News

We've introduced a new passport application status tracker!

The status tracker lets you check the progress of your passport application online, including an estimated date for when your passport will be ready to collect or post.

All passports can now be tracked, including child, priority and fast-track applications, as well as those lodged overseas.

You can use the status tracker once you've lodged your passport application. You will need your application number (e.g. AB123456A). If you don't have your application number, see where do I find my application number?

You can also sign into your AusPassport account to check the status of your application. You can access your AusPassport account from the apply or renew page.

This new service is one of several exciting changes to modernise Australia's passport service. Stay tuned! 

It’s a good idea to check your passport if you’re planning to travel soon.

You’d be surprised how many people grab their passport just before heading to the airport, only to realise it’s damaged or expired, or they can’t find it.

Avoid a last-minute nasty surprise and check your passport today. Make sure it’s:

• free from damage
• has at least 2 blank pages
• not expiring soon^

^Some countries require you to have at least 6 months left on your passport from your trip’s end date. Visit the Smartraveller website for the entry requirements of the countries you plan to visit.

Need to apply or renew? - you can start online:

Apply or renew | Australian Passport Office (passports.gov.au)

We're aware of fake email messages impersonating the Australian Passport Office. These fraudulent emails contain malicious links and QR codes to try to get your personal information.

If you get a suspicious email or text message claiming to be from us:

• don’t click on any links or open attachments
• don’t respond to the sender
• do report it
• do delete the message.

For more information, visit our protecting against scams and identity theft page.

If you’ve received a suspicious or unexpected message claiming to be from the Australian Passport Office, you can report it to ScamWatch. You can also call us to report it.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is aware of a cyber incident impacting Northern Minerals Limited. 

Northern Minerals Limited's investigation into the cyber incident has found the personal details of some of its current and former employees were compromised, including copies of Australian and foreign passports.    

Northern Minerals Limited is contacting impacted individuals directly and continues to investigate the matter to determine the full extent of the cyber‑attack.    

Affected Australian passports are still safe to use for international travel. Your passport number cannot be used to obtain a new passport. Robust controls are used to protect passports from identity takeover, including sophisticated facial-recognition technology.  

See our page on protecting against scams and identity theft for more advice on how to safeguard your personal information.  

You can also seek help from IDCARE, a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in providing advice and support to Australians on how to respond to identity theft.     

More advice on what you can do to protect yourself and your family from cyber security incidents is available on the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s (ACSC) webpage at: www.cyber.gov.au.  

If you’re a foreign passport holder whose personal details have been compromised, you should contact the government that issued your passport for further advice about what to do.  Please refer to DFAT’s list of foreign government representatives based in Australia.  

It happens very rarely, but sometimes passports go missing in the mail.

If your passport goes missing in the mail, you must do one of the following:

• call us on 131 232 
• contact your nearest Australian diplomatic or consular mission if you’re overseas.

To be eligible for a free replacement passport, you must contact us within 60 days from when we mailed you the passport.