How to Renew an Australian Adult Passport Before It Expires
Find out whether your Australian adult passport is eligible for streamlined renewal, what photos and documents you need, how to lodge the application, 2026 fees, processing times and when you must make a full new passport application instead.
AU Australia
Documents & Identity ~ 10 min read
15 FAQ
Updated 2026-08-26
Helpydo structures practical guidance around official or public sources. For individual cases, confirm requirements with the responsible institution.
You can use the Australian adult passport renewal process if your passport was issued when you were aged 16 or older, was issued on or after 1 January 2006 with at least 2 years validity, shows your current name, date of birth, place of birth and gender, has not been reported lost, stolen or cancelled, and can be presented when you lodge the renewal. Complete the renewal form online or request a pre-filled paper form, obtain 2 compliant passport photos, then lodge the application at a participating Australia Post outlet. You do not need a guarantor or referee for an eligible renewal. In 2026, a standard 10-year adult passport costs AUD $422. Allow at least 6 weeks for routine service. Your current passport will generally be cancelled when you apply, unused validity does not carry over, and your renewed passport will have a new passport number.
What you need
- An Australian passport that meets all streamlined renewal eligibility conditions.
- The passport must have been issued when you were aged 16 or older.
- It must have been issued on or after 1 January 2006.
- It must have been issued with at least 2 years validity.
- It must show your current name, date of birth, place of birth and gender.
- It must not have been reported lost, stolen or cancelled.
- You must be able to present the passport when lodging your renewal application.
- A completed online renewal form or pre-filled paper renewal form.
- Two compliant passport-sized photos. Write your full name in black pen on the back of one photo.
- Any additional supporting documents specifically requested by the Australian Passport Office.
Eligibility
You can renew an Australian adult passport using the streamlined renewal process if the passport has expired or is still valid and meets every Australian Passport Office renewal condition: it was issued when you were aged 16 or older, was issued on or after 1 January 2006, was issued with at least 2 years validity, shows your current name, date of birth, place of birth and gender, has not been reported lost, stolen or cancelled, and can be presented when you lodge the application.
If any of these conditions is not met, you need to use the full new adult passport application process instead of streamlined renewal. A passport issued to you as a child that later expires cannot automatically be renewed simply because you are now an adult.
How to do it
- Check that your existing passport meets every adult passport renewal eligibility condition.
- If it is eligible, start the renewal through the Australian Passport Office online application portal. If you cannot use the online service, call the Australian Passport Office on 131 232 to request a pre-filled paper renewal form.
- Complete the renewal form. If completing it online, download and print the completed form on A4 paper in portrait orientation using black ink and the appropriate fit-to-page or printable-area setting.
- Obtain 2 passport-sized photos that meet the Australian Passport Office photo standards.
- Write your full name in black pen on the back of one passport photo. You do not need a guarantor or referee for an eligible adult passport renewal.
- Gather your passport being renewed, the completed application form, passport photos and any supporting documents requested by the Australian Passport Office.
- Lodge the application in person at a participating Australia Post outlet and pay the applicable passport application fee.
- If you need the passport sooner and are eligible, request Priority or Fast Track processing when lodging and pay the additional processing fee.
- Use your application number to track the application after lodgement.
- When you receive the renewed passport, update travel bookings, visa applications and other records with the new passport number because the number changes when a new passport is issued.
Who can renew an Australian adult passport?
The Australian Passport Office offers a streamlined renewal process for eligible adult passport holders. Your passport can be either expired or still valid, but it must meet every renewal condition.
To qualify, your passport must have been issued when you were aged 16 or older, issued on or after 1 January 2006 and issued with at least 2 years validity. It must show your current name, date of birth, place of birth and gender, must not have been reported lost, stolen or cancelled, and you must be able to present it when lodging your application.
When do you need a full new adult passport application instead?
If your existing passport fails any renewal condition, you cannot use streamlined renewal and need to make a full adult passport application.
This includes situations where the passport was issued before 1 January 2006, was issued when you were younger than 16, was issued with less than 2 years validity, does not show your current personal details, has been reported lost, stolen or cancelled, or cannot be presented when you lodge the application.
What if your old passport was issued when you were a child?
A child passport remains valid until it expires or is cancelled, even after the holder turns 18. However, once a child passport expires, the Australian Passport Office states that the holder must lodge a new adult passport application with supporting documents and the required fee. It cannot be processed as an adult passport renewal unless it independently meets the adult renewal eligibility rules.
What if your name or gender has changed?
The streamlined renewal process requires the passport being renewed to show your current name, date of birth, place of birth and gender. If those details have changed, you may need a new or replacement passport process and supporting evidence rather than ordinary renewal.
How to renew an Australian passport online
If your passport is eligible for renewal, the easiest way to prepare the application is through the Australian Passport Office application portal.
Complete the online renewal form, then download and print it. The Australian Passport Office instructs applicants to print on A4 paper in portrait orientation using black ink and the fit-to-page or printable-area setting.
Starting the application online does not make the entire renewal process digital. You still need to lodge the printed application in person with your passport photos, existing passport and any supporting documents requested.
What if you cannot use the online application?
If online application is not an option, call the Australian Passport Office on 131 232 and ask for a pre-filled paper renewal form to be sent to you. Adult passport renewal forms are not available for collection from Australia Post outlets.
What documents do you need to renew an Australian adult passport?
For an eligible streamlined renewal, you need your completed renewal form, 2 compliant passport photos, the passport you are renewing and any supporting documents specifically requested by the Australian Passport Office.
Unlike a full new adult passport application, you do not need a referee or guarantor for an eligible passport renewal.
Passport photo requirements for renewal
You need 2 passport-sized photos that meet Australian Passport Office standards. The official photo guidance specifies a photo width of 35 mm to 40 mm and a height of 45 mm to 50 mm, with the image meeting the detailed facial position, lighting and background requirements.
For a renewal application, write your full name in black pen on the back of one photo.
Where do you lodge an Australian passport renewal?
Whether you prepare the renewal application online or use a pre-filled paper form, you need to lodge it at a participating Australia Post outlet when applying in Australia.
Bring your completed application form, the passport you are renewing, your passport photos and any additional supporting documents requested by the Australian Passport Office. You pay the passport application fee when you lodge the application.
How much does Australian passport renewal cost in 2026?
From 1 January 2026, a standard adult passport with 10-year validity costs AUD $422 for people aged 16 or over. Passport renewal costs the applicable passport application fee rather than a separate discounted renewal fee.
People aged 75 or over have the option of applying for a 5-year adult passport for AUD $213.
If you qualify for faster processing, Priority service costs an additional AUD $308 and Fast Track service costs an additional AUD $107.
How long does Australian passport renewal take?
The Australian Passport Office says to allow at least 6 weeks from lodging your application to receive your renewed passport.
Its 2026 processing information describes routine service as up to 6 weeks. This includes time for the lodged application to reach the Passport Office, processing and delivery.
Once your application is lodged, you can use your application number and the Australian Passport Office status tracker to follow its progress.
Can you get a renewed Australian passport faster?
Eligible applicants in Australia can pay for Priority or Fast Track processing.
Priority passport processing
Priority service costs an additional AUD $308 in 2026. The Australian Passport Office processes a complete application within 2 business days after receiving it and all required supporting documents.
Fast Track passport processing
Fast Track service costs an additional AUD $107 in 2026. The Passport Office processes a complete application within 5 business days after receiving it and all required supporting documents.
Priority and Fast Track processing periods do not include postage or delivery time. Faster processing is available only to eligible applicants in Australia. It is not available for passport applications lodged from overseas and certain complex applications are also excluded.
What happens to your current passport when you renew it?
If you are in Australia and your current passport is still valid, it will generally be cancelled when you apply to renew it. Once cancelled, it cannot be used for travel or identification.
The Australian Passport Office advises against travelling overseas while waiting for the new passport because you could be left overseas with a cancelled passport. If you need to travel before receiving the new passport, contact the Australian Passport Office before relying on your existing document.
Does unused passport validity carry over?
No. Remaining validity on your existing passport does not transfer to the renewed passport. The new passport is valid from its date of issue.
This means that renewing several months before expiry does not add the unused months from your old passport to the validity of the new one.
Will your passport number change after renewal?
Yes. The Australian Passport Office states that your passport number changes when your new passport is issued.
After receiving the renewed passport, update future travel bookings, visa applications and any other records that contain your old passport number. The Passport Office specifically recommends ensuring travel bookings and visa applications use the details from the new passport.
How early should you renew before travelling?
The Australian Passport Office recommends considering renewal before travel when your existing passport may not have enough validity for your destination. Entry requirements vary by country, and some destinations or airlines require additional passport validity beyond the intended travel dates.
Because routine passport processing can take up to 6 weeks and your existing passport will generally be cancelled during renewal, plan the application around your travel dates rather than waiting until immediately before expiry.
How do you receive the renewed passport?
When the passport is ready, the Australian Passport Office normally sends it by Registered Post. It emails you when the passport is sent and also sends an SMS with the Registered Post tracking number. Once posted, the Passport Office advises that it should generally arrive in about a week.
If you need the passport sooner, you can request collection from a passport office when lodging the application, subject to the applicable collection arrangements.
What if you are renewing from outside Australia?
The same core renewal eligibility conditions apply overseas, but the application is lodged through the relevant Australian embassy or consulate rather than Australia Post. You can complete the renewal form online or obtain a pre-filled paper form from the mission.
Allow at least 6 weeks when applying overseas and contact the embassy or consulate for local lodgement, payment and delivery arrangements. Overseas adult passport applications are not eligible for Priority or Fast Track processing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I renew my Australian passport before it expires?
Yes. An Australian adult passport can be renewed while it is still valid if it meets all renewal eligibility conditions. You do not have to wait until the expiry date.
What passports are eligible for Australian adult passport renewal?
The passport must have been issued when you were aged 16 or older, on or after 1 January 2006, with at least 2 years validity. It must show your current name, date of birth, place of birth and gender, must not have been reported lost, stolen or cancelled, and must be presented when you lodge the renewal.
How much does Australian passport renewal cost in 2026?
A standard 10-year adult passport costs AUD $422 from 1 January 2026. People aged 75 or over may choose a 5-year adult passport for AUD $213.
How long does an Australian passport renewal take in 2026?
Allow at least 6 weeks from lodging the application. The Australian Passport Office describes routine service as up to 6 weeks.
Can I renew my Australian passport completely online?
No. You can complete the renewal form online, but you must print it and lodge the application in person at a participating Australia Post outlet with your photos, existing passport and any supporting documents requested.
Do I need a guarantor or referee to renew an Australian passport?
No. You do not need a guarantor or referee when using the eligible streamlined adult passport renewal process.
How many photos do I need for an Australian passport renewal?
You need 2 passport-sized photos that meet Australian Passport Office standards. Write your full name in black pen on the back of one photo.
Can I renew a passport that was issued when I was under 16?
Not through the streamlined adult renewal process. To qualify, the passport being renewed must have been issued when you were aged 16 or older. Otherwise you need a full new adult passport application.
Can I renew a lost or stolen Australian passport?
No. A passport that has been reported lost, stolen or cancelled does not qualify for streamlined renewal. You need to use the applicable new passport process.
Can I renew my passport if my name or gender has changed?
The ordinary renewal process requires the passport to show your current name, date of birth, place of birth and gender. If these details have changed, you may need a replacement or new passport process with supporting evidence instead.
Does my old passport stay valid while the renewal is processed?
If you apply in Australia with a current passport, it will generally be cancelled when you apply to renew it. The Australian Passport Office advises against overseas travel while you wait for the new passport.
Does unused validity transfer to my renewed passport?
No. Remaining validity from your old passport does not carry over. Your new passport is valid from the date it is issued.
Does my Australian passport number change when I renew?
Yes. Your new passport will have a new passport number. Update travel bookings, visa applications and other records that contain your previous passport number.
Can I pay for faster Australian passport renewal?
Eligible applicants in Australia can pay an additional AUD $308 for Priority processing within 2 business days or AUD $107 for Fast Track processing within 5 business days after the Passport Office receives a complete application. Delivery time is additional.
Can I renew an Australian passport while overseas?
Yes, if the passport meets the renewal conditions. Complete the online form or obtain a pre-filled form from the nearest Australian embassy or consulate and follow that mission's lodgement instructions. Overseas applications are not eligible for Priority or Fast Track processing.
Official sources
Australian Passport Office - Adult passport and passport renewalAustralian Passport Office - Passport renewalAustralian Passport Office - Passport feesAustralian Passport Office - Processing timesAustralian Passport Office - Urgent travel and faster processingAustralian Passport Office - Passport expiryAustralian Passport Office - Applying outside AustraliaAustralian Passport Office - Passport photo requirementsRelated procedures
Useful next steps and closely related guides for Australia.
Others were interested in
Other practical guides people exploring this topic may find useful.