Passports Tips and Hints

It would be advisable to hold a valid passport if:

- you have family living or travelling outside Australia
- you may be required to travel on business at short notice
- you travel overseas regularly

In case of an emergency...

You may nominate anyone you like, but clearly it should be someone who:

- is not travelling with you,

- would be able to contact your family and friends or provide help direct, and,
- is a resident of Australia.

- Most people nominate their next of kin.

You should be aware that different countries require different passport validity requirements for permitting entry. Immigration authorities may refuse entry if you present a passport with inadequate validity.

You should either renew your passport before travelling or check with the diplomatic or consular mission of the country you will be visiting, or your local travel agent, regarding required passport validity.

Locate the nearest Australia Post outlet

Renewing an Australian Adult Passport

If you are an Australian adult citizen aged 18 years or over and can provide at interview an Australian adult passport (valid for at least 2 years) which is current or has expired within the last 12 months and shows your current personal details, you can

select the link below to:

• Complete an Australian Passport Renewal Application

NOTE: All applicants 18 years or over applying for their first adult passport, regardless of whether they previously held a passport as a minor, must complete a full adult passport application form and attend an interview.

If your adult passport expired more than 12 months ago, you must complete a full adult passport application form and attend an interview.

If your passport has been lost or stolen, you are unable to renew it and must complete a full adult passport application form and attend an interview.


If you are unable to complete the form online and are overseas, you can telephone the nearest Australian diplomatic or consular mission. If you qualify, the passports staff will mail you the pre-completed Australian Passport Renewal Application or it can be collected from the mission where the form is requested. If you do not qualify, you can complete the full overseas application form online, or obtain an application from the overseas mission.

If you are unable to complete the form online and are in Australia, you can telephone the Australian Passport Information Service. The operator will check your eligibility and, if you qualify, mail you an Australian passport renewal form pre-completed electronically using information held by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. If you do not qualify, you can complete the full application form online, or obtain an application from an Australia Post outlet.

See also:

• Fees
• Time required to get a passport
• Child passport