Passport Renewal / Application - Time Taken?

[hossein_au]

Sorry not sure about the 3 year window - I thought it was if it had expired within 6 months (at most) - perhaps best to check with the gov web site. I do know that when my passport was stolen 2 years ago I needed to go through the whole process as if I had never had a passport (even though I did have a temporary one issued overseas) - I think the process for naturalised Aussies can be even more complicated - my Australian citizenship document is so old (ie issued before 1980) that the online application process rejected the reference number.

BTW - if the window is 3 years then I guess I understand people's reluctance to renew in the current environment. I personally always like to have valid passports (dual citizenship for me) . . . . you just never know when you might wish to travel or as @ Dr Ralph mentioned sometimes a passport is very useful for identification purposes here.

I think the reason for the complicated process you had to go through was because of nature of the incident ('stolen' passport), rather than the timeframe (2 years after the incident).

I understand your and Dr Ralph's reasoning for wanting a valid and current passport at all times.

 

[Melburnian1]

But why? You have a three year window before renewal becomes problematic. All you're doing is effectively shortening its useful life.

'Useful life' is already less than nine years six months, as there's also the inevitable gap for most non-aviation staff between when one renews and the first trip one makes ex Oz.

Mine expired in February 2021 but unlike some I don't appear to have received a renewal notice. Perhaps a subliminal message?

The Federal (and State) Governments have huge and growing deficits but without being greedy, the Passports Office should be either extending the validity of passports (probably impossible administratively given the expiry date is stated on the photo page, and border officials overseas would only recognise that) or stating that from a date in the future, passports will be valid for say 11.5 or 12 years by Ministerial decree (assuming that doesn't require legislation, or changing of international agreements).

A third alternative would be to reduce the cost of a passport for a predetermined period by say 20 per cent, and to guarantee to only increase it by CPI each year within the next decade. But governments love cash cows.

 

[hossein_au]

'Useful life' is already less than nine years six months, as there's also the inevitable gap for most non-aviation staff between when one renews and the first trip one makes ex Oz.

Mine expired in February 2021 but unlike some I don't appear to have received a renewal notice. Perhaps a subliminal message?

The Federal (and State) Governments have huge and growing deficits but without being greedy, the Passports Office should be either extending the validity of passports (probably impossible administratively given the expiry date is stated on the photo page, and border officials overseas would only recognise that) or stating that from a date in the future, passports will be valid for say 11.5 or 12 years by Ministerial decree (assuming that doesn't require legislation, or changing of international agreements).

A third alternative would be to reduce the cost of a passport for a predetermined period by say 20 per cent, and to guarantee to only increase it by CPI each year within the next decade. But governments love cash cows.

Passport and immigration offices have been a 'revenue' centre for the government instead of being 'service' centres. We continue to be charged hundred of dollars for a passport when a similar passport in Europe would cost tens of Euros.

I, personally, paid over $10,500 for a partner visa application (over $7,000 for the main applicant, and $3,500 for one dependent person over 18). They were not allowed to visit me in Australia while the application was being processed. And the process took so long (almost 2 years) that even though the relationship survived but it was badly bruised :-( This is unethical at best and daylight robbery at worst.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I got a renewal notice. I'll do it for a couple of reasons. Firstly peace of mind... if I need to travel urgently it will be there. Secondly... once travel opens there could be huge backlog and longer processing times. Who wants to wait and miss a bargain if they have cheap fares to stimulate demand?

So I lose one year on the passport... $30. Doesn't seem to bad as 'insurance'.

 

[whereiskym]

My passport expired April 2020. Have just renewed received within a week. When I was at the post office the person behind me was also renewing. I guess now there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. I would like to be able to travel when we are allowed to again. Can see there being a rush for people renewing or obtaining passports once borders reopen. Just my thoughts

 

[jastel]

Mine expired last Sept...so effectively useless from last March...no messages from Govt.
I had a trip booked last year in Aug and knew I had to renew it but then covid happened and now I have saved 1 year basically.

I have let it slide for now but will probably renew about Aug/Sept if things stay the same.

I also have a valid UK passport...but can see no reason to go overseas anytime soon.

 

[CMA222]

Mine expired in November 2020 (and I have not received any reminder) and the relevant departmental website allows you three years to renew without going through a full application. You can prepare the application on-line and you have 3 months to finalise it after which it drops off. I just go in every 10 - 12 weeks and change a date then change it back again and I have another three months with the application sitting ready to go on the push of one button.

 

[Tag2305]

Anyone know if one would be allowed to re-enter Australia on a foreign passport and with their Australian citizenship certificate? Would airlines refuse boarding without a visa even though you have proof of citizenship and an expired Australian passport?

I left quite happily on my British passport as my Australian was being renewed, on return they held me at immigration,questioned me, then charged me for an Australian visa, regardless of my Australian status, and I had paperwork to prove my status, but I was travelling on a British passport.

 

[serfty]

Passport renewal at less than three years expiry is generally less than a two week process all up.

My last renewal was in 2017 so not a current issue for me but I would not be renewing until just before the three years were up if I weren't travelling internationally.

They are now $301 for 10 years.

 

[SuePa]

As I said before, mine expires in April. I will need to renew it before the end of the year so I can send the details to the company I'll be travelling with in July 22 (fingers crossed), but I won't have any need for one before that, unfotunately.

 

[Mattg]

With New Zealand opening up later this month, I wonder if the passport office will suddenly become a lot busier.

 

[Melburnian1]

With New Zealand opening up later this month, I wonder if the passport office will suddenly become a lot busier.

It'll be busier than for the last 14-15 months, but perhaps not frantic.

I looked up the 12 months to May 2019 international passenger departures ex Australia. At that time, annual (pre-COVID-19) departures to NZ accounted for 17.1 per cent of international passengers outbound. This includes Australians and foreigners, but for the purposes of the argument let's assume it's a 50:50 split. (Slightly more of us travel to NZ than Kiwis come here: in the media yesterday there was discussion about how we spend more per capita there than they do in Oz).

So that's a little more than one in six bound (initially at least) for NZ.

Interestingly about the same percentage (17 per cent) of outbound passengers initially went to 'other countries' outside of the top 10, so it's not as if everyone goes at first to NZ, Singaoore or USA. Doha, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, New Delhi, Santiago (Chile) and Vancouver (Canada) are a few of the many destinations not in the 'top 10 countries' for departures ex Oz.

Post automatically merged: Apr 11, 2021

Passport renewal at less than three years expiry is generally less than a two week process all up.

My last renewal was in 2017 so not a current issue for me but I would not be renewing until just before the three years were up if I weren't travelling internationally.

They are now $301 for 10 years.

It'd be a slap in the face if the cost rises in the May 2021 Federal Budget.

Not a major expense for most who (unlike many in developing countries) can afford to travel, but that's my selfish first world minor gripe for the week.

 

[albatross710]

according to their website 1,745,300 Australian passports issued annually. Looking at the above it seems <20% actually renewed, so the longer this goes on, the greater the backlog + new expirations to be issued pushing the office to a new peak, every day. Co-ordinating various family pics, witnesses, documents and then a few slow postal movements and it just adds complexity.

$301 for ten years, so about $30/year to have a passport.

the cost of finesse could be higher than getting it out of the way while the passport office is quiet.

PS, my last passport renewal, submitted at post office on a Monday and picked-up from Brisbane city passport office on Wednesday of the same week. I had been trying to maximise by renewal then found myself in a one week turnaround between trips. instead of saving $30 it cost me the express fee.

 

[Vic]

Funnily enough, I know that, but it is somewhat reassuring. I have lived here for 50 years, and the process is NOT more complicated.

Oh, and being an Australian citizen, and having been a permanent officer of the Department of Immigration and of the Department of Foreign Affairs (at different times, of course) for many years helps with my understanding of the rules.

Notwithstanding your inside knowledge.
The last time I "renewed" a Child passport it was very much more complicated. Children are not allowed to renew, and are treated as new applications. It was more complicated than the adult passports renewed at the same time.

 

[PineappleSkip]

the Passports Office should be either extending the validity of passports (probably impossible administratively given the expiry date is stated on the photo page, and border officials overseas would only recognise that) or stating that from a date in the future, passports will be valid for say 11.5 or 12 years by Ministerial decree (assuming that doesn't require legislation, or changing of international agreements).

PassportKeeper! I like it!

Passport and immigration offices have been a 'revenue' centre for the government instead of being 'service' centres.

No, they're not. Aust Govt policy has generally been full cost recovery where fee is for a service, like a passport. If the charge is higher, it is a tax and comply with constitutional requirements for imposing taxes. BTW don't shoot me; I'm only a messenger.

cheers skip

 

[serfty]

PassportKeeper! I like it!

Ha! Sort of stumbles around before falling off the tongue and landing in a messy way ...

VisaKeepa ?



Nup ....

 

[Mattg]

An interesting comment in an SMH article today:

Meanwhile, Trade and Tourism Minister Dan Tehan has flagged high demand is likely to lead to long wait times for Australians needing to renew their passports before they can get on a plane.

“The department is doing everything it can to prepare but longer than usual processing times can’t be ruled out ... once you’re fully vaccinated, it’s time to dust off your passport and make sure it is still valid,” Mr Tehan said.

Foreign airlines at risk of pulling out, leading to fewer flights, higher fares

The country’s airports have warned the federal government that foreign airlines are at risk of pulling out of Australia, even as the country reopens its international border, unless clearer plans are locked in immediately.

www.smh.com.au

Anyone thinking about renewing their passport now and getting in before the (possible) rush?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Anyone thinking about renewing their passport now and getting in before the (possible) rush?

Did mine a couple of months ago. Potentially lose 6 months on the validity waiting for borders to open - but that $15 seems like good insurance to have the passport ready to go as soon as we can travel

 

[jakeseven7]

Did mine a couple of months ago. Potentially lose 6 months on the validity waiting for borders to open - but that $15 seems like good insurance to have the passport ready to go as soon as we can travel

Fed Gov confirmed again that 80% double jabbed it’s game on. So airlines, airports and governments can start planning.

 

[Tag2305]

Anyone know if one would be allowed to re-enter Australia on a foreign passport and with their Australian citizenship certificate? Would airlines refuse boarding without a visa even though you have proof of citizenship and an expired Australian passport?

I did that years ago, Aussie passport getting a new visa, so travelled on my British with a Naturalisation certificate, all ok, they did ask why and I explained about the visa issue, it was fine, but that may gave changed. I don't understand why we pay for 10 years but only get 9 1/2 most counties these days expect 6 months validity on your passport to travel, money grabbing.