From 2 June 2009, you'll need to take your passport application to a selected Australia Post Office.  To find the Australia Post outlet nearest you, click here, and select 'Appointment and form lodgement' to make an online appointment.  Alternatively, you can call Australia Post on 13 13 18.

Click here for a guide to applying through Australia Post.

From 15 June 2009, all applications received directly to the British High Commission will be returned.

 

Processing Time

We strongly advise against making any firm travel arrangements until you have received your passport.

The current processing time for a British passport is approximately 3 weeks from receipt of a complete application.  A complete application is defined as one that includes a correctly completed application form, all the required supporting documents and the correct fee.    

During the 3 week processing time, you can seek progress reports by accessing our call service.

If your previous passport has been lost or stolen, it may take longer to process.

In fairness to all our customers, applications are dealt with in the order that they are received. We regret that we are unable to prioritise applications.

Additional information

Those who apply for a passport in Australia, must be residing in Australia at the time of application. Those currently outside Australia must contact their nearest British High Commission or Embassy.

Please note that the consular offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth cannot sight/witness documents or send passport applications to Canberra on your behalf.

Unless requested by the Passport Office, please do not submit your Australian Passport with your application. We will not return the passport until the application has been finalised.

First time applications for children can sometimes be complex and therefore take longer to process.

Parents are encouraged to obtain passports for new born babies as soon as possible after the birth.

No refunds will be issued for unsuccessful or fraudulent passport applications, or for any applications which you ask to be withdrawn before they are completed. Any application being submitted with an old style Black/Blue passport will be treated as a 'First time application'.

Applying for a passport in the UK

If you live in Australia, you may apply for a passport through Australia Post. Alternatively, you may also apply to the British Identity and Passport Service (IPS) in person whilst visiting the UK. In order to do this, you need to make an appointment with IPS in the UK and you must provide an address in the UK to which the passport may be posted. Applicants will have to be available at this address to sign for the receipt of the passport. Please note that IPS do not accept applications by post or email if you live abroad. Further information about the IPS is available from its website.

Downloading of application forms

We have recently been made aware of websites that charge a fee for the download of British Passport application forms and information leaflets. Please be aware that application forms and information can be downloaded from our website and printed free of charge.