Client Service Charter

  • Our Client Service Charter sets out the standard of service you can expect from the Australian Passport Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and its agents, Australia Post and our call centre.
  • The charter explains how you can get more information if you need it and what you can do if our service does not meet the standards outlined here. We regularly review the charter to ensure it remains focused on client needs.
  • We also regularly check and report on how well we and our agents are implementing the charter and we welcome feedback from clients on our service.

Our aim

The Australian Passport Office is committed to providing a secure, efficient and responsive passport service for Australia.

Our role

The Australian Passport Office issues passports to Australian citizens in Australia and overseas in accordance with the Australian Passports Act 2005, related laws and the Convention on International Civil Aviation. We also issue other types of travel documents, for example, Convention Travel Documents, to eligible non-citizens living in Australia.

Our working arrangements

Online services are available from this website. 

Australia Post provides a nationwide shopfront on our behalf. Australia Post:

  • receives Australian passport applications, including passport renewals
  • receives Australian travel document applications
  • collects passport fees
  • distributes application forms for Australian travel documents
  • delivers Australian travel documents.

At some Australia Post outlets you must make an appointment to lodge a passport application. This will usually be arranged within three working days of your call. To find an Australia Post outlet near you that will accept a passport application, call Australia Post on 131 318 or visit auspost.com.au

The Australian Passport Office has offices in all Australian state and territory capitals where you may lodge your application if you need to travel urgently because of unforeseen, compassionate reasons or other exceptional circumstances, or if you require a travel document other than an Australian passport. You need to make an appointment by calling us on 131 232.

Overseas, Australian diplomatic missions and consulates provide passport services.

The role of our call centre

We provide a telephone helpline for our clients. For the cost of a local call (calls from mobile and pay phones may be charged at different rates), you can seek advice and assistance with passport matters including applications. Your call will be answered by trained, experienced staff who will provide accurate information politely, clearly and quickly.

You can contact us on 131 232 during our hours of operation.

If you do not speak English well, we can arrange an interpreter through the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) at no cost to you. To contact us with the assistance of a phone interpreter, call TIS on 131 450.

If you are overseas

If you are overseas and need information about passports, contact an Australian diplomatic mission or consulate.

What you can expect from us

In delivering a secure, efficient and responsive passport service, we aim to serve our clients in a professional and businesslike way. We are committed to the following service standards:

  • providing clear and accurate information
  • serving you promptly and being helpful and polite at all times
  • displaying information about passport fees in all passport offices and agencies
  • ensuring there are appropriate passport services for Australians living in rural, remote and regional areas and overseas
  • providing appropriate services for people with disabilities
  • applying rules and policies consistently
  • protecting information you give to us in accordance with the Australian Passports Act 2005 and privacy laws
  • issuing your passport within two business days for Priority (2-day processing) or within five business days for Fast Track (5-day processing) of receiving everything we need from you if you have requested a faster processing service, or else refunding the faster processing fee
  • protecting your identity from misuse by others through rigorous identity proofing processes and a technically sophisticated passport booklet
  • informing you of your right to a review of an adverse decision.

What we ask of you

To help us meet our commitment to you, we ask that you:

  • apply for your passport well before your proposed travel
  • complete your passport application accurately and, when you lodge it, bring original documents that prove your identity and citizenship (Note: there are penalties under the Australian Passports Act 2005 for making false or misleading statements)
  • provide photos that meet our standards
  • be courteous and respectful to passport staff and our agents.

Inquiries

Inquiries can be directed to our call centre on 131 232, or in writing to the address shown below. If you write to the department, we will reply within 14 days of receiving your inquiry. If we cannot answer your question quickly, we will keep you informed of our progress in finding the answer.

We value your comments about our service

We work hard to improve our service and we welcome your input about how we can make it even better.

Please submit compliments, complaints or comments to us online.

You may also provide feedback about our service by writing to:

Australian Passport Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
R.G. Casey Building
John McEwen Crescent
BARTON ACT 0221

If you are dissatisfied with the response you receive from DFAT, you can contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s Office in Australia. Contact details are: