Apply for Australian Passport: A How-to Guide

According to the Australian Passport Office, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued 1,745,340 passports for 2019-2020. That’s a staggering 7,009 Australian passports each business day!

Perhaps you wish to join the ranks of your fellow passport-holding citizens?

It doesn’t matter if you are applying for your first passport or are a veteran traveller needing a renewal; this handy guide has all the information you need to apply for an Australian passport. 

We’ve listed everything from the supporting documents you’ll need to the specific passport photos required by the Australian authorities, so keep reading to find out more.

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How to apply for Australian passport–step-by-step (adults)

Listed below is a comprehensive step-by-step guide for new passport applications for adults. Australian citizens can apply for adult passports independently, beginning at age 18. 

Step #1 Document retrieval 

To apply for your first Australian passport, applicants must have all the documents needed to lodge an application successfully. To begin the process, Australian nationals must possess:

• Australian citizenship certificate, Australian birth certificate or a document proving citizenship by birth (e.g., parent’s or grandparent’s Australian birth certificate; parent’s or grandparent’s Australian passport issued on or after 20 August 1986, valid for a minimum of 2 (two) years and issued before your birth; parent’s or grandparent’s Australian citizenship certificate, acquired prior to your birth).
• Document that confirms place of birth and gender (e.g., Australian birth certificate or foreign birth certificate translated into English).
• Photo identification with signature displaying current place of residence in Australia (e.g., driver’s license or proof of age card issued by an Australian state or territory)
• Additional supporting identification (e.g., Medicare card; Centrelink card; Department of Veteran’s Affairs card; credit card or bank account card; foreign passport).  
• 2 (two) passport photos that comply with Australian Passport office guidelines.   

Important! Australian nationals who do not possess a driver’s license or proof of age card may still apply for their first passport if they possess (2) two or more supporting documents (e.g., Medicare card, Centrelink card, etc.) or (3) three of the following original documents with some form of photo identification with signature (e.g., student card, workplace identity card, etc.):

• motor vehicle registration/insurance paper
• rates notice for a property
• lease agreement for a property
• home insurance papers 
• telephone, electricity or gas utility bill
• bank/credit card statement.

Step #2 Secure a guarantor 

Once all the necessary documents have been procured, find a guarantor or referee who will willingly confirm your identity (if the Australian authorities contact them). The guarantor’s contact details and mailing address must be included in the appropriate section of the passport application. Additionally, to qualify as a guarantor, said person must: 

• Be an adult Australian citizen.
• Know you for more than one year.
• Not be a relative, in a relationship with you, or reside at your address.

Step #3 Fill in the application

 Now it’s time to fill in the application. To do so, visit the Australian Passport Office website and create an AusPassport account. Alternatively, applicants may obtain blank paper copies of the application form at participating Australia Post outlets.

Step #4 Lodge the application 

To lodge your application and pay the passport fee (A$308 for 10-year validity; A$155 for 5-year validity only available for persons 75 and older), visit the Australia Post passport portal to find a location where you can submit all your documents. Be sure to bring all required documents mentioned on the application form and your passport photos.

Step #5 Wait for your new passport

 Applicants will be informed by email or SMS when their passport is available for pickup/has been posted to them. Due to high demand, current processing times are a minimum of (6) six weeks. Priority processing is available for an additional A$225 to get your passport within (2) two business days after application submission.

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Adult passport renewals 

Adults ages 18 (eighteen) and older can apply for a passport renewal if their current passport meets the following conditions:

• It was issued on or after the 1st of January 2006.
• It was issued when the applicant was aged 16 (sixteen) or older.
• Had a minimum of two years validity at the time of issue.
• Has not been reported lost, stolen or cancelled.
• Lists your place of birth, date of birth, gender and current legal name.  

To apply for a passport renewal, use the online portal to create an AusPassport account and log in. Applicants experiencing difficulty with online applications may call 131 232 to get a pre-filled form sent to their mailing address. Important! Pre-filled forms are not available at Australia Post outlets.

Australian nationals wishing to renew their passport must also submit 2 (two) passport photos (35-40mm wide x 45-50mm high) and have the supporting documents listed on the application form (e.g., driver’s license, proof of age card, etc.), in addition to their old passport, ready for inspection by passport agents when lodging the application at select Australia Post locations.

The fee structure for lodging an application and current wait times are identical to the ones in the step-by-step guide for adults listed above.

Applying for an Australian child passport–step-by-step

Listed below is a guide for new child passport applications. Children under the age of 16 can only get Australian passports with 5-year validities. 16 and 17-year-olds can obtain passports with 10-year validities by lodging a child passport application with the assistance of a parent or guardian.

Step #1 Gather the necessary documents  

The process for submitting a child passport application begins with gathering the following mandatory documents:

• full birth certificate (Australian or from a foreign country if born overseas);
• proof of Australian citizenship (e.g., Australian birth certificate, Australian citizenship certificate, or the Australian certificates/passports granted to your parents/grandparents before your birth);
• any supplementary forms (B3-B19) pertaining to custody and parental responsibility of the child;
• 2 (two) standard passport photos (35-40mm x 45-50mm) that follow government guidelines (read more about Australian passport photos).

Step #2 Generate the form

Next, an application form must be generated online and printed out. Blank paper copies are also available at participating Australia Post outlets. Be sure to specify you would like the ‘Application for an Australian Passport – Child’ form as there are important differences between the child and adult forms.

Step #3 Fill out the form 

Fill in the application form. A guarantor is required to sign section 11 of the passport application form. They must also vouch for the authenticity of the photos by writing the following statement in black pen on the back of (1) one kids passport photo: ‘This is a true photo of [child’s full name].’

When applying for a child passport in Australia, the guarantor must be an adult Australian citizen who has known the child for at least one year. Additionally, they cannot be related to the child or the parent who has parental responsibilities for the child in any way, nor can they reside at the same address as the child or be in a de facto relationship with one of the child’s parents or guardians.  

Consent of parents and/or guardians is required for a child passport. As such, all people giving consent must sign section 15 of the application form with a witness present. Applicants ages 10 (ten) and over must also provide their own signature in section 16 unless a medical condition prevents them from doing so.   

Step #4 Visit an Australia Post location to lodge your application

Lodge the application at a participating Australia Post location. If you’re applying for a child ages 16 (sixteen) or 17 (seventeen), they must be present when you submit the application. Be sure to bring all supporting documents, 2 (two)  passport photos and a piece of personal identification to confirm your identity (e.g., driver’s license).  

Step #5 Pay fees 

Pay the appropriate passport fee (A$308 for 10-year validity; A$155 for 5-year validity, only available for children under 16 (sixteen) and expect a waiting time of up to 6 (six) weeks to receive your passport after all required documents have been submitted. Please note that priority processing (for an additional A$225) may not be available for child passport applications -it is best to inquire about eligibility for priority service when lodging the application.  

Passport Photo Online–avoid high prices and rejected photos

It doesn’t matter if you’re applying for your first Australian passport or you’re a jet setter who is renewing for the umpteenth time; you don’t have to pay high prices for quality passport photos. 

Can you imagine wasting your precious time waiting in line at a portrait studio or photo booth (appointments are often impossible to make ahead of time) only to have your passport photos rejected by the Australian authorities?  

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Applying for an Australian Passport: FAQ

Read through the following frequently asked questions to find out more information related to this topic.

How to apply for an Australian passport–summary

The application process for an Australian passport (for children, adults or adult passport renewals) begins with gathering the necessary supporting documents.

Next, applicants must fill in the passport application online (or use blank paper copies obtained from select Australia Post outlets) and, in certain cases, find a guarantor to vouch for the applicant’s identity. Finally, the applicant must lodge the application in person by submitting the application form, 2 (two)  passport photos, and paying the fee at participating Australia Post locations.  

Seems stressful? Let Passport Photo Online take the stress out of getting your passport photos done. We guarantee the Australian authorities will approve your passport photos…All at a reasonable price using only your smartphone. 

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Simon Wojtyczka

Simon Wojtyczka is a writer with experience living and working in 7 countries, each adding depth to his work. Holding a Master’s in Applied Linguistics, he has a profound grasp of language and its intricate ties to culture.