Getting an Australian passport is more than just filling up a form and sending in a photo. You need to verify you are an Australian citizen and produce acceptable identity documents. You must meet the passport photo standards. You must complete the correct application process and pay the applicable charge.
The Australian Passport Office has separate procedures for new adult passports, renewals, passports for children and applications made outside Australia. Grasping these prerequisites prior to submitting an application will assist minimise unnecessary delays.
This FAQ guide outlines the essential criteria and procedures for applying for an Australian passport in plain, practical language (covering eligibility, paperwork, photos, fees, processing times, renewal rules, child passports and abroad applications).
What is a Passport from Australia?
An Australian passport is an official travel document for eligible Australian nationals. It serves as proof of identification and citizenship for foreign travel.
Australian citizens who have the appropriate proof of their citizenship and identity can apply for a passport. The Australian Passport Office says that in all cases, being born in Australia does not automatically indicate a person is an Australian citizen, hence proof of citizenship must be shown with the required documentation.
Who is eligible for an Australian passport?
Who can apply for an Australian passport?
The main criteria to be eligible for a new passport is proof of your Australian citizenship. Applicants must additionally furnish their identity and supporting documents as required by the Australian Passport Office.
As a general rule, you must be an Australian citizen to apply for an Australian passport. Certain non-citizens in certain situations may be eligible for other Australian travel documents.
What do I need to apply for an Australian passport?
The specific documents needed will differ depending on the applicant’s circumstances, for example, their country of birth and whether they are applying for a new passport or renewing an existing one.
General requirements for a new adult passport
- Proof of Australian citizenship
- Full and authentic Australian birth certificate where applicable
- Personal facts necessary on identity documents
- Current photo, signature and address documents
- Any name or gender change, if appropriate, proof of
- Two passport pictures to Australian specifications
- Referee or guarantor details necessary
Original documents should be sent with the application. Non-English documents often require full translation by an approved translation provider.
What documents do Australian applicants need?
Applicants born in Australia normally require their full original Australian birth certificate issued by the applicable State or Territory Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
They also require other approved identity documents revealing information like their current photograph, address and signature.
The Australian Passport Office maintains a number of forms of identity documents. These may include an Australian driver licence, proof-of-age card, Medicare card, bank or credit card, foreign passport and documentation showing a current residential address, depending on the circumstances.
What if the applicant is born outside the country?
Generally, an adult candidate born overseas will be required to submit an Australian citizenship certificate.
They might also need to provide proof of their gender and place of birth. This may be an original foreign birth certificate with certified English translation, foreign passport, or other official evidence, depending upon what is already mentioned on their citizenship record.
The document requirements may differ depending on the citizenship and identification records, thus applicants should verify their own document requirements before submitting the application.
How many passport photos do you need?
You are required to provide two passport photos with your Australian passport application.
The photos must meet the specifications of the Australian Passport Office. The photographs should be fresh, good quality colour prints and should be a true likeness of the applicant without digital editing.
What size is an Australian passport photo?
Australian passport photo dimensions
- Width: 35–40 mm
- Height: 45–50 mm
- Face measurement: 32–36 mm from chin to crown
The photographs must be good quality colour photographs on suitable glossy heavy-weight paper, printed from images less than six months old.
What are the Australian passport photo requirements?
The face has to be clearly visible in the passport photo and the applicant has to be gazing directly toward the camera.
The Australian Passport Office demands good lighting, a plain white or light-grey background, crisp focus, natural skin tone and no shadows or reflections. For those above three, the person needs to have their eyes open and a neutral look.
Photos must not show evident manipulation, including any adjustments that erase face traits such as moles, wrinkles or scars.
Religious head coverings may be permitted if the face is completely visible and the covering complies with appropriate standards.
Can I use a mobile phone taken passport photo?
What does the Australian Passport Office recommend?
Instead of using online passport picture services or mobile apps, use a professional passport photo supplier with experience.
Regardless of where they are taken, the final images must still meet all Australian passport photo standards. Incorrect images can cause you to request replacement photographs and delay the application.
Do I need a referee or a guarantor?
To get a new passport, you need someone to authenticate who you are.
It depends on the application. Normally the online application process will need the applicant providing a referee. A guarantor is necessary for a paper application.
In Australia, referees or guarantors are usually required to be an Australian citizen adult who has known the applicant for more than 12 months and meets the relevant passport or electoral roll requirements.
You do not require a referee or guarantor if you are applying to renew an existing Australian passport that is still valid.
Who cannot be my referee or my guarantor?
Only some people can validate an applicant’s identity.
For applications made in Australia, the person normally cannot be related to the applicant by birth or marriage, live at the same address, be in a de facto or registered relationship with the applicant or be an Australian Passport Officer or Australia Post employee.
Applicants should check current criteria before choosing their referee or guarantor.
How can I get an Australian passport?
In Australia, there are usually two ways to complete an adult passport application – online or on paper.
To apply online, the applicant must complete the application using the application portal of the Australian Passport Office, download and print the completed form, assemble the necessary papers and images, and lodge the application at a participating Australia Post outlet.
You can also get a paper application form and fill it out following the Passport Office’s instructions.
Completing the form online doesn’t mean the whole passport application is submitted electronically. You will still need to print out the completed form and lodge it with the original documents.
Where should I lodge my Australian passport application?
In Australia, applicants often submit their completed passport application to an Australia Post outlet which provides this service.
When you submit the application you will need to bring the completed application form, passport photographs and relevant original papers and pay the applicable charge.
Those applicants who are unable to lodge an application in person due to physical reasons can contact the Australian Passport Office for help.
What is the cost of an Australian passport in 2026?
The Australian Passport Office has the following fees from 1 January 2026:
Australian passport fees
- Adult passport, 10-year validity: A$422
- Child passport, 5-year validity: A$213
- Optional 5-year adult passport for those aged 75+: A$213
- Replacement passport: A$265
- Emergency passport abroad: A$265
- Priority processing: Additional A$308
- Fast Track processing: A$107 extra
Fees may be subject to change. Applicants should verify the current fee immediately before submitting an application.
How long does it take to get an Australian passport?
Applicants should allow at least six weeks from the time of lodging the application to receive their new passport under standard processing.
The Australian Passport Office’s processing report for July 2026 says that more than 98% of travel documents were available within six weeks, but complex applications may take longer.
The delivery time is independent from the processing time. The Passport Office says it usually takes around a week to deliver a passport once it has been submitted by Registered Post.
Is there a way to speed up the process of getting an Australian passport?
Eligible candidates in Australia may be able to use speedier processing services.
Available faster processing services
- Priority processing: within 2 business days
- Fast Track: up to five business days processing
Processing times start from when the Passport Office receives a completed application and do not include delivery or mailing time. Not every application will qualify for expedited processing.
Can I renew an Australian passport?
Yes. Eligible Australian passports can be renewed instead of applying for a new passport.
An adult renewal requires the previous passport to be valid under certain conditions. It must have been issued when the applicant was at least 16 years old and issued on or after 1 January 2006 and issued with at least two years of validity and contain the applicant’s current name, date of birth, place of birth and gender.
The passport also must not be reported lost, stolen or cancelled and must be produced when the application is made.
Where the existing passport does not meet these conditions, the applicant usually has to apply for a new adult passport.
Do I need a referee when renewing my passport?
No. A qualified adult passport renewal does not need a referee or guarantor.
Applicants must instead provide the current passport, requisite pictures, completed application form and any supporting papers as requested by the Passport Office.
What happens to an old passport when you renew it?
When you apply for a passport in Australia and hold a current passport, your current passport will usually be cancelled when you register your new passport application.
This implies you may not be able to use the current passport for overseas travel or identification until you receive the new one.
The validity of the old passport does not carry over to the new passport. The new passport is valid from the date it is issued.
Applicants should therefore examine overseas travel plans before filing a renewal application.
What is the Australian passport expiry period?
Adult passports are normally good for 10 years.
Children 0–15 years old can get a passport for a maximum of 5 years. Under Australian passport requirements, children who are 16 or 17 years old can apply for passports that are valid for 10 years.
If you are 75 or over, you can pay the extra cost for an optional five-year adult passport.
What are the children’s requirements for Australian passports?
Child passports have further restrictions, as parental responsibility and consent need to be established.
Documents usually required for a child passport
- The child’s original full birth certificate
- Proof of the child being an Australian citizen
- Two passport-size acceptable pictures
- Any evidence of pertinent name changes
- Relevant court orders
- Documents or forms establishing parenthood if necessary
- Parental consent where required
With the child application process, you will need to include original documents with the application as well.
Will a youngster need parental permission?
Generally, full parental approval is sought from all those with parental responsibility for the child.
Each person giving consent must complete the parts of the application for consent that apply. Consent signatures require an appropriate adult to witness.
Another option could be an Australian court order allowing the youngster to get an Australian passport or to travel overseas. Applications that do not have full permission or a necessary court order may take longer and require additional assessment.
What if one parent disagrees?
In some cases, a child’s passport application can still be considered where full parental consent is not provided.
For example, a suitable Australian court order may allow a passport to be issued. In some scenarios, the Passport Office may look at an application on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
In a special-circumstances instance, a passport may not be issued, and further papers and supporting documents may be needed.
Applications submitted without full parental approval or a court order may take considerably longer than normal applications and have no option for expedited processing.
Can a 16 or 17-year-old apply for a passport?
Yes. Under the Australian passport laws, a child who has never been married and who is under 18 years of age is considered a child for passport purposes.
Children who are aged 16 or 17 can get a passport that is valid for up to 10 years. For lodgments in Australia, a youngster aged 16 or 17 must attend the lodgment appointment with the individual lodging the application.
How do I apply for an Australian passport when overseas?
If you are an Australian citizen outside of Australia, you can apply for a new passport or renew an existing passport at your nearest Australian embassy or consulate.
The application may be generally commenced by the use of the online form or a suitable paper form. The completed application, pictures and original documents must then be lodged as per local embassy or consulate instruction.
For applicants outside Australia, check the local Australian embassy or consulate website since appointment, payment, submission and delivery arrangements may differ by location.
Are Australian passport applications overseas processed more quickly?
No. Applicants for Australian adult passports lodged overseas are not eligible for the faster processing services for qualified applicants in Australia.
The Australian Passport Office recommends that applicants overseas allow at least six weeks and contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate to ask about processing and delivery.
An overseas surcharge may apply. From 1 January 2026, the listed surcharge will be A$189 for an adult passport and A$92 for a child passport.
What if my passport documents aren’t in English?
Documents must usually be in English or have a full translation from a certified translation company.
This applies to important documents used to establish identification, citizenship and other information for the application.
Applicants should not expect that a casual translation or a self-translation will meet the Passport Office’s needs.
Is it possible to follow my Australian passport application?
Yes. After lodging the application, applicants can use the application number to check the status of the passport application via the Australian Passport Office’s status tracking facility.
Therefore, it is handy to keep the application number handy during the processing period.
What are common blunders while applying for an Australian passport?
An application can be delayed by several avoidable factors.
Typical difficulties
- Providing inaccurate or incomplete information
- Sending photos that do not satisfy the official requirements
- Failure to present original documents when asked
- Identity documents falling outside the scope of the applicable categories
- Forgetting proof of a name change
- Choosing the wrong referee or guarantor
- Missing necessary parental consent for a child application
- Providing partial translations
- Insufficient time to make travel arrangements
Passport images are of particular importance, as photographs not in accordance may lead to a request for replacement photographs.
What do I need to check before I apply for my passport?
A simple pre-submission checklist can help avoid needless complications.
Checklist for applying for an Australian passport
- Completed the appropriate passport application form
- Confirmation of Australian citizenship
- Collected the necessary original identity documents
- Two compatible passport pictures taken
- Checked documentation for name/gender change
- Confirmed that your referee or guarantor is eligible, if applicable
- Got all the necessary parental approval for a child application
- Provided approved translations to English when necessary
- Checked current passport fees
- Allowed enough time for processing and delivery
Before lodging the application, check whether you are eligible for a faster processing service instead of presuming that all applications can be expedited for urgent travel.
How To Avoid Australian Passport Delays The Easiest Way
The most pragmatic way to do this is to prepare the application entirely before lodging it.
See if you need a new passport or if you are eligible for renewal. Then check your citizenship and identity documents, get compliant images, confirm your referee or guarantor when applicable and evaluate the application for missing information.
If the application is for a child, ensure you have completed parental consent and all appropriate court papers before submitting. Applications that are missing full consent can take much longer.
Key Takeaway: What Are the Main Rules for Australian Passports?
The Australian passport application procedure is underpinned by a number of key requirements, including citizenship, identification, compliant pictures, right documents, suitable identity confirmation, payment of the required fee and proper lodgment.
An adult applying in Australia would normally complete the application, provide original papers and two passport photographs, confirm the requisite referee or guarantor, lodge the application at a participating location and pay the price.
From 1 January 2026, a normal 10-year adult passport will cost A$422 and take at least six weeks for routine processing. If you are an eligible candidate and need your passport sooner, you may be able to pay for Priority or Fast Track processing.
There are also criteria for child applications addressing parental responsibility and permission. Australians applying from overseas must follow the procedures of the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.
As passport prices, procedures and requirements may vary, applicants should always check the latest information with the Australian Passport Office before lodging an application.
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