You should allow a minimum of 6 weeks to receive a passport, no matter where you apply.
A child passport can take longer, particularly in cases without full parental consent.
If you need a passport in less than 6 weeks, for an additional fee you may be eligible for one of our faster processing services.
If you need help choosing the right service, you can use our passport processing timeframes estimator.
Latest processing timeframes as at 15 December 2024
| Passports processed within 10 business days under the routine service |
|---|
| Over 90% |
*Processing time begins when your complete application is received by the Australian Passport Office. These timeframes exclude postage time.
It usually takes up to 5 business days for your application to be received by the Australian Passport Office.
Most Australian passports are printed in our bulk print centres. For applications lodged in Australia under our routine processing service, the state or territory in which you lodge doesn’t impact its processing time.
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 the progress of my passport?
Passport application status
Once you've lodged your passport application, you can use our status tracker to check its progress. 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.
Passport delivery status
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. It can 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.
We’ll send you an email when the passport is ready for collection.
If you can't 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.