Accessing Australian Passport Travel Evidence: A Step-By-Step Guide

The Australian Passport Office (APO) issues Australian passports to Australian citizens as evidence of identity and citizenship when travelling internationally. The APO is part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), which also issues travel-related documents to Australian citizens in certain situations and to eligible non-Australian citizens living in Australia. To apply for a passport, individuals must submit an application form and lodge it in person at Australia Post outlets or their nearest overseas Australian diplomatic mission or consulate. The APO also maintains a 24-hour consular emergency helpline for Australians who need assistance while abroad.

How to get a Convention Travel Document (CTD)

A Convention Travel Document (CTD) is a type of travel document issued to non-citizens in Australia who are unable to obtain a passport or travel document from their country of nationality. It is also known as a Titre de Voyage or 1951 Convention Travel Document.

To be eligible for a CTD, you must meet the following criteria:

• You are in Australia.
• You are not an Australian citizen.
• The Department of Home Affairs has recognised you as a refugee under the 1951 Refugee Convention.

The CTD is not evidence of any right to enter or remain in Australia. It simply facilitates overseas travel for people who would otherwise be unable to obtain a travel document. To use a CTD, you must still meet the visa and travel document requirements of the countries you intend to visit.

To apply for a CTD, follow these steps:

• Call 131 232 and select option 0 to be connected with an operator to request an application form.
• Once you have completed the form and gathered the required documents, call 131 232 again to make an appointment to lodge your application at a capital city passport office.
• Attend your appointment and bring the following documents:

• Identity documents.
• Any previously issued CTDs or Certificates of Identity (COIs).
• A record of your current visa status, such as a Document for Travel to Australia (DFTTA), Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) printout, or a Department of Home Affairs visa grant letter.

Pay the relevant document fees at your appointment using EFTPOS, MasterCard, or Visa. Cash payments are not accepted.

It is important to note that CTDs are typically valid for one or two years, and they do not confer Australian citizenship or consular protection. If you are outside of Australia, it is difficult to replace or obtain a CTD if you have never held one before.

How to get a Certificate of Identity (COI)

The Australian Certificate of Identity (COI) is a biometric travel document issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to individuals who are not Australian citizens and are about to leave Australia or one of its territories. It is important to note that this certificate does not confer Australian citizenship or consular protection, and it is not evidence of any right to re-enter or remain in Australia.

To be eligible for a COI, you must meet the following criteria:

• Not be an Australian citizen
• Be about to leave Australia
• Be either stateless or unable to obtain a valid travel document from your country of nationality

If you meet these criteria, you can apply for a COI by calling 131 232 and requesting an application form. Once you have filled out the form and gathered the required documents, you will need to call again to make an appointment to lodge your application at a capital city passport office. The required documents include:

• Identity documents
• Any previous COI or Convention Travel Document (CTD) issued to you
• A record of your current visa status, which can include a Document for Travel to Australia (DFTTA), a Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) printout, or a Department of Home Affairs visa grant letter
• If you are not a refugee, you will also need to show evidence of overseas travel plans, such as a draft itinerary or travel booking quote
• If you are claiming to be stateless, your claim will need to be confirmed by the Department of Home Affairs
• If you are applying for a child, you will need to meet the requirements for parental consent

At your appointment, you will need to pay the relevant document fees using EFTPOS, MasterCard, or Visa, as cash payments are not accepted. You will also need to sign a letter confirming that you understand the terms of the document and that it is your responsibility to inform the necessary departments about your new travel document.

What to do if your passport is lost or stolen

If your passport is lost or stolen, it is important to take immediate action to protect your identity and personal information. Here is a step-by-step guide on what to do in such a situation:

• Report the Loss or Theft: Contact the Australian Passport Office by calling their toll-free number, 131 232, as soon as possible. Alternatively, if you are overseas, reach out to your nearest Australian diplomatic or consular mission. Reporting the incident promptly is crucial, as the Australian Passports Act 2005 imposes penalties for failing to do so. By making a report, your passport will be immediately cancelled, preventing its misuse by unauthorised individuals.
• Inform Local Law Enforcement: In addition to notifying the Australian Passport Office, it is recommended that you file a report with the local police. If you are in Australia, report the theft to the Australian police, and if you are overseas, inform both the local police in the country you are visiting and the Australian police upon your return. Having a police report can be useful when applying for a replacement passport, as it provides supporting documentation for your claim.
• Apply for a Replacement Passport: To obtain a new passport, you will need to apply for a replacement. This process involves providing full details of the loss or theft, and you will be required to pay the standard passport fee. Unfortunately, you won't be eligible for a simple renewal, and a new application is necessary. If you are abroad and urgently need a new passport, get in touch with the nearest Australian diplomatic or consular mission to discuss your options for expedited replacement.
• Monitor Your Personal Information: In the event of passport loss or theft, there is a risk of identity theft and fraud. Keep a close eye on your personal information and financial activities. If you have concerns about potential identity theft, you can seek advice and support from IDCARE, a specialised Australian service that can be reached toll-free at 1800 595 160.

Remember, once you report your passport as lost or stolen, it will be immediately cancelled, and you will not be able to use it even if you recover it later. Always take precautions to secure your passport and personal belongings when travelling to minimise the risk of loss or theft.

How to get a replacement passport

If your passport is damaged, you can apply for a replacement. This is different from a renewal, which is only for passports that have expired. The replacement process is also different from the procedure for obtaining a new passport, which is what you need if your passport has been lost or stolen.

To apply for a replacement passport, you will need to prove your identity and citizenship. The steps in the application process are as follows:

• Gather original documents: You will need documents that prove your Australian citizenship and your identity. These include an Australian birth certificate or citizenship certificate, documents that prove any change of name or change of gender, and other identity documents that show your photo and your current residential address.
• Ask someone to be your referee or guarantor: If you're applying for your passport online, you'll need to nominate a referee who's willing to confirm your identity if they're contacted. Otherwise, you'll need a guarantor to sign your application form and endorse and sign the back of one passport photo. This person must be an adult Australian citizen who has known you for at least 12 months and is not related to you or living at the same address.
• Complete your application: Go to online.passports.gov.au to start the application process.
• Print your application: You will need to print out your completed application form.
• Lodge your application and pay the fee: If you're in Australia, you'll need to lodge your application in person at an Australia Post outlet. The standard processing time is at least six weeks, but you can pay an additional fee for priority processing. If you're overseas, you can lodge your application in person at an Australian diplomatic or consular mission or, in some cases, send it by mail.

Keeping Your Passport Safe

It's important to keep your passport secure at all times, as it is a valuable document that can be targeted by identity thieves. When at home, store it in a safe place. While travelling, keep it in a hotel safe if possible, or on your person in a money belt rather than in a bag.

How to get a passport for a child

To get a passport for a child in Australia, you must follow a specific process. Here is a detailed guide on how to obtain a passport for a child:

Step 1: Gather Documents and Photos

Firstly, you will need to collect all the necessary documents and photos. This includes the child's full birth certificate, evidence of Australian citizenship (such as an Australian birth certificate or citizenship certificate), and any other relevant documents such as name change approvals or court orders. You will also need two passport-sized photos that comply with the official photo guidelines.

Step 2: Find a Guarantor

The next step is to find a guarantor for the child's passport application. The guarantor must be an adult Australian citizen who has known the child for at least a year or since birth if the child is under one year old. It is important to note that the guarantor cannot be related to the child or anyone with parental responsibility for the child. The guarantor will need to sign section 11 of the application form and endorse one of the passport photos.

Step 3: Complete the Application Form

You can obtain the 'Application for an Australian Passport - Child' form either online or from a participating Australia Post outlet. The form will be purple for children. This form must be completed and signed by all individuals with parental responsibility. Children aged 10 and over must also sign the form. If the child is 16 or 17 years old, they must be present when lodging the application.

Step 4: Lodge the Application and Pay the Fee

Finally, you can lodge the child's application and pay the passport fee at a participating Australia Post outlet or an Australian diplomatic office overseas. You may need to make an appointment in advance. Remember to bring the completed application form, the child's passport photos, original documents, and proof of your identity.

Please note that the processing time for a child passport application can vary, especially if consent is not obtained from all individuals with parental responsibility. It is recommended to allow at least six weeks to receive the child's passport.

Frequently asked questions