Get An Australian Passport Fast: The Complete Guide

how to apply for an urgent australian passport

If you need to apply for an urgent Australian passport, you can do so by visiting the Australian Passport Office website and clicking Apply or Renew. You will need to create an account and answer a series of questions to direct you to the correct application form. You can also apply at over 1,700 Australia Post retail outlets. If your application is urgent due to compassionate or compelling reasons, such as the death or serious illness of an immediate family member, you can make an appointment at your nearest passport office by calling 131 232. You will need to provide evidence of your need for immediate travel and pay the Priority (2-day processing) fee. If you have already lodged your application, you can request faster processing by calling the same number.

Characteristics Values
Where to apply Australian Passport Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Website
Application form 'Application for an Australian Passport' form (green for adults)
Application method Online, in-person at Australia Post retail outlets, or by mail
Application requirements Two passport-sized photos, original documents, referee or guarantor details, signature of applicant
Payment methods MasterCard, Visa, AMEX, or EFTPOS
Processing time Minimum of 6 weeks, with urgent applications and faster processing services available for an additional fee
Passport validity 10 years for standard adult passports, 5 years for applicants aged 75 and over
Contact 131 232

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Applying for an urgent passport in person

Applying for an urgent Australian passport in person requires you to follow several important steps. Firstly, locate your nearest participating Post Office or passport office that accepts passport applications. You can do this by checking the Australian Passport Office website or by contacting them directly. It is worth noting that some passport offices may require you to book an appointment in advance.

Once you have identified the appropriate location, gather all the necessary documents. This includes completing the 'Application for an Australian Passport' form, which can be done online or by requesting a blank form from a participating Australia Post outlet. Adults should ask for the green form. Along with the completed form, you will need to provide two passport-sized photos that comply with the Australian Passport Office's photo guidelines and the original documents requested on the application checklist. If you are applying for a child's passport, additional documentation may be required, such as proof of your identity with a photo, signature, and residential address.

When you lodge your application in person, ensure you bring the application checklist or form, your photos, and the required original documents. The staff will review and copy your documents and return them to you. They will also check that your passport photos meet the necessary requirements. At this stage, you will be required to pay the relevant passport fee, and if eligible and desired, you can opt for a faster processing service for an additional cost.

It is important to note that the standard processing time for urgent applications is 2 days, and you will need to provide evidence of a compassionate or compelling need for immediate travel. Compassionate and compelling reasons include exceptional circumstances such as the death or serious illness of an immediate family member. By following these steps and providing the necessary documentation, you can apply for an urgent Australian passport in person.

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Paying the faster processing fee

If you need to get your hands on an Australian passport quickly, you can pay an additional fee for faster processing. This fee varies depending on how fast you need your passport, with the fastest option being the 'Priority (2-day processing)' service. This costs $300 on top of the standard passport fee. To be eligible for this service, you must provide evidence of a "compassionate or compelling need for immediate travel". Examples of this include the death or serious illness of an immediate family member.

The other fast-track option is the 'Fast Track (5-day processing)' service, which costs an extra $100 or $104 on top of the standard fee.

You can pay the faster processing fee when you lodge your application at Australia Post. You can also pay at selected Australia Post Passport RAPID locations, where your documents will be received even quicker. If you have already lodged your application under the routine processing service, you can call 131 232 to request faster processing.

Cash is no longer accepted at passport offices. You can pay by EFTPOS, MasterCard, Visa, or AMEX.

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Providing evidence of immediate travel

If you need to apply for an urgent Australian passport due to immediate travel, you must provide evidence of a "compassionate or compelling need". Compassionate and compelling reasons are defined as exceptional circumstances, such as the death or serious illness of an immediate family member.

To apply for an urgent passport, you must first make an appointment at your nearest passport office by calling 131 232. You will need to provide evidence of your immediate travel, such as airline tickets or a letter from your employer. If you have already lodged your application, you can request an Emergency Passport by emailing your lodging office (or calling if you are in Houston). You should do this one week before your departure date. In your email, you must include your full name, date of birth, and the date and city where you submitted your application. You will also need to provide evidence of travel, such as your airline tickets.

If you are applying for an urgent passport due to exceptional circumstances, you may be eligible for a Limited Validity Passport (LVP). LVPs are issued to meet the urgent travel needs of customers who cannot meet the full application requirements but whose identity, citizenship, and entitlement can be established. LVPs are valid for a maximum of one year.

Alternatively, if you are overseas, you may be able to obtain an Emergency Passport (EY). EYs are issued at overseas posts to facilitate the urgent travel of Australian citizens who meet all requirements but cannot wait for the standard turnaround time. It is important to note that not all countries accept Emergency Passports, and it is the responsibility of the passport holder to check with each destination country. EYs are also valid for a maximum of one year.

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Passport application requirements

The process of applying for an urgent Australian passport may vary depending on your location and whether you are applying as a first-time applicant or for a renewal. Here are the general requirements and steps to follow:

Application Forms and Photos

You can apply for an Australian passport online through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website or by collecting a blank application form at a participating Australia Post outlet. The form for adults is green. You will need to provide two passport-sized photos that comply with the Australian photo guidelines. These photos must be included with your application.

Original Documents

When lodging your application, you must bring the original documents requested on the application checklist or form. These documents are required to confirm your identity. Unless you qualify for a passport renewal, you will also need a referee or guarantor who is not a relative, in a de facto relationship with you, or living at the same address. You will need their full name, date of birth, address, and signature.

Payment

After submitting your application, you will need to pay the passport application fee. Payment methods accepted include cash, MasterCard, Visa, AMEX, or EFTPOS. Please note that this fee is non-refundable.

Processing Times

Standard processing time for Australian passports is a minimum of six weeks. If you require urgent travel, you can pay an additional fee for faster processing services. The Priority (2-day processing) service costs $300 in addition to the standard passport fee.

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Checking your application status

To check the status of your urgent Australian passport application, you can use the Australian Passport Office's online status tracker. This tool allows you to monitor the progress of your application in real time, providing an estimated date for when your passport will be ready for collection or postage. To access the tracker, you will need your application number. You can find this number on the confirmation you received after lodging your application. If you cannot locate your application number, the Australian Passport Office provides instructions on how to retrieve it.

Alternatively, you can check the status of your application by logging into your AusPassport account. You can access this account from the “apply or renew” page on the Australian Passport Office website. Once you have signed in, navigate to the "Check your application's status" section. Here, you will be able to view the progress of your application and the estimated delivery date.

If you have urgent travel needs due to compassionate or compelling reasons, such as the serious illness or death of an immediate family member, you may lodge your application at a Passport Office in person. To do this, you must first obtain an appointment by calling the Australian Passport Office Call Centre at 131 232. At the time of your appointment, be prepared to provide evidence of your urgent travel needs.

Please note that the Australian Passport Office recommends allowing a minimum of six weeks to receive your passport, even for urgent applications. Additionally, visiting a passport office without an appointment or prior notification that your passport is ready for collection may not guarantee same-day issuance.

Frequently asked questions

You can apply for an urgent Australian passport by visiting www.passports.gov.au and clicking on "APPLY OR RENEW". You will need to create an AusPassport account and answer a series of questions to direct you to the correct application form. Print and sign the form, then lodge your application at a selected Australia Post Passport RAPID location. You can pay an additional fee for faster processing.

You can pay by MasterCard, Visa, AMEX, or EFTPOS. Cash is no longer accepted at passport offices.

An emergency passport is usually issued within 2-3 working days after all requirements are met. However, some applications, such as those for children without full consent or born through surrogacy, may take longer.

You will need to provide evidence of your urgent need for travel, such as airline tickets or a letter from your employer. If you are applying due to compassionate or compelling reasons, such as the serious illness or death of an immediate family member, you will need to provide evidence to support this.

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