You should allow a minimum of 6 weeks to receive a passport, no matter where you apply.
If you’re planning travel in the next six months, it’s best to apply for a passport now.
A child passport without full parental consent takes much longer.
To minimise processing time, make sure your application includes everything we need.
Please check our advice on the latest passport processing timeframes for further information.
Need a passport in less than 6 weeks?
Don’t worry – we have options for urgent applications.
How will I get my passport?
In Australia, we post passports by registered mail (not Express Post).
We'll send you an email when we despatch your passport. Your passport should arrive within a week after that.
If you’re an adult applying online, you can nominate a delivery address that's different to your residential address, including a PO Box, but not a parcel locker.
Mailing arrangements overseas vary by location. Check with the Australian diplomatic or consular mission responsible for your application.
How can I track delivery of my passport?
When we despatch your passport for delivery in Australia, we'll send you an email and an SMS with a registered post tracking number. Enter the number on the Australia Post website. Note that it may take 24-48 hours before Australia Post displays your item on its site.
What if my passport goes missing in the mail?
It’s very rare for passports to go missing in the mail.
If your passport goes missing in the mail, you must call us on 131 232 or contact an Australian diplomatic or consular mission within 60 days from when we mailed you the passport.
I want to collect a passport
In Australia, you can choose to collect a passport from a passport office rather than get it despatched by mail.
We’ll send you an email when the passport is ready for collection.
If you are unable to collect the passport yourself, you can:
- ask any person over the age of 16 who resides at the same address as you to collect it on your behalf. They will need to present their photo identification showing their address.
- authorise any other person in writing to collect a passport on your behalf. They will need to present written permission signed by you and their photo identification. This permission should include your name and signature, passport holder’s name (if collecting child’s document) and the name of the person collecting the passport on your behalf.
How you collect your passport if you’re overseas depends on where you are. Check with the Australian diplomatic or consular mission responsible for your application.