Passport Renewal / Application - Time Taken?

[Echyy888]

It took me three phone calls to get someone who actually knew what they were doing
She said so many new staff are basically useless

Keep calling them - the timeframe is unacceptable
I waited 17 weeks

did you get yours on the 17 week mark? Was there anything else you needed to do to expedite the process? I’m in the same boat, this is week 17.

 

[MARTINE]

Will try that option. Has anyone had any luck with escalating to their MP?

I mention this as had issue w my DOB being incorrect in Medicare so none of my vax stuff could be linked to passport. sent an email (on advice of an AFFer) to minister from webpage ; was contacted and fixed in two days.

I wish you the best of luck

https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/

its Penny Wong

 

[zylian]

Pertinent 7News article:

Urgent warning for Aussies hoping to travel abroad in summer

‘If you’re thinking of travelling overseas during the summer break, plan ahead.’

7news.com.au

"The department recommends customers allow at the very least six weeks to receive their passport."

 

[Echyy888]

After 18 weeks we finally got the email that our daughters passport was ready for collection. It’s been a long and tedious process with regular contact to the operators each time a different status update was provided. One day it’s “processing” and the next it’s “ready for print” then back to “processing”.

Annoyed is an understatement. In the end emails we’re sent to 3 different DFAT addresses, 1 to federal MP and 1 to local MP. We attached our itinerary for additional proof.

Not sure if it was coincidence or if the emails lit a firecracker under the team but we’re now able to join the queue this time for collection.

I’m almost certain that the April / May applications were put into the abyss. Extremely frustrating having to chase our tails for no meaningful updates.

Understand that the APO have been swamped but I felt as though the call centre staff were basically saying whatever they could to palm us off to the next person.

Good luck to those who are still waiting.

 

[ellen10]

I am still waiting to receive a copy of my marriage certificate (married many years ago but the passport office no longer accepts a church certificate. Service NSW centre said two weeks, apply online. I applied online and 51/2 weeks later still waiting. MBD site says 2-3 weeks?! I have rung 4 times and emailed twice. Phone service officers say the application is all ok. Escalated it 2 weeks ago but still no certificate.
Beyond annoyed why would a copy of a marriage certificate take so long? It is just a copy of something that is on their records and accurred many years ago.
I cannot apply for a new passport (my previous one is lost), until I receive this certificate. We have flights in early November. Getting quite stressed now.

 

[MARTINE]

After 18 weeks we finally got the email that our daughters passport was ready for collection. It’s been a long and tedious process with regular contact to the operators each time a different status update was provided. One day it’s “processing” and the next it’s “ready for print” then back to “processing”.

Annoyed is an understatement. In the end emails we’re sent to 3 different DFAT addresses, 1 to federal MP and 1 to local MP. We attached our itinerary for additional proof.

Not sure if it was coincidence or if the emails lit a firecracker under the team but we’re now able to join the queue this time for collection.

I’m almost certain that the April / May applications were put into the abyss. Extremely frustrating having to chase our tails for no meaningful updates.

Understand that the APO have been swamped but I felt as though the call centre staff were basically saying whatever they could to palm us off to the next person.

Good luck to those who are still waiting.

Enjoy your trip
I have 3 years left on mine. Perhaps I better apy once I get back from this trip

 

[calledieu]

Is everyone still receiving P-series passports or have some of you received R-Series?
You'd think with the rush to renew the P stockpile would be pretty low by now and R-series can only be just around the corner.
According to DFAT (passports.gov.au - "We are rolling out the R Series in stages from September 2022. Until the end of 2022, some passport customers will still receive a P Series passport."

Just registered to post this since I found this thread shortly after I applied - I just received my passport yesterday and it's R-series.

Lodged it at AusPost on 9th September, got the email regarding finalisation on 21st Sep (passport issue date is a few days earlier though) and received by registered mail on 27th Sep - a little wrinkled due to the rain but otherwise ok. Really grateful for the fast turnaround and also getting the new design, since it seems they just formally announced the rollout on Sep 23.

 

[ellen10]

@calledieu did you pay for priority?

 

[calledieu]

@calledieu did you pay for priority?

No, just regular processing. It was through the streamlined process online where I only needed to submit/get new photos and bring my old passport and the checklist, no other documentation, since it was just a renewal and my old passport hadn't expired. Even so, it seems I still got lucky especially reading some other horror stories here and elsewhere. I think the online status changed from "Lodged" to "Under assessment" within maybe a day or two.

 

[BB197]

No, just regular processing. It was through the streamlined process online where I only needed to submit/get new photos and bring my old passport and the checklist, no other documentation, since it was just a renewal and my old passport hadn't expired. Even so, it seems I still got lucky especially reading some other horror stories here and elsewhere. I think the online status changed from "Lodged" to "Under assessment" within maybe a day or two.

Which state/territory are you in if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[calledieu]

Which state/territory are you in if you don’t mind me asking?

Victoria, which may also have helped since I believe the printing facility is here?

 

[Stone]

12 and a half weeks and counting now for my older 2 children. It's now been triaged on the basis of travel dates, which they've told me is all that can be done. Unfortunately you can't get an indication of where it is in the system or if it will even be approved in time.
The inconsistencies rile you; a colleague applied only 3 weeks ago for her son's passport and it was delivered yesterday, despite a documented travel date of February next year. It will be a very unhappy household if we need to cancel travels due to no passports.

 

[Duffa]

Anyone got a timeframe for a simple online renewal of existing current passport for an adult, please.
Sympathies to all the parents .....

 

[ellen10]

Yay! finally have my new passport in my hand! After waiting 6.5 weeks (their site said 2-3 weeks!) to get a copy of my marriage certificate and numerous phone calls and emails to Births Deaths and Marriages, I was not willing to chance my passport application on standard processing (lost my previous one).

I paid priority and 7 days to the day of them receiving my application, it was delivered today. I read the horror stories of people still waiting since May/June and I feel so sorry for them. With travelling in 2 weeks I could not risk any further delay. I am in NSW, but it was posted from Dandenong.

It is the "R" series, has a hologram of my face. Main picture in in black and white and another coloured one on the next page to quote the government page: "The new 'R Series' passport has a different look and feel to previous Australian travel documents. The photo page is made of tough, high-security, layered plastic, known as polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is laser-engraved, not printed with ink."
No plastic cover though.

So now I can finish planning our trip, sigh. I was not game to do any more bookings.

 

[Duffa]

Applied today and the post office lady cut up my existing, valid passport!! Is this the normal procedure?

 

[prozac]

Applied today and the post office lady cut up my existing, valid passport!! Is this the normal procedure?

Generally a corner of cover.

 

[ellen10]

Applied today and the post office lady cut up my existing, valid passport!! Is this the normal procedure?

Yes once you apply for the new passport they destroy your exisiting one.

 

[Jos888]

Anyone got a timeframe for a simple online renewal of existing current passport for an adult, please.
Sympathies to all the parents .....

Bumping this. I'd also like to know the answer to this question. Anyone?

 

[stm1sydney]

Applied today and the post office lady cut up my existing, valid passport!! Is this the normal procedure?

What if you need to travel during the 6-12 weeks while you are waiting for your new passport (but you need to apply for the new one because your old one is expiring)? Can one plead a special case?

 

[Stone]

After a second follow up phone call I received my children's this week. If you have been waiting a long time and travel dates are approaching, call the number on the DFAT website and I think they will prioritise your case.