Passport services

Last Updated
Wednesday, 15/02/2023

Are you planning to travel overseas this year?

Renew or apply for your passport early as passport demand remains high. You’ll need to allow at least six weeks to get your passport.



Where possible, don't book flights without a valid passport.

If you can't wait at least six weeks for your passport, you can use the priority processing service.

If you've already booked your trip and need a passport, please call 131 232 to let the Australian Passport Office know your travel dates.

For more information on how passport applications are prioritised, visit the Australian Passports Office website or contact the office via their online enquiries form. 

 

You need a valid passport to travel overseas. If you're an Australian citizen, or a dual citizen wanting to travel as an Australian, you need a valid Australian passport. Every person travelling must have their own passport, including children.

Your Australian passport is an important proof of your identity and citizenship.

Explore this page to learn the basics of:

Be prepared. Check what to do before you go, and what you must do if something happens to your passport overseas.

How to get a passport

The Australian Passport Office, part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, issues Australian passports. You can complete your application online and lodge it at a participating Australia Post outlet, or at an Australian embassy or consulate overseas.

To get an Australian passport, you need to prove your identity and Australian citizenship. The steps in the application process are:

Start the process well before you travel. It can take time to gather what you need and apply. You'll have to pay an additional fee if you want to fast track your application.

For detailed information about how to get a new passport, or renew your passport, see the Australian Passport Office website.

Passport validity

Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for six months after you plan to leave that country. Some airlines also impose this rule on their own initiative. It can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over. Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. You can receive conflicting advice from different sources. Getting it wrong can mean being stranded.

Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Protecting your passport and identity

Your passport is a valuable document. It's your proof of identity and citizenship overseas. You are responsible for ensuring your passport isn’t damaged, and it should be stored securely.

Some people may trick you into handing over your passport. It's attractive to people who want to use your identity to commit crimes.

To protect your passport:

  • always know where your passport is
  • keep it in a safe place
  • keep it dry

More tips and information for protecting your passport.

If you've been the victim of identity theft, you can contact IDCARE for support.

Passport damage

Normal wear and tear to your passport shouldn't be a problem. More serious damage can stop you from travelling. It's important that:

  • there are no tears or cuts in the passport pages, especially the photo page
  • everything on the photo page is legible and clear
  • there are no marks across your photo or in the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) on the photo page
  • no pages have been removed
  • there is no alteration or tampering

If you’re not sure about the condition of your passport, call the Australian Passport Office on 131 232 or contact your nearest Australian embassy or consulate overseas.  We may need to see your passport to assess it.

Emergency passports

If you’re overseas and have a genuine and urgent need to travel, you can apply for an emergency passport at an Australian embassy or consulate overseas.

Emergency passports are only valid for up to 12 months and don’t have a chip. Because of this, there are restrictions on using them in some countries. Check the visa requirements of any country you plan to enter or transit via our travel advice.

You can apply for a new passport at the same time as you apply for an emergency passport, and collect the new passport when you get home.

SmartGates, eGates and ePassports

All Australian passports, except for emergency passports, are ePassports. An ePassport contains an electronic chip that helps to confirm your identity.

International airports in Australia, and some overseas, allow Australians with ePassports to use automated passport control machines. Australia calls these machines SmartGates. Other countries might call them eGates. They use facial recognition technology and your ePassport to check your identity and authenticate your passport.

The Australian Border Force is responsible for SmartGate operations in Australia.

Learn more about using ePassports with SmartGates from the Australian Border Force.

Dual citizenship and passports

If you're a dual citizen, you may have two passports. This can affect your ability to access consular help in some countries.

Australians, including dual nationals, should depart and enter Australia on their Australian passport. If you have a passport from another country, you can use that for travel once you have left Australia if you wish.

Consider which passport you want to travel on. Read our advice for dual nationals.

Passport assistance overseas

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

What we can do

We can help you if your passport is lost, stolen or damaged while you're overseas.

We can issue a new passport, emergency passport or provisional travel document to help you get back to Australia.

If you need help overseas, call your nearest Australian embassy or consulate, or call our 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305.

If you're an Australian living overseas, we can process passport renewal applications. Contact your nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

What we can't do

We can't give consular help to dual nationals who aren't travelling on an Australian passport in some countries. Consider which passport you travel on.

If you need an Australian passport, visit the Australian Passport Office.

Final tips before you go

Prepare before you travel:

  • check that your passport is valid for at least six months from the date you will depart your destination
  • apply for a passport early, if you don't already have one
  • research entry and exit requirements in your destination country
  • apply for a visa, if required
  • if you're a dual national, research local laws and decide which passport you will travel on

Read next

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See also

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Advice for dual nationals

Many Australians hold two or more nationalities. If you're travelling to the country of your other nationality, find out how your citizenship can impact you.

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