Important changes to UK passport applications in Australia

Ringing the changes

A new service for UK passport applications in Australia is about to begin.

From Monday 15 June 2009, all passport applications are required to be processed through selected Australia Post outlets.

From 15 June 2009, all applications sent directly to the British High Commission will be returned. This also applies to applications made in person in Canberra or at any other British Consulate in Australia.

Staff at Australia Post will check your passport application with you face-to-face before forwarding on for processing.

Why is this happening?

We are constantly looking for ways to keep the quality of our service as high as it can be and the cost of producing a passport, including the fee you pay, as low as it can be.  So we're re-organising our passport operation world-wide to make sure that happens.  This includes a brand new regional passport processing facility located at the British High Commission in Wellington. The new centre will utilise economies of scale to ensure that passports are delivered consistently, securely and within targets, leveraging new systems to deliver a better service.

Last year 20,000 passport applications were sent back because they were not prepared correctly; documents were missing or the application form wasn't complete.  By having someone go through it with you, there is less chance of this happening.

What do I have to do from 2^nd June?

You’ll need to take your passport application to a selected post office. To find the Australia Post outlet nearest you, click here after 2^nd June 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.

The British High Commission in Canberra will only accept direct postal applications until 15^th June 2009. After that, they’ll be sent back unopened.

How will this new service benefit me?

• Your documents and personal data will be secure.  Australia Post can track the package there and back.
  
• It means you're less likely to endure extra costs and delays if your application hasn't been prepared correctly.

• From 28 September 2009 you can call our new 24 hr help line (Monday to Friday) if you have any questions. Callers will be able to receive real time progress reports on applications and up-to-date information on applying for a UK passport. The call centre can be contacted on:-

0011 44 208 082 4726
Credit Card Line (£0.69p per minute, excluding the cost of an international call)

1902 241 444
Premium Rate Line ($3.52 per minute)

00 11 44 1750 725 368
Hearing Impaired TTY text phone service
(£0.69p per minute, excluding the cost of an international call)

Please note that calls made on a mobile phone may be subject to additional charges, please check with your mobile phone provider.

How much is the fee? 

Australia Post will charge a processing and courier delivery fee for each application.  This will be levied at $50.00.  This covers their costs for providing an appointed facility, identification services, checking each application and the secure courier postage and subsequent return of each application.

See Passport Fees for updated fees.

For more information about passports, click here .

   

Useful links

• auspost-accepting-passport-applications