How to Renew a British Passport in Australia

No more than 30 minutes! That is the time in which applicants will be able to process their application for a British passport renewal in Australia with the help of this guide.

Here you will find the steps to follow to renew a British passport in Australia, the required documentation, and requirements for children, among many other things.

In addition, readers will learn how to get a passport photo ready for a UK passport application in just 2 minutes with the PhotoAiD® app, with +1 million downloads.

Speed up your passport renewal process. Get a perfect UK passport photo with the help of our automated passport photo tool. No need to look for photo services in Australia—snap your picture wherever you are!

How do you renew a British passport in Australia?

To renew a British passport in Australia, a person just needs to visit a dedicated governmental website, fill in the online overseas passport application form, and pay the corresponding fees. 

There is no need to look for an embassy or schedule any meetings.

Renew British passport in Australia: process overview

Overall, renewing a United Kingdom passport in Australia is possible in less than half an hour by completing the process entirely online, via the official UK-government website.

Here is a brief overview of the renewal process:

Step 1: take a UK-sized passport photograph: 35 x 45 mm size, in colour. You can submit your own digital passport photo by using PhotoAiD® (100% validity guarantee), or visit a photo studio to get a special code.

Step 2: collect the necessary documents. In most circumstances, your current passport is the only document you need.

Step 3: fill in the online overseas passport renewal application form.

Step 4: pay the passport renewal fees (debit or credit cards only).

According to the information provided by the HM Passport Office, it may take up to 13 (thirteen) weeks to deliver a new passport, shipped to Brits via DHL. Applicants will get email updates about an already completed application form.

British passport renewal in Australia: an application form

When renewing a UK passport overseas, it may be required to attend the nearest British Embassy or Consulate. However, there is no need to visit an embassy and apply for a new travel document with the embassy’s mediation in Australia.

It is His Majesty’s Passport Office that deals with domestic and overseas passport inquiries online for UK citizens via a dedicated gov. website. 

To access the online service for overseas passport renewal and fill in the British passport renewal form in Australia, just click here.

*NOTE: the website is intuitive to navigate, and the interface is understandable, even for less technologically-advanced people, such as elders; walking you through each stage of the passport renewal process with clear commands and instructions.

Documents needed for renewing British passport from Australia

Although the overseas passport application informs you about the required documents during the process, it is advisable to prepare yourself beforehand. 

What documents are required for British passport renewal in Australia:

• current UK passport*
• recent UK-sized (35 x 45 mm) passport photograph (digital or a code from a photo studio).

Supporting documents if:

• the passport is lost or stolen: identity confirmation**;
• the applicant recently changed their name: a name-change certificate.

*Applicants must hand in their old passport whether this is in good condition or damaged. The expired UK passport will return it to the owner along with the new one.**In the event of a lost or stolen passport, British expats will need to confirm their identity—for that, another person will have to certify it. Learn more about the identity confirmation process here.

Renew child’s British passport in Australia

Children should follow the same procedure as adults when applying for a new passport. 

First, access the overseas passport application (here) and fill in the form with their child’s details instead of their own. 

Before paying the corresponding fees, submit the appropriate documents for a kid’s UK passport renewal:

• a UK-sized passport photograph—either a digital version or a code from a photo studio;
• if applicable, the court order stating parental responsibility, the kid’s custody, or residency arrangements, for example;
• any other passport the kid may have, as a citizen of Australia or any country different from the UK;
• if the kid is 11 (eleven) years old or younger, parental consent is not enough. Online identity confirmation from another person is required. More details here.

How much does it cost to renew a UK passport from Australia?

The UK passport renewal prices are standardised for all countries and are paid in British Pound Sterling—regardless of the applicant’s location.

Here is a table of standard costs for British passport renewals:

• standard adult passport: £94;
• standard child passport: £61;
• courier fee: £19.86.

Due to currency fluctuations, the final amount paid in AUD will differ depending on when you apply for your new travel document.

Emergency British passport renewal from Australia

If you need to receive a new passport immediately, for example, because of a sudden funeral of a relative or for medical reasons, the British government has foreseen an option for emergency passports. 

An emergency passport is a unique travel document that allows you to travel for a single journey through up to 5 (five) countries. The emergency passport is valid only on your planned itinerary, and you cannot use it as a regular passport.

It is essential to understand that an emergency passport is not an expedited (fast-track) service to receive a passport. Once you complete your journey, you will have to apply for a standard UK passport.

When can you apply for an emergency passport?

• your passport was lost or stolen;
• your UK passport is expired;
• your passport is full;
• UK citizens have urgent travel plans.

What is required for an emergency passport?

• you need to be a citizen of the UK;
• you need to provide proof of your itinerary.

You can apply for an emergency travel document in Australia by visiting this website.

The fee for an emergency passport is £100, and the processing time takes up to 2 (two) working days.

Get your UK-sized passport photos from home

PhotoAiD® is a professional program that transforms your pictures into fully government-compliant UK passport photos—and it does so automatically, in just 3 seconds.

Go to Google Play or App Store, download the app and take a photo with your smartphone anywhere you want. 

You do not have to think about a proper background, as the app will replace it with a plain white one, adjust the lighting and crop your photo adequately to UK standards. 

Once you submit the image to the app, a human expert will verify your photograph—and correct it if needed—to ensure the highest quality and success rate. See why Forbes, National Geographic, and Glamour endorse this app and get your UK passport photos from your home.

FAQ

See answers to the frequently asked questions about British passport renewal in Australia below.

How to renew a British passport in Australia: closing thoughts

With the overseas passport renewal app, the British government has introduced one of the most advanced and comfortable systems for passport renewal for its citizens. The whole procedure can be done entirely online.

What is more, you can now use the services of PhotoAiD® to take your passport photographs at home—meaning the whole process of renewing your UK passport (photo and application) can be wrapped up in 1 hour from your couch.

Sylwia Green

Sylwia is a skilled writer with a BA in English Studies and an active SPJ member. For nearly three years now, she’s been writing captivating articles for international companies, turning her lifelong passion into a career.