Homepage Fill Your Australian Passport Renewal Form
Jump Links

Renewing an Australian passport involves completing a specific form designed for citizens aged 18 years and over. To be eligible, applicants must have a passport that was valid for at least two years when issued, issued after July 1, 2000, and in their current name, date of birth, and sex. If you're renewing a child passport, different criteria apply, including that it must have been issued after July 1, 2005, and the applicant must have been at least 16 years old at the time of issuance. It's crucial to lodge the renewal application in person at an Australia Post outlet or your nearest Australian mission if overseas. Appointments are necessary for certain applicants, and you should check the official website for details. Payment options vary, with EFTPOS, Mastercard, Visa, and cash being preferred in Australia. Be aware that lost or stolen passports must be reported immediately, and specific requirements exist for passport photographs. The application process is streamlined, with a commitment to issue the renewed passport within ten working days, although priority processing is available for an additional fee. Understanding these requirements will help ensure a smooth renewal process.

Australian Passport Renewal Preview

have an adult Australian passport that was valid for at least 2 years when issued, and
was issued after 1/7/2000, and
was issued in your current name, date of birth and sex,

A P P O I N T M E N T S

Only certain applicants should lodge their forms at a Passport Office in Australia.

Appointments are essential.

For criteria, visit www.passports.gov.au

Protect your identity

Lost or stolen passports cause inconvenience and may be used by others to assume your identity for illegal activities. Keep your

passport safe at all times.

Australian Passport Information Service

131 232

If you have any questions about this form or about how to get an Australian passport, or if you wish to comment about our service, offer suggestions for improvement, or register a complaint, you may telephone us on 131 232 (from anywhere in Australia), visit our web site at: www.passports.gov.au, or write to the following address:

Director, Passport Operations Section

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

R.G. Casey Building

John McEwen Crescent

Barton ACT 0221

Or contact the nearest Australian mission

Check before travelling

Visit the Department’s website at www.smartraveller.gov.au to view the latest travel advice.

35MM

72G

Australian Passport Renewal Application

Who should use this form?

Use this form if you are an Australian citizen aged 18 years or over and:

OR have a child Australian passport that was valid for at least 2 years when issued, and

was issued after 1/7/2005, and

you were 16 years and over at the time of issue, and was issued in your current name, date of birth and sex.

Note: If you cannot present your passport at the time of your renewal you cannot use the renewal process.

Lodgement, payment and validity

You must provide the passport that matches the number printed on the top of page 2 of this form with your application. If you are renewing your passport in Australia, you should lodge your renewal application in person at an Australia Post outlet (you may need to phone to make an appointment). If you are renewing your passport overseas, please contact your nearest Australian mission for advice on lodging your application.

Preferred methods of payment in Australia are EFTPOS, Mastercard, Visa or cash (cheques are not accepted). If applying overseas, check with the nearest Australian mission for details of the current fee and acceptable methods and currency of payment.

The Passports Office is committed to issuing a travel document within ten working days. This timeframe excludes the time taken for the Passport Office to receive the application and the time taken to deliver the document from the Passport Office to the applicant. If you require a two working day turnaround, ask about the priority processing service. An additional fee applies.

An adult passport is normally valid for 10 years.

A seniors’ passport (available to those aged 75 or over) is valid for 5 years; a lower fee applies.

If your passport has been lost or stolen

If your current or recently expired passport has been lost or stolen, you will need to complete an Application for Australian Passport: Adult form to replace it. All lost and stolen travel documents should be reported immediately, regardless of whether you wish to replace the travel document or not. Contact the Australian Passport Information Service on 131 232 or your nearest overseas mission if this occurs whilst overseas.

NOTE

Further details about DFAT’s rights, obligations and policies in relation to obtaining and disclosing

information are available in the Passports Privacy brochure or at www.passports.gov.au

 

 

 

Photograph requirements

You must provide two identical colour photographs of yourself. The photos must:

be no more than six months old, have appropriate brightness and contrast, and show your skin tones naturally

be between 35mm and 40mm in width, and between 45mm and 50mm in height, be of good quality colour and on high quality paper, with no ink or marks on the image

be in sharp focus and clear

be of your head and top of your shoulders and show your shoulders square on (not portrait style with you looking over one shoulder) and show your face square on (both edges of the face should be visible)

show you looking straight at the camera, and your head not tilted

be taken with a neutral expression (not laughing or frowning) with your mouth closed

be close up, so that the head takes up between 32mm and 36mm of the photo (see diagram at section 5 over the page)

have a plain, light-coloured background and be taken with uniform lighting (no shadows across the face) show your eyes open and clearly visible, and no hair in your eyes

show your eyes clearly through glasses—if you wear them—with no flash reflection off the glasses, and no tinted lenses (if possible, avoid heavy glasses frames—wear lighter framed glasses if you have them)

show you without any hat or other head covering (if you wear a head covering for religious reasons, we will accept a photograph of you wearing it, but your facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of your face must be clearly shown).

Note: due to security printing requirements, images reproduced in passports will not be photographic quality and will appear different from the photographs supplied.

Acceptable

45MM

Not square on

Too dark

Too light

Too far away

 

 

 

Form PC7_0812 (Page 1 of 2)

Common mistakes

  1. Incorrect Passport Submission: Applicants often fail to provide the passport that matches the number printed on the application form. This is a crucial step, as the application cannot be processed without the correct passport.

  2. Photograph Requirements Not Met: Many individuals do not adhere to the strict guidelines for passport photographs. Common mistakes include using outdated photos, poor lighting, or images where the applicant's face is not clearly visible.

  3. Inaccurate Personal Information: Filling out the form with incorrect details, such as name, date of birth, or sex, can lead to delays or rejections. It is essential to ensure all information matches the existing passport.

  4. Failure to Make an Appointment: Some applicants neglect to schedule an appointment at a Passport Office when required. This can result in longer wait times or the inability to submit the application in person.

Dos and Don'ts

When filling out the Australian Passport Renewal form, it’s important to follow certain guidelines to ensure a smooth process. Here are some things you should and shouldn’t do:

  • Do ensure you have an adult Australian passport that was valid for at least 2 years when issued.
  • Do make sure your passport was issued after 1/7/2000 and is in your current name, date of birth, and sex.
  • Do provide two identical color photographs that meet the specified requirements.
  • Do lodge your application in person at an Australia Post outlet if you are renewing in Australia.
  • Don’t forget to make an appointment if required, especially when lodging at a Passport Office.
  • Don’t use a passport that has been lost or stolen without reporting it first.
  • Don’t submit a passport application without the required payment method accepted by the Passport Office.
  • Don’t take photographs that do not meet the specific guidelines outlined in the application.

By adhering to these recommendations, you can help ensure that your passport renewal process goes as smoothly as possible. Remember, your passport is an important document, so taking care during the renewal process is essential.

Misconceptions

  • Misconception 1: You can renew your passport without your old one.
  • To renew your Australian passport, you must present the passport that matches the application form. If you cannot provide your old passport, you cannot use the renewal process.

  • Misconception 2: Appointments are not necessary for all applicants.
  • Only certain applicants need to lodge their forms at a Passport Office. For those who do, appointments are essential. It is advisable to check the criteria on the official website.

  • Misconception 3: Payment methods are the same everywhere.
  • Preferred payment methods vary by location. In Australia, EFTPOS, Mastercard, Visa, or cash are accepted, while overseas applicants should check with their nearest Australian mission for acceptable payment methods.

  • Misconception 4: The processing time is the same for all applications.
  • The Passport Office aims to issue a travel document within ten working days. However, this timeframe does not include the time taken to receive the application or deliver the passport. For urgent requests, a priority processing service is available for an additional fee.

  • Misconception 5: Photograph requirements are flexible.
  • The passport application requires specific photo guidelines. Photos must be recent, of good quality, and meet precise size and lighting conditions. Failing to adhere to these requirements can delay the application process.

  • Misconception 6: You can submit your application by mail.
  • If you are renewing your passport in Australia, you must lodge your application in person at an Australia Post outlet. This is not an option for mail submissions.

Detailed Guide for Using Australian Passport Renewal

Once you have gathered the necessary information and documents, you can begin filling out the Australian Passport Renewal form. Make sure to follow each step carefully to ensure a smooth application process.

  1. Obtain the Australian Passport Renewal Application form, which can be downloaded from the official website or collected from an Australia Post outlet.
  2. Fill in your personal details, including your current name, date of birth, and sex. Ensure that this information matches your existing passport.
  3. Provide your passport number, which is located at the top of page 2 of the form.
  4. Indicate your contact information, including your address and phone number.
  5. Attach two identical color photographs that meet the specified requirements. Ensure they are recent and of good quality.
  6. Sign and date the application form where indicated.
  7. Prepare payment for the renewal fee. Preferred methods include EFTPOS, Mastercard, Visa, or cash. Note that cheques are not accepted.
  8. If you are in Australia, make an appointment to lodge your application in person at an Australia Post outlet. If you are overseas, contact your nearest Australian mission for instructions.

After submitting your application, you can expect the Passport Office to process it within ten working days. If you need your passport sooner, inquire about the priority processing service, which is available for an additional fee.