Lost Passport in Australia - Report and Replace

Between 2019 and 2020, a total of 31,073 Australian passports were reported lost or stolen. No matter how much everyone tries to avoid this situation, sometimes it just happens. Losing a passport can definitely be stressful, but the government has structures and procedures specifically designed to help Australian citizens in these circumstances.

So, if you need to know the steps to undertake in case of a lost passport in Australia, keep reading. In the next paragraphs, we’ll go over all details of reporting and replacing a lost passport and help you get through the process as smoothly as possible.

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Lost Australian passport

When an Australian citizen loses their passport, they should follow a simple process indicated by the government. First, a lost Australian passport must be reported as soon as possible, to avoid any illegal use of the document by third parties.

If the document was lost during a storm, flood, or bushfire, passport holders can contact the Australian Passport Office to have it replaced for free since they had no responsibility in the matter.

Report a lost passport in Australia

The Australian Government provides an emergency assistance service to notify the appropriate office of the loss and have the passport cancelled before it can be used by third parties. So, here are the steps to report a missing travel document:

Step#1

Call the Australian Passport Information Service (APIS) at 131 232 and notify them IMMEDIATELY (contact the Australian embassy if overseas). They will ask a few questions about the circumstances, namely the time, place, and your personal details.

Then, they’ll proceed with cancelling the lost passport. For holders that do not speak English, there’s the possibility to call TIS National on 131 450 and get the help of a phone interpreter.

Step#2

If there is any reason to believe that the passport was stolen, citizens should also report it to the nearest police station. The officers will inquire about the theft in detail and release a police report. It’s mandatory to report the loss or theft of a passport, false or misleading statements are considered a criminal offence.

Step#3

Ask for a copy of the report as it will be useful when applying for replacement after the theft. From here on out, the Australian Passport Office and the police will do the rest.

After a passport has been reported lost, authorities will immediately cancel the document. It will be invalid, even if found again.

If a passport holder happens to find the missing document after the report, they have to notify the authorities. The passport will not be reinstated and it cannot be used anymore, however, the holder won’t be held responsible for the loss.

Once the report has been completed, Australian citizens can apply for a new document if they wish.

Lost passport Melbourne

For a lost passport in Melbourne, citizens should still refer to the national number (131 232). The passport will be cancelled following the standard procedure.

In case the passport was stolen, holders need to notify the police at 131 444, or head to one of the 20 (twenty) police stations in the city.

Lost passport Sydney

Those who lose their passport in Sydney have to contact the nationwide APIS number 132 232 and have it cancelled as soon as possible.

For a passport theft, citizens can reach the police at 131 444, the number for non-emergency intervention. Alternatively, it’s possible to directly file a report at one of the 22 (twenty-two) police stations in Sydney.

Looking to get your passport application ready? Learn how to do it the right way by checking out our other articles:

Replacing a lost passport in Australia

In these circumstances, it’s not possible to request a replacement passport or proceed with renewal. So, it’s necessary to apply for a new passport with the standard process.

To replace a passport, the Australian Passport Office requires:

proof of Australian citizenship (Australian citizenship certificate or similar);
document confirming place of birth and gender (Australian birth certificate);
photo ID with signature and current address;
2 (two) passport-size photos.

Related reading:

Australian Passport Photo Size Template

Before proceeding with the application, it’s necessary to find a referee or guarantor.

At this stage, you need to find an Australia Post location to hand in the application. Many of them accept walk-ins, but applicants might have to make an appointment. Their website has a tool to find the nearest office and book if needed.

For a lost passport in Australia, the fees are the same as for a standard passport application:

$308 for a 10 (ten) year validity adult passport;
$155 for a 5 (five) year validity passport for minors;
$155 for a 5 (five) year validity passport for citizens older than 75 (seventy-five).

Standard processing times to replace lost or stolen passports are around 6 (six) weeks.

Lost Australian passport: penalties

To the regular passport fees, applicants need to add the surcharge for a lost or stolen passport:

$108 for the first time;
$244 for the second time;
$487 from the third time on.

It’s possible to request a refund if the passport holder can prove they were not responsible for the theft or loss.

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Customer review of Passport Photo Online, an app for taking passport photos from home.

Passport lost in Australia: FAQ

In this section, we’ll answer a few questions about replacing a lost passport in Australia.

What happens if you lose your passport in Australia?

A lost passport needs to be reported immediately to the APIS and the police. For the time being, until you get a new passport you can’t travel abroad.

What to do if I lost my passport in Australia?

You have to notify the Australian Passport Information Service immediately. If you believe it was stolen, you also need to file a police report.

Is it bad if I lost my passport?

Losing a passport can be problematic. To start, until you get a new one, you won’t be allowed to travel abroad. Then, if you don’t cancel the document right away, it might be used for illegal activities.

I lost my passport and forgot the passport number, what should I do?

Report the loss to the APIS, they’ll be able to cancel it with just your personal data.

How to report a lost passport in Australia?

Contact the APIS at 131 232 for emergency assistance.

Can a lost passport be replaced?

Yes, after reporting the loss, Australian citizens can apply for a new passport.

Can a lost passport be tracked?

No, if a passport gets lost, it should be reported to the APIS for cancellation so it can’t be used by third parties.

Can a lost passport be misused?

Yes, passport details could be used for illegal activities such as identity fraud. To avoid misuse, contact the APIS at 131 232 to have it cancelled.

Can a lost passport be renewed?

A lost passport cannot be renewed, you have to apply as you did the first time.

Can a lost passport be replaced online?

No, after the loss has been reported, Australian citizens need to apply in person.

How to get a copy of a lost passport?

A lost Australian passport cannot be copied, after reporting it, you can apply for a new passport following the standard process.

Can you get a replacement passport if you lost your previous one?

No, a replacement passport can only be issued if the previous document gets heavily damaged or destroyed. After losing a passport, you must report it and then apply for a new one.

How long does it take to replace a lost passport in Australia?

The standard processing time for an Australian passport is at least 6 (six ) weeks.

Where to return a lost passport?

If you find an Australian citizen’s passport, you should send it to the Australian Passport Office.

I lost my passport and I’m going on holiday, what should I do?

After reporting the loss, you should contact an Australia Post RAPID location, if they have a spot, they can provide you with a new passport in as little as 2 (two) business days.

I lost my passport and ID, what should I do?

Report the loss of your passport to the APIS, then apply for a replacement ID at your local government. At this stage, you can request a new passport.

I lost my passport and visa, what should I do?

Contact the APIS to cancel your lost passport. Then, contact the concerning embassy or consulate to obtain a new visa.

What to do if I lost my passport and had a name change?

After reporting and cancelling your lost passport, you need to apply for a new one providing documentation to attest the lawful name change.

I lost my passport and birth certificate, what should I do?

Report the loss of your passport to the APIS and have it cancelled. Then, get a copy of the birth certificate from the Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages online or on the phone at 131 882. Finally, you can apply for a new passport with the standard process.

I lost my passport and driving licence, what to do?

Report the lost passport to the APIS and the lost driving licence to the police. You can replace your licence through the local government and your passport at the post office.

I lost my passport at the Sydney airport, what should I do?

Notify airport security immediately, they will assist you in finding it. It’s standard practice to hand in lost passports in airports to the Australian Border Force (ABF), so check in with them too.
If it can’t be recovered, call the APIS at 131 232 to have it cancelled. Then, you can request a new one.

I lost my passport at home, what to do?

If you absolutely cannot find it and you need to travel shortly, you should contact the APIS to have it cancelled and apply for a new one as soon as possible.

What to do if I lost my passport during travel?

Notify the nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate to cancel it and replace it.

Does a lost passport require an explanation letter?

No, get in touch with the APIS to cancel it and the police (in case of theft), they’ll provide any necessary forms.

I lost my passport during the floods, what should I do?

Inform the Australian Passport Office, after cancellation, you might be entitled to a free replacement passport.

What should I do if I lost my passport on the plane?

Immediately contact the airline. The personnel always checks the aircraft for anything left behind after landing. If your passport was recovered, it was likely handed over to the Australian Border Force (ABF). If it can’t be found, contact the APIS to have it cancelled.

To report a lost passport, do I need a police report form?

No, the police will provide you with everything you need to report your lost or stolen passport.

What should I do if I lost my passport before a flight?

Call the APIS and have it cancelled, then contact the Australian Passport Office and see if you qualify for an emergency passport.

I lost my passport and I’m travelling tomorrow, what should I do?

Have your lost passport cancelled by the APIS and see if you can apply for an emergency passport by contacting the Australian Passport Office.

Do I need to report a lost expired passport in Australia?

No, the government only requires valid passports to be reported lost.

What should I do if I lost my passport at the Melbourne airport?

Tell airport security right away, if your passport is found it will likely be given to the ABF. If it can’t be found, you need to contact the APIS to cancel it.

I lost my passport years ago, what should I do?

If it’s expired, there’s no need to report it. Otherwise, it needs to be reported right away, to avoid any misuse.

Passport lost in Australia – conclusion

Those who lose their passport in Australia need to contact the APIS immediately. Once a passport is reported lost, it will be immediately cancelled and no longer valid.

Trust Passport Photo Online to get passport pictures in any place at any time and perfectly in line with the guidelines given by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Sources

[1] https://www.passports.gov.au/passport-care/lost-and-stolen-passports

Riccardo Ollmert

Riccardo Ollmert is a multilingual writer and travel expert. He studied Languages, Literature and Publishing Industry at La Sapienza University of Rome. His passions include traveling and learning new skills.

Lost Passport in Australia – Report and Replace