While Aussies might seem like they live at “the end of the world,” Australians are known to have a great passion for travel. In fact around 57% of Australians have passports, compared to about 48% of Americans, for example.
When you’re planning a big international trip with a long flight ahead of you, there are few things more frustrating than realising you need to renew your passport before you go. Fortunately, Australian passport renewal is simple – if you know what you’re doing.
Remitly’s step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know, including when to renew, how to renew, what it’ll cost, and how long you can expect to wait for your new travel document.
Is it time to renew your Australian passport?
Aussies aren’t obliged to have a valid passport while you’re in Australia; you only need it when you’re travelling. So, if your passport expires and you have no travel plans, you don’t need to renew right away.
That said, if your passport expired more than three years ago, you need to apply for a new one, which is a more complicated process than the standard Australian passport renewal process. So, even if you don’t have travel plans, it’s a good idea to renew within three years.
Why else might you need a new passport?
While applying for a new passport costs the same and has the same processing time as a standard passport renewal, you do need to submit additional paperwork. Assuming you’ve held an Australian passport in the past, you’ll also need to go down the route of applying for a new passport if:
- Your last passport was issued when you were 16 years old or younger.
- Your passport was issued before January 1, 2006.
- Your passport was issued with only two years’ validity.
- Your name, gender, or other important information has changed.
- Your passport has been lost or stolen.
- You’re renewing a passport for a child.
If you have travel plans, you may also need to renew your passport before it expires. Many countries require you to have at least six months’ validity remaining on your passport after the end of your planned trip. So, if you’re less than a year away from expiry and have travel plans, you might need to renew.
What do I need to renew my Aussie passport?
The biggest challenge with organising your Aussie passport renewal is getting together your required documents. Fortunately, if you’re renewing an existing passport, the supporting documentation is minimal. You will need:
- Your most recent passport.
- Your completed passport application form (more on this later).
- A Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card for payment.
- Two passport-compliant photos that are less than six months old (more on this below, too).
Applying for a new Australian passport
Even if you’ve held an Australian passport in the past, if you need to follow the route for a new passport you’ll need quite a bit of extra documentation:
- Documents proving you’re an Australian citizen, such as your full and original Australian birth certificate or your Australian Citizenship Certificate issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
- A combination of documents showing your photo, signature, and home address, such as your driver’s licence, foreign passport (translated into English) if you were born outside of Australia, Medicare card, or recent bank statements. You can see the full guidelines here.
- Documents proving any change in name or gender, such as a marriage certificate or a name change certificate issued by the Australian Registry or Births, Deaths, and Marriages. There’s more guidance on this here.
- A referee for online applications, or a guarantor for paper applications—someone willing to confirm your identity. To be eligible, they must have an Australian passport with at least two years’ validity and have been listed on the electoral roll at their current address for at least 12 months. They can’t be related to you; and can’t live at the same address as you
- Two passport-compliant photos.
A child’s passport
If you’re applying for a passport for a child under 18, you need to follow the new passport route. In addition to the documentation listed above, you’ll also need to provide:
- Your child’s full birth certificate with the names of both of their parents.
- Any court orders relating to your child.
- Forms establishing who has parental responsibility for the child, and allowing the child to have a passport for travel.
Always make sure you have your complete documentation in hand before you get started, as finding the right documents can often be the biggest challenge in the process. Also, bear in mind that any documents that aren’t in English must be submitted with an authorised translation from an accredited translation agency.
How to renew your passport: five simple steps
Step 1: Get your passport photos
The first thing to do is get two copies of passport-compliant photos. These can usually be obtained from:
- Post offices,
- Professional photographers,
- Some large chain stores like Officeworks,
- Many camera stores,
- Some pharmacies and chemists.
The guidelines for passport photos are strict:
- Passport photos must be 35-40 mm wide and 45-50 mm tall.
- The height between your chin and crown must be 32-36 mm.
- The image must be clear and in focus, with no marks or red eyes.
- The photo must be taken on a plain white or light background, with your face centred and looking straight at the camera.
- Your face should have a neutral expression and no hair should be obscuring the edges of your face.
- There are limits regarding glasses, jewellery, and head coverings.
- The photos can have no retouching, shadows, or reflections.
- They must be printed on heavyweight, glossy paper, a minimum of 200 gsm.
Non-compliant passport photos are the most common reason for passport renewal applications to be denied in Australia. If your photos aren’t quite right, the Australian Passport Office (APO) will most likely email you while processing your application and request that you send alternative photos.
Step 2: Complete the online application
You are then strongly encouraged to make your application via the Australian government’s online portal, though you can request a pre-filled form to be posted to you if needed. You can no longer get these from the post office.
To use the online application portal you’ll need to register an email. You have 14 days to complete your online application once it’s started. After that, unsubmitted applications are deleted from the system, and you’ll have to start again.
You’ll be asked to complete a simple form that includes details such as your name and current passport number. Submit this online to get a case number that can be used to track your application.
Step 3: Print and sign your form
You must then print the document on A4-size paper in portrait orientation, using black ink, and the “fit to page/printable area” settings. There will be an area to sign the document, which should also be done in black ink. You will also be provided with an application checklist that includes a full list of the documents you’ll need to lodge your application.
Step 4: Lodge your application
You then need to take your application form and supporting documentation to the post office to have it sent off securely and pay the fee, which we’ll come to shortly.
If you’re applying from outside Australia, the process is the same, but instead of sending your documents to the APO, send your application to your closest embassy or consulate. You will also need to submit a document with your credit card details for them to process payment when your forms arrive.
Step 5: Track your application and wait
Your passport tracking number should be in the confirmation email you receive when you create your online application, or on your Australia Post or overseas payment receipt. With this number, you can use the APOs online tracker to see the status of your application. You’ll be alerted to any issues here, but you should also receive an email anyway.
How long does it take to renew an Aussie passport?
In 2025, the standard time for renewing an Australian passport, or applying for a new one, is six weeks. However, it can take a bit longer if there are any issues with your passport or if it’s a particularly busy season, so give yourself at least eight weeks just in case.
If you need to get your passport faster, there are expedited services. You can only apply for these services from inside Australia, and if you haven’t lost two or more passports in the last five years.
You can apply for two-day Priority Service for an additional $300 AUD fee, or five-day Fast Track service for an additional $104 AUD. This applies to the processing time and not the delivery time, but you can expedite that as well by arranging to collect your passport personally from the nearest passport office and sending your documents more quickly using the Australia Post Passport Rapid Service.
If you lodge your application between midday on a weekday, the APO will receive it the same day. In most cases, you must request these services as part of your submission, and they can’t be requested after you’ve submitted.
In exceptional circumstances, such as the death or serious illness of a family member, personal carer obligation, or other unforeseen circumstances, you can apply for an urgent turnaround of your passport, even if your application is already in progress. Call and explain your compassionate or compelling need in 131 232.
How much does Australian passport renewal cost?
Fees are the same whether you are applying for a new passport or renewing a passport. Fees depend on the type of passport you’re applying for and any special services requested, such as fast turnaround.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Adult passport with 10-year validity – $412 AUD
- Adult passport with five-year validity (optional for over 75s) – $208 AUD
- Child Passport with five-year validity – $208 AUD
- Replacement or emergency passport for a lost or stolen document – $259 AUD
- Priority two-day processing – $300 AUD
- Fast-track five-day processing – $104 AUD
- Adult surcharge if applying from overseas – $184 AUD
- Child surcharge if applying from overseas – $90 AUD
Travel with confidence
When it comes time to renew your Australian passport, if you’re eligible to renew and don’t have to apply for a new passport, the process is pretty simple. Complete a simple online form and send your old passport and new passport photos off. Within six weeks, you should have the new one in your hands and be good to go travelling. Make sure to double-check the requirements for the Australian passport application process to ensure you have all necessary documents and photos prepared. If you encounter any issues, customer support is available to guide you through the renewal. Once your renewal is approved, you’ll be ready to embark on your next adventure without any hassle.
You can get it faster if needed, with two- and five-day turnaround options. And remember there’s good reason not to go more than three years without renewing your passport if it’s expired, as this triggers a new passport application, which is more complicated.
As you can see from the prices, it’s not cheap unfortunately. In fact, Australian passports are among the most expensive in the world, costing about double what you’d pay in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States, for example.
But we know that won’t get in the way of Aussies’ love of travel – fair dinkum!
FAQs
Can I renew my Australian passport online?
Yes. In fact the Australian Passport Office (APO) recommends that everyone make their initial application online via their portal, though you still need to print your application and send it with your old passport and new photos to the APO via the Post Office. Your new passport will also be returned to you by post.
What if my name has changed since my last passport?
If your name has changed since your last passport, you can’t do the standard passport renewal. You’ll have to follow the process for a new passport. In addition to including documentation for your name change (like a marriage certificate or a name change certificate issued by the Australian RBDM), you will also need to provide ID that includes your photo and signature, proof of your current address, and details of an eligible referee who can confirm your identity.
Do I need a guarantor for a passport renewal?
Not if you’re doing a standard passport renewal. You only need a guarantor if you’re required to apply for a new passport.
Can I travel on my old passport while my new one is being processed?
No, you need to send your old passport off with your renewal application, so you won’t have it available while your application is being processed. Your old passport will be cancelled when your new one is issued. It will be sent back to you with part of it cut off to show that it is no longer valid.