Summary:
Only Australian citizens can hold an Australian passport — you must be a citizen by birth, by descent (approved application) or by conferral (naturalisation) before you can apply; permanent residents cannot hold an Australian passport
Adult passports cost AUD $422 and are valid for 10 years; child passports cost AUD $213 and are valid for 5 years — fees effective from 1 January 2026; paid at your Australia Post outlet at lodgement by cash, EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard or AMEX
Apply at any participating Australia Post outlet — complete the form online at passports.gov.au, bring original documents and passport photos, and a guarantor for first-time applicants; standard processing takes approximately 6 weeks
Getting an Australian passport is one of the most important steps after becoming an Australian citizen. It unlocks travel, confirms your identity for employment and financial transactions, and lets you sponsor family members to visit Australia.
This guide covers the full process — from first-time applications and renewals to the special considerations for migrants who have recently become citizens.
Who can get an Australian passport?
Only Australian citizens can apply for an Australian passport. You are an Australian citizen if:
- Born in Australia to at least one parent who was an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the time of your birth
- Citizenship by descent — born overseas to an Australian citizen parent; you must have applied for and been approved for citizenship by descent before applying for a passport
- Citizenship by conferral (naturalisation) — you have attended a citizenship ceremony and received your citizenship certificate
Permanent residents cannot hold an Australian passport. If you hold Australian permanent residence but have not yet been granted citizenship, you cannot apply.
Types of Australian passport
| Passport | Validity | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Adult passport | 10 years | Australian citizens aged 16 and over |
| Child passport | 5 years | Australian citizens under 16 |
| Senior option | 5 years | Citizens aged 75+ who prefer a 5-year passport |
| Emergency passport | Up to 1 year | For urgent travel when normal processing is too slow |
Fees (from 1 January 2026)
| Passport type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adult — 10 years | AUD $422 |
| Child — 5 years | AUD $213 |
| Senior — 5 years | AUD $213 |
| Priority processing (2 business days) | AUD $225 additional |
Fees are non-refundable once the application is assessed. Paid at Australia Post by cash, EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard or AMEX.
Step 1: Confirm your citizenship
Before applying, confirm you are a citizen:
- Born in Australia to citizen/PR parent: Your full birth certificate confirms your citizenship. No separate citizenship document is needed.
- Citizen by conferral: Your Australian citizenship certificate is your proof.
- Citizen by descent: You must have a Department of Home Affairs approval letter confirming citizenship by descent. This is not automatic — you must have applied and been approved through ImmiAccount first.
If you are not sure of your citizenship status, check at homeaffairs.gov.au before applying for a passport.
Step 2: Find a guarantor (first-time applicants)
For a first Australian passport, you need a guarantor — someone who can verify your identity.
Guarantor requirements:
- Must be an Australian citizen aged 18 or over
- Must have known you for at least 12 months
- Must hold a current Australian passport
- Must not be a relative or live at the same address as you
- Must be willing to sign your application form and certify one of your passport photos
Who to ask: Your GP, employer, accountant, teacher, lawyer, colleague or long-term friend. For new migrants who recently became citizens, your employer or manager is often the most practical option.
If you cannot find a guarantor: Two referees (not relatives, not housemates, must have known you for 12 months) can sometimes substitute — check the current requirements at passports.gov.au.
Step 3: Get your passport photos
You need two identical passport photos that meet the Australian Passport Office specifications:
- Size: 35mm wide x 45mm high
- Background: Plain light (white or off-white)
- Expression: Neutral, eyes open and clearly visible
- Recency: Taken within the last 6 months
- No glasses (from 2018, glasses are not permitted in Australian passport photos)
Where to get photos: Any participating Australia Post outlet offers passport photo services — no appointment needed. Pharmacies (Chemist Warehouse, Priceline) and many shopping centre photo studios also offer this service for approximately AUD $15-$20.
Your guarantor must sign the back of one photo confirming it is a true likeness of you.
Step 4: Gather your documents
Proof of citizenship — original documents only (no copies):
- Full Australian birth certificate (not the extract or commemorative version)
- OR Australian citizenship certificate (by conferral or by descent)
- If born overseas: also bring your foreign passport or birth certificate
Proof of identity:
- Primary document: Australian driver’s licence, Medicare card, or another government-issued photo ID
- Additional documents may be required — the system is points-based; the passport office website has a document checker
Name changes:
- If your current name differs from your citizenship documents (e.g. after marriage), bring your marriage certificate
- Documents not in English must be translated by a NAATI-accredited translator
Step 5: Complete the application form
Online (recommended): Go to passports.gov.au, complete the application form online, then print the completed form and bring it to Australia Post.
Paper form: Pick up a blank form at any Australia Post outlet. Adult application forms are green. Child application forms are blue.
Do not sign the form until you are at the Australia Post counter — staff must witness your signature.
Step 6: Lodge at Australia Post
Take your completed form, original documents, passport photos and guarantor information to any participating Australia Post outlet that accepts passport applications.
Booking an appointment: Some outlets require appointments; others accept walk-ins. Check at auspost.com.au/passports or call your local post office before going.
What happens at the counter:
- Staff verify your documents and witness your signature
- You pay the fee
- Original documents are returned to you (except the birth certificate — check the current policy; some outlets retain it temporarily)
- You receive a receipt with a lodgement reference number
Keep your receipt — you will need the reference number to track your application.
Step 7: Wait for your passport
Standard processing takes approximately 6 weeks from lodgement. The Australian Passport Office targets 95% of passports available within 6 weeks.
Priority processing: If you need your passport within 2 business days, you can pay an additional AUD $225 priority processing fee at lodgement. Contact the Australian Passport Office on 131 232 to confirm eligibility — not all situations qualify.
Emergency passport: If you have urgent travel due to a family emergency or unexpected circumstances, contact the Australian Passport Office directly on 131 232. Emergency passports are valid for up to 1 year and are issued on a case-by-case basis.
Delivery: Passport is delivered to your nominated address by registered mail.
Renewing an Australian passport
Renewing is simpler than a first application — no guarantor is required if you are renewing within 3 years of expiry on a previous passport.
How to renew:
- Complete the renewal form online at passports.gov.au
- Get new passport photos
- Lodge at Australia Post with your old passport and the completed form
- Pay the fee
Your old passport is returned to you with holes punched through it (cancelled) once the new one is issued.
Specific guidance for migrants by corridor
Indian-Australian community
If you have recently become an Australian citizen and held an Indian passport, note that India does not permit dual nationality. Once you obtain an Australian passport, you must:
- Surrender your Indian passport to the Indian High Commission or Consulate
- Obtain an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card — this allows you to visit India visa-free and is a lifelong document
- OCI applications are available through the Indian High Commission in Canberra and Indian Consulates in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth
e-OCI system (from 1 May 2026): India has launched a new digital e-OCI system replacing the old paper booklet. Applications are processed digitally with biometric consent and faster turnaround.
Important: From 1 April 2026, OCI applications are no longer accepted via post or courier — in-person lodgement is required at an Indian Consulate or VFS Global centre.
OCI fees (Australia): Approximately AUD $150-220 all-in, including government fee, VFS service charges, ICWF levy and courier charges. Confirm the exact current fee at cgisydney.gov.in or hcicanberra.gov.in before applying as fees are subject to change.
Filipino-Australian community
The Philippines allows dual citizenship for natural-born Filipinos who have become citizens of another country. Filipinos who have naturalised as Australian citizens can apply to retain or reacquire Philippine citizenship through the Philippine Consulate General.
Steps to retain dual citizenship:
- Apply at the Philippine Consulate General (Sydney, Melbourne or Perth) for Re-acquisition of Philippine Citizenship under Republic Act 9225
- Take the Oath of Allegiance
- Receive an Order of Approval and Identification Certificate
- Apply for or renew your Philippine passport as a dual citizen
Once you hold both an Australian and Philippine passport, use your Australian passport when entering and leaving Australia, and your Philippine passport when entering the Philippines.
British migrants who become Australian citizens
The United Kingdom permits dual nationality — British migrants who become Australian citizens can hold both passports simultaneously. No surrender or relinquishment is required.
Using both passports: Use your Australian passport to enter and leave Australia. Use your British passport to enter and leave the UK. Both remain valid and can be renewed independently.
New Zealand citizens living in Australia
New Zealand citizens living in Australia on a Special Category Visa (SCV) are not Australian permanent residents in the traditional sense and are not automatically entitled to Australian citizenship. To apply for Australian citizenship, NZ citizens must hold a permanent visa (the 189 or similar) before applying through the standard conferral pathway.
Once you become an Australian citizen, New Zealand also permits dual citizenship — you can hold both passports simultaneously.
Nepali-Australian community
Nepal does not recognise dual citizenship. If you become an Australian citizen and hold a Nepalese passport, you are technically required to renounce your Nepali citizenship. In practice, many Nepali-Australians continue to hold both documents — but the legal position in Nepal is that naturalisation in another country ends Nepali citizenship.
If you travel to Nepal on a Nepali passport after becoming an Australian citizen, Nepal may still recognise you as a Nepali citizen under Nepalese law. Seek legal advice from a Nepal-qualified lawyer if this affects your situation.
Key contacts
| Resource | Contact |
|---|---|
| Australian Passport Office | 131 232 (within Australia) |
| Passport application portal | passports.gov.au |
| Book Australia Post appointment | auspost.com.au/passports |
| Department of Home Affairs (citizenship) | homeaffairs.gov.au |
| Indian Consular Services (OCI) | blsinternational.com |
| Philippine Consulate Sydney | sydneypcg.org |
FAQ’s (frequently asked questions)
How much does an Australian passport cost in 2026?
AUD $422 for an adult 10-year passport; AUD $213 for a child 5-year passport, from 1 January 2026. Priority processing costs an additional AUD $225.
How long does it take to get an Australian passport?
Approximately 6 weeks for standard processing. Priority processing delivers in 2 business days for an additional fee. Emergency passports are available for urgent situations — call 131 232.
Do I need a guarantor for an Australian passport?
Yes, for first-time applications. Your guarantor must be an Australian citizen aged 18+, hold a current Australian passport, have known you for at least 12 months, and not be a relative or housemate.
Can permanent residents apply for an Australian passport?
No. Only Australian citizens can hold an Australian passport.
Can I hold both an Australian passport and my original country’s passport?
It depends on your original country’s laws. Australia permits dual citizenship. India and Nepal do not recognise dual citizenship. The Philippines allows re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship for naturalised Australians. The UK, Ireland and most European countries permit dual citizenship.
Where do I apply for an Australian passport?
At any participating Australia Post outlet. Book an appointment at auspost.com.au/passports or call your local post office. The Australian Passport Office in the CBD of each capital city can also accept applications directly.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Passport fees and requirements are subject to change — always verify at passports.gov.au before applying. Last updated August 2026.
Sources: Australian Passport Office — passports.gov.au | Australia Post — auspost.com.au/passports | TIA Lawyers — Australian Passport Fees January 2026 | Smartraveller — Passport services (smartraveller.gov.au, 2 weeks ago) | passaustraliancitizenship.com.au — Australian citizenship fees (June 2026)
