Important:  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 ‘Application and form lodgement’ to make an online appointment. Alternatively, you can call Australia Post on 13 13 18.

You'll need to take your fee and all the documents you've been asked to provide with you. Australia Post will also collect the processing and courier delivery fee for each application.  This covers the costs for providing an appointed facility, identification services, checking each application and the secure courier postage and subsequent return of each application.

 

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will be issued for unsuccessful or fraudulent passport applications, or for any applications which you ask to be withdrawn before they are completed.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.

Processing - FAQ

How do I ensure my passport is processed quickly?

The major causes in delay to processing your passport are due to incomplete applications. The top five major issues are wrong photos, signature outside the box, original documents , countersignature details and wrong fees.

Why are the requirements important?

Passport photos/ Signature inside the box - International security regulations state that biometrics are required for our passports to be recognised by foreign governments. Specialised equipment has been installed globally and this equipment requires very specific parameters to transfer the data from photos/signatures onto the microchip contained in your passport. If the parameters are not correct on the photo and signature your application will be rejected and returned.

Original Documents 

How do we know its you? It is unfortunate but passports are obtained fraudulently and without the real passport holders' knowledge. Copies of official documents can be obtained online from UK public records (marriage certificates, birth certificates, birth registrations) by anyone with Internet access. Therefore we need original documents not only to demonstrate your eligibility for passport facilities but also to ensure your personal identity information is protected.

Counter signature

The counter signature by a working professional greatly reduces the risk of someone using your information and their photographs to process a fraudulent passport application. We frequently contact counter signatories and therefore need to have all their contact details.

Fees

Over 20% of received applications are rejected as credit cards are declined or bank drafts are made out for the wrong amount. Many applicants still send in personal cheques that cannot be processed.

The failure of customers to supply the items above leads not only to unnecessary delay, frustration and additional expense to customers, but also longer processing times for all applicatants, so we need to get it right first time.

A fast and efficient passport service is beneficial to all of us so please, help us to help you.