Leslie Massey
The Australian passport is a highly secure travel document issued by the Commonwealth of Australia to Australian citizens. It is designed, printed, and assembled in Australia and includes advanced security features such as polycarbonate photo pages and embedded microchips to prevent counterfeiting and identity theft. The Australian passport number is one of the important pieces of information stored on the embedded chip, along with the owner's digitised photograph, name, sex, date of birth, nationality, and passport expiry date. This information is also printed on the information page of the passport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | Australian Passport Office (APO), an agency of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) |
| Eligibility | Individuals holding any form of Australian nationality |
| Validity | Visa-free or visa on arrival access to 188 countries and territories as of July 2024 |
| Ranking | Eighth in the world for travel freedom as of July 2024 |
| Types | R Series (issued from September 2022), P Series (still valid until expiry) |
| Security Features | Polycarbonate photo page, advanced security features, embedded microchip, facial recognition technology |
| Renewal | Online renewal available for adults with valid passports issued on or after 1 July 2000 |
| Processing Time | Minimum of 6 weeks, some may take longer |
| Official Website | passports.gov.au |
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What You'll Learn
Australian passport requirements
An Australian passport is a travel document issued by the Commonwealth of Australia to individuals holding any form of Australian nationality. The document provides access to consular assistance from Australian embassies worldwide. The Australian Passport Office (APO), an agency of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), issues the passports.
Australian passports are highly secure documents, designed, printed, and assembled in Australia. They feature advanced security features to prevent counterfeiting and identity theft. Since 24 October 2005, all Australian passports have been biometric ePassports with an embedded microchip containing personal information, including a digitised photograph. The embedded chip stores the owner's digitised photograph, name, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and expiry date.
To apply for an Australian passport, applicants must meet eligibility criteria and submit the approved application form, accompanied by the applicable fee. Applications can be completed online and then printed for lodgement, but in-person lodgement is mandatory. The application must be supported by original documents confirming the applicant's identity and citizenship. For first-time applicants, this includes providing either an original Australian Citizenship Certificate or an original full Australian Birth Certificate. If the citizenship document does not include sex or place and country of birth, an original birth certificate or foreign passport must be provided. Three identical colour photos that are no more than six months old are also required, endorsed by a guarantor.
For adults applying for their first Australian passport, or replacing a lost/stolen passport, the Overseas Passport Application Form must be used. Emergency Passports (EYs) are issued overseas to facilitate urgent travel for Australian citizens who meet the requirements but cannot wait for the standard processing time. However, not all countries accept Emergency Passports, so holders must check with their destination countries.
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Australian passport renewal
An Australian passport is a travel document issued by the Commonwealth of Australia to individuals holding any form of Australian nationality. The document facilitates access to consular assistance from Australian embassies around the world and is issued by the Australian Passport Office (APO), an agency of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The APO issues the R Series passport, which incorporates the work of two esteemed Aboriginal artists: the late Uta Uta Tjangala and the late Michael Nelson Jagamara AM. The R Series photo page is made from polycarbonate, which is more durable than laminated paper. It also has advanced security features to prevent counterfeiting and identity theft.
To renew your Australian passport, you can fill out the online form on the online portal or request a pre-filled renewal form by calling 131 232. You will need to provide your original documents, passport photos, and full birth certificate or evidence of Australian citizenship. If you are overseas, you can renew your passport by visiting your local Australian diplomatic or consular mission. The time frame for an Australian passport renewal is up to 6 weeks from when you lodged your application.
If you need your passport urgently, you can apply for an emergency passport from an Australian diplomatic or consular mission. The fee for an emergency passport is $259 AUD, and it may not have a chip. From 3 October 2022, renewal applications for adults and some children (15 years and younger) can be made by mail.
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Australian passport cost
As of 1 January 2025, a new Australian passport costs $412, making it the most expensive passport in the world. This price is up from $398, which itself was a 15% increase from $346 in July 2024. The price hikes have been criticised by some as a "backdoor tax grab".
The passport fees are indexed annually on 1 January in line with the Consumer Price Index. The fees may be charged in Australian or US dollars, depending on the date and location of processing. Payment is taken at the time of lodgement.
Passport offices in Australia accept payment by EFTPOS, MasterCard, or Visa only—no cash is accepted. If you are applying overseas, you will usually have to pay the equivalent amount in local currency, usually by EFTPOS or credit card.
If you need your passport quickly, you can pay an additional fee for faster processing services. The Priority service (2-day processing) costs $300 on top of the standard passport fee, while the Fast Track service (5-day processing) costs $104 extra.
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Australian passport processing time
The processing time for an Australian passport begins when your complete application is received by the Australian Passport Office. It usually takes up to 5 business days for your application to be received. Once received, the passport is posted by registered mail and should arrive within a week.
If you are applying for a child's passport, the application process may take longer, especially in cases where there is not full parental consent. Applications for 16- and 17-year-olds must be lodged in person by the child and at least one parent, even if the child has previously held an Australian passport.
For those applying from overseas, the method of receiving your passport depends on your location. Check with the Australian diplomatic or consular mission responsible for your application for more information.
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Australian passport application
An Australian passport is a travel document issued by the Commonwealth of Australia to individuals holding any form of Australian nationality. The passport is printed in English, with a French translation on the identity information page. It contains an embedded microchip that stores the owner's digitised photograph, name, sex, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and expiry date.
To apply for an Australian passport, you must be an Australian citizen. If you are an adult, you can apply for a passport renewal online if you have an adult Australian passport that was valid for at least two years when issued and was issued on or after 1 July 2000 in your current name, date of birth, and sex. Alternatively, you can apply by mail using the one-page PC7 Australian Passport Renewal Application form. If you are overseas, you can apply for a renewal by contacting the nearest Australian diplomatic mission.
If you are applying for an Australian passport for the first time, you must lodge your application in person at any passport office. You can schedule an appointment at your convenience. If you are applying for a child under 15 years old, at least one parent must lodge the application in person, but the child does not have to be present. For children aged 16-17 years old, both the child and at least one parent must lodge the application in person, even if the child has previously held an Australian passport.
To initiate the application process, visit the Australian Passport Office (APO) website at www.passports.gov.au and click on "Apply or Renew." You will be prompted to create an account, after which the site will ask you questions and direct you to the correct application form. You can then print and sign the application form, ensuring that you use the Australian date format (DD/MM/YYYY) and that your signature and date have no alterations or correction fluid. Finally, submit your completed application form, along with any required supporting documents, to the Australian Passport Office.
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Frequently asked questions
Your Australian passport number can be found on the identity information page of your passport. This is the same page that contains your digitised photograph, name, sex, date of birth, nationality, and passport expiry date.
Yes, your Australian passport number is stored on the embedded chip, along with your digitised photograph, name, sex, date of birth, nationality, and passport expiry date.
Your Australian passport number is a unique identifier for your travel document. It is used to verify your identity and citizenship when travelling or accessing consular services at Australian embassies worldwide.
