Damon Mcknight
Australian passports are sophisticated documents that are extremely difficult to forge. Issued by the Australian Passport Office, an agency of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Australia Post, they are created at Note Printing Australia, a company owned by the Reserve Bank of Australia. The passports are printed, coded, laminated, and imprinted with over 50 security features, including images of kangaroos, barber poles, and stars, many of which are only visible under UV light. The current P series, introduced in 2014, is named after the first letter of the serial number and features an embedded microchip with biometric information.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | Australian Passport Office, an agency of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Australia Post |
| Number Issued | 1,745,340 passports (7,009 each business day) |
| Total Holders | Over 14 million |
| Security Features | Over 50, including a chip, laminate at 83.33 degrees, an image of a floating kangaroo, a striped barber's pole, and stars visible only under UV light |
| Forgery | Difficult to forge due to security features; only 200 forged passports found in 2018-2019 |
| Validity | Must be valid for at least 2 years when issued |
| Renewal | Online renewal available for citizens aged 18 or above with a valid passport issued on or after 1 July 2000 |
| Gender | Recorded sex does not need to match that on birth certificates or other documents; a statement by a registered doctor or psychologist is sufficient |
| Ranking | Ranked eighth in the world for travel freedom as of July 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
History of Australian passports
The history of Australian passports reflects the evolution of Australian society, influenced by its emerging national identity, multicultural community, and geopolitics.
Before 1901, Australia consisted of six separate British colonies. Passport usage was uncommon, and those who needed one used British or other national passports. In the 19th century, paroled convicts were issued a type of internal passport called a "ticket of leave", allowing them to move freely between the colonies.
In 1901, the six colonies joined to form the Commonwealth of Australia, and Australians retained British nationality. On 3 September 1912, the first federal passport regulations were introduced, and passports issued by the Australian government bore the words "British Passport" on the cover until 1967. During World War I, monitoring and identifying individuals crossing international borders was critical to Australia and its allies' security. The War Precautions Act 1914 mandated that all persons over 16 years old possess a passport when leaving Australia. Many viewed this as a temporary wartime measure, but by the mid-1920s, an international system of travel documentation was firmly in place.
Australian nationality came into existence on 26 January 1950, with the enactment of the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948. Australian passports started distinguishing between Australian citizens and other British subjects, although British subjects who were not Australian citizens could still obtain an Australian passport.
The Australian Passports Act of 1938 served as the primary legal framework for passports until its replacement in 2005. The 2005 legislation ushered in technological advancements, including the introduction of ePassports with biometric and facial recognition technology.
Australian passports have evolved in their format and security features, now admired globally for their technological sophistication. The adoption of biometric passports nearly two decades ago enhanced security and facilitated visa-free access to numerous countries.
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How Australian passports are made
Australian passports are issued by the Australian Passport Office, an agency of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Australia Post. The current series of passports, the "P" series, was introduced in 2014, and the upcoming "R" series will incorporate works by Indigenous artists.
The process of making Australian passports involves several steps to ensure security and authenticity. Firstly, blank passports are stored in a locked and guarded vault at Note Printing Australia, a company owned by the Reserve Bank of Australia. They are then transferred to a plant where they are given a unique number and assigned to their new owner. After this, they undergo a series of security measures, including chipping, coding, and lamination at a specific temperature of 83.33 degrees Celsius. Over 50 individual security features are imprinted on the passports, including images of kangaroos, striped barber poles, and stars, some of which are only visible under ultraviolet light.
The passports are then photographed, and these images are electronically sent to Customs and Excise for verification. Finally, the passports are channelled into state-of-the-art machines that insert them into envelopes, along with Department of Foreign Affairs' Smart Traveller booklets.
Australian passports are considered highly sophisticated and challenging to forge due to their advanced security features. The country has been issuing passports since World War I, and today, over 14 million people, or more than 57% of the population, hold an Australian passport. The Australian Government issues around 2 million passports annually.
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Issuing of Australian passports
An Australian passport is a travel document issued by the Commonwealth of Australia to individuals holding any form of Australian nationality. The Australian Government issues passports to provide an internationally accepted form of identity for their citizens. The Australian Passport Office, an agency of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Australia Post, issues the passports.
The current Australian passport series, the "P" series, was introduced in 2014. Australia has been issuing passports since World War I to regulate the departure from Australia of military-aged men. After the war, concerns about foreigners and potential infections from pandemics led to passports becoming permanent through the Passport Act 1920.
The "P" series passports are highly secure and sophisticated, making them almost impossible to forge. They are personalised and coded, with over 50 individual security features, including an embedded microchip containing biometric information and a digitised photograph. The identity information page is laminated at 83.33 degrees and includes retro-reflective floating images of kangaroos.
To apply for an Australian passport, applicants must submit a completed form, photographs, and supporting identity documents. The application process may vary depending on the applicant's age, previous passport history, and other factors. The Australian Passport Office recommends that individuals do not travel with an expiring passport when applying for a new one, as the old passport will be cancelled upon issuance of the new one.
As of July 2024, Australian citizens could access 188 countries and territories visa-free or with a visa on arrival, ranking the passport eighth in the world for travel freedom.
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Australian passport design
The Australian passport has undergone several design iterations, each with its own unique features and security enhancements. The current "R" series passports, introduced in September 2022, showcase the country's Indigenous artwork and incorporate advanced security features, making them highly secure and visually appealing.
The "R" series passports continue the tradition of including Indigenous artwork in their design. These passports feature the works of renowned Aboriginal artists, Uta Uta Tjangala and Michael Nelson Jagamara AM. The visa pages display stunning images of 17 iconic Australian landscapes, capturing the beauty and diversity of the country. This fusion of art and security enhances the passport's visual appeal and cultural significance.
In terms of security, the "R" series passports are highly sophisticated. They are crafted with a high-security photo page made of layered plastic, making them more durable and challenging to forge. Each passport is also embedded with a microchip, containing the same personal information found on the colour photo page, including a digitised photograph. This biometric technology ensures the passport is extremely secure and virtually impossible to replicate.
Previous passport series, such as the "P" series introduced in 2014, also boasted impressive security features. These passports included an Australian flag and over 50 individual security elements, such as a floating kangaroo image, a striped barber's pole, and stars visible only under ultraviolet light. The "P" series set a high standard for passport security, making Australian passports highly trusted worldwide.
The "M" series passports, issued from October 2005, introduced biometric or ePassports. These passports featured an electronic passport logo printed beneath the passport number on the personal data page. The front cover was designed with gold ink, adding a touch of elegance to the design. The "N" series, released in May 2009, continued the biometric trend, with a black cover and subtle font adjustments.
The Australian passport has evolved significantly over the years, combining artistic elements with cutting-edge security features. The "R" series is a testament to this evolution, offering both a secure and culturally rich travel document for Australian citizens.
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Australian passport security
The Australian Passport Office (APO) is committed to providing a secure, efficient, and responsive passport service for Australia. The APO is part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and issues Australian passports to Australian citizens in Australia and overseas. The APO also issues travel-related documents to Australian (and occasionally Commonwealth) citizens in certain situations and to eligible non-Australian citizens living in Australia.
The APO issues approximately 2 million passports per year, with over 14 million people holding an Australian passport. The APO has strict security measures in place to protect the personal information of its citizens. This personal information is protected by law under the Privacy Act and is managed by the department as set out in its Privacy Policy. All access by department officers to the AusPassport account is audited by the department, and officers are trained regularly about their privacy and security obligations.
Australian passports are highly sophisticated, making them extremely difficult to forge. The current "R" series passports, issued from September 2022, incorporate works by Indigenous artists and have a high-security photo page made of layered plastic, making the passport harder to forge and less susceptible to damage. The "R" series passports also have advanced security features, such as images and text that become visible under ultraviolet light.
The previous "P" series passports, issued from 2014, were also highly secure and featured an embedded chip containing biometric information and a digitised photograph. This chip could be read by customs officials and SmartGate terminals, triggering an alert if any changes were made to the stored data.
The APO's rigorous assessment process and advanced security features make Australian passports among the most secure and trusted identity and travel documents in the world.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian Passport Office, an agency of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Australia Post.
They are printed at Note Printing Australia, a company owned by the Reserve Bank of Australia.
The Australian Government issues around 2 million passports a year. In 2019-20, 1,745,340 passports were issued, which is 7,009 each business day.
Australian passports are sophisticated and hard to forge. They have over 50 security features, including an embedded microchip with biometric information and a digitised photograph.
