, or a 'concurrent' passport, you need to complete a B15 Concurrent passport form. This form should be lodged with your standard passport application. Here is a step-by-step guide to filling out the B15 form:
- Provide your personal details: This includes your full name, date of birth, address, contact information, and any other identifying information requested. Ensure that this information matches the details on your primary passport application.
- Explain your reasons for requesting a concurrent passport: Describe your need for a second passport. Common reasons include frequent travel, visa waiting times that may cause travel delays, or travel to countries that do not accept passports with evidence of travel to certain other countries.
- Provide supporting documentation: If your concurrent passport request is related to business travel, you will need to include a cover letter from your employer. They must also complete Section B of the B15 form. Any other relevant documents that support your request should also be included.
- Review and sign the form: Carefully review all the information you have provided to ensure accuracy and completeness. Sign and date the form where required.
- Lodge the form with your passport application: Submit the completed B15 form along with your standard passport application to the Australian Passport Office. You can do this online or through a participating Australia Post outlet. Remember that the processing time for passport applications is a minimum of six weeks, so plan your travel accordingly.
Please note that concurrent passports are only issued for a maximum of three years, and the standard application fee applies, which is non-refundable. Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria for a concurrent passport before submitting your application.
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Providing a cover letter from your employer
To apply for a second Australian passport, or a 'concurrent' passport, you will need to provide a cover letter from your employer. This is a mandatory requirement if the second passport is for business-related travel. The cover letter should be on company letterhead and include the following information:
[Date]
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing this letter to confirm that [Applicant Name] is employed by [Company Name] and has been since [Date of Joining]. Their employee ID number is [#XXX]. [Applicant Name]'s job title is [Job Title] and their role requires them to travel internationally for the following business purposes:
[Detail the nature of their business travel, e.g., sales, conferences, client meetings, etc.]
Due to the frequency of their travel and the nature of their role, [Applicant Name] requires a second Australian passport to facilitate their business-related travel plans. We understand that the second passport will only be valid for up to three years and accept this condition.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information or documentation regarding this matter.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Position/Title]
[Company Address]
[Phone Number and Email]
Please note that your employer will also need to complete Section B of the B15 Concurrent Passport form. This form, along with the cover letter, should be lodged with your passport application.
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Getting passport photos
To apply for a second Australian passport, you must meet the eligibility criteria and submit the necessary documents, including two identical passport photos. Here are some detailed instructions for getting your passport photos:
Firstly, it is recommended to get your passport photos taken by a professional passport photo provider. This can include post offices, professional photographers, large chain stores with printing facilities, camera stores, some pharmacies, or other reputable businesses. While there are online passport photo services available, these are not recommended due to potential identity fraud risks.
If you choose to take the photo yourself, there are several guidelines you must follow. The photo must be taken by someone else, no selfies are allowed. Use a smartphone or a high-quality digital camera, ensuring the phone is held horizontally. Position yourself about 1.5 meters away from the camera, with a plain, light-coloured background. Ensure there are no textures, creases, or wrinkles on the background. Studio lighting is ideal, with uniform lighting and appropriate brightness to show your natural skin tone. Avoid using highlighters or cosmetics that may cause shine on your face.
Regarding your appearance in the photo, if you usually cover your head for religious reasons, you can wear a plain head covering that does not obscure your face. No jewellery should obscure your face, especially the eyes, mouth, and nose area. Glasses are not allowed, unless you cannot remove them for medical reasons, in which case, ensure the frames do not obscure your eyes and there are no reflections from the lenses.
Once you have the digital photo, it is recommended to keep a JPEG copy as a backup in case of any printing issues. The final prints should be high-resolution, glossy prints produced using dye sublimation, not from an inkjet printer. The photos should be less than six months old and must not be retouched in any way.
Finally, when submitting your application, do not attach the photos yourself. The Australian Passport Office will attach them to your form when you lodge it to avoid any potential damage.
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Paying the fee
You can pay your application fee by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or debit card. Your card doesn't need to be an Australian one, but it must be enabled for online transactions. You'll be asked to provide the card number, expiry date, cardholder name, and CVV when you lodge your application online. There may be additional fees or charges from your card provider, especially if you're using an international credit card, so check with them beforehand if you're unsure.
If you're unable to pay by card, you can also pay by bank cheque or Australia Post money order. Make the cheque or money order payable to 'Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade' for the full amount, including any additional services you've requested. You'll need to send this, along with your completed application form and supporting documents, to the Australian Passport Office by mail. Their address is:
Australian Passport Office
GPO Box 520
Canberra ACT 2601
Do not send cash or personal cheques, as these will not be accepted. When paying by bank cheque or money order, ensure that your payment reaches the Australian Passport Office before your application does, as they must be received together.
The current fee for a second passport application is $334 for an adult and $167 for a child (under 16 years old). These fees are in addition to the cost of your primary passport and are non-refundable, even if your application is not approved. If you're applying from outside Australia, fees may vary depending on the exchange rate at the time of application, so check the government website for the most up-to-date information.
Keep in mind that if you're applying for a second passport, you'll likely also need to pay for your first or primary passport, unless you're renewing it at the same time. The fees for a standard 10-year passport are $308 for adults and $154 for children when applying or renewing in Australia. Again, fees may vary if you're applying from overseas.
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Checking application status
Once you have lodged your application for a second Australian passport, you can check its status online. The Australian Passport Office has introduced a new passport application status tracker that allows you to monitor the progress of your application. This includes applications for child, adult, priority, and fast-track passports, as well as those lodged overseas.
To use the status tracker, you will need your application number (e.g. AB123456A). You can access the tracker directly from the passport.gov.au website by entering your application number and the applicant's family name. Alternatively, you can check the status of your application by logging into your AusPassport account. If you do not have an AusPassport account, you will need to create one to start your passport application online. Once you are logged in, go to the ''Check your application's status' section, select the application you wish to view, and click or tap 'Check status'. The application's status will be displayed on-screen, along with an estimated date for when your passport will be ready to collect or post.
It is important to note that there is a time limit for submitting your application once you have started it. You have 14 days to complete and submit your application before it is automatically deleted from the system. If you need to delete an incomplete application and start over, you can do so under the 'Resume where you left off' section in your AusPassport account.
If you have any issues with your application or need further assistance, you can contact the Australian Passport Office Call Centre at 131 232. This helpline operates Monday to Friday, excluding Australian national holidays, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm in each Australian time zone.
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Frequently asked questions
A second Australian passport is called a concurrent passport.
A concurrent passport is valid for up to three years, whereas a standard ten-year passport is valid for ten years.
To apply for a concurrent passport, you need to complete a B15 Concurrent passport form and lodge it with your passport application.
You must bring two passport-sized photos and the original documents requested on the application checklist or form. If your concurrent passport is for business-related travel, you will also need to provide a cover letter from your employer and they must complete Section B of your B15 Concurrent passport form.
Please allow a minimum of six weeks to receive your passport after lodging your application. You will be notified via email or SMS when your passport is ready.
