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How to Renew your Australian Passport in the UK

I can’t believe it’s almost 10 years since getting my first adult passport! It’s a little sad that I now have to renew it! For those here wanting to know how to renew your Australian passport in the UK, here is my experience and guide to applying for your renewal.

Australia only has one consulate in the UK and that is in London. If you live outside of London you will need to book travel as you do need to complete the process in person. Plus if you are a Harry Potter fan you will get to see Gringotts?

Disclaimer: This is based on my experience and you should speak to the Passport Office if you are unsure. Here is the link for the UK Australian Embassy Passport Office. 

Disclaimer: Hi! this post may contain affiliate links which will take you to online retailers that sell products and services. If you click on one and buy something, I may earn a commission, see my Affiliate Disclosure for more details.

How long does it take?

Allow at least 4+ weeks for your application as the passport will take up to 3 weeks to arrive and you need to allow time to book an appointment with the Passport Office. If you are in a rush there is an express service that will come at a cost but you can get your new passport within 2 days after the appointment.

Here is a timeline and guide for the process:

Australian Passport Renewal Timeline & Guide
Australian Passport Renewal Timeline & Guide

Renewal Cost

Your new passport will cost the price of an ordinary adult passport, plus an overseas processing charge and special delivery charge. As the prices increase every year check the latest Australian Passport fees here. The website shows prices in Pounds (GBP) and Australian Dollars (AUD).

Renewing your passport in 2019 will cost £239 ($425 AUD). The cost breakdown is £165.00 ($293 AUD) for a 10-year passport, £74.00 ($132 AUD) for the application to be processed overseas and £6.50 for postage.

If you need your passport quicker than 3 weeks you can get the priority processing which is 2 business days at an extra cost of £121 ($215 AUD).

Get New Passport Photos

UK passport photos are a different size to Australian passport photos. It’s super easy to get alternative sizes. You will need to go to a photo store like Snappy Snaps and they will ask you what type of passport photo you need and next thing you know you have Australian passport sized photos.

Australian passport minimum photo size is 45mm x 35mm or larger to be accepted. If your photograph is larger than these measurements DO NOT trim it to size. The size of your head in the photograph must measure from bottom of chin to crown of head 32mm to 36mm.

More about the passport photo guidelines here.

Complete the Renewal Application Form Online

To apply for the renewal you need to meet the follow criteria and be over 18:
• was issued when you were 16 years of age or over; and
• was valid for at least two years when issued; and
• was issued in your current name, date of birth and sex; and
• is current or expired less than three years ago.

If you meet the criteria then you can continue with the online application form. First, you will need to create an AusPassport account with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade before you can start the application.

It will ask you to provide information on your current passport details, personal information and emergency contact details. The form will take less than two minutes to complete.

If you wish to get a physical form you will need to contact the Passport Office and they will post one out to you.

Save a copy to your computer and record the application number. Print out the form, sign it and attached the photos. One photo needs to have your first and last name with your signature on the back. All instructions will be on the front of the form if you need to double check anything.

Renewal Form for Australian Passport
Front page of the renewal application form

Example of an online Australian Passport Form
As you can see the form is quite simple to fill out and requires little information.

Book an Appointment

The Passport Office in London now has an online booking service, simply click here and book an appointment. To book an appointment by phone, call 020 7887 5816 between the hours of 9am-12pm on weekdays. The London Passport office operates on an appointment system and will not accept walk-ins.

Booking times are only available from 9 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday and they will be closed on Australian and UK holidays. Your appointment will need to fall within these hours.

The Passport Office will give you a confirmation number which you will need to note down and take on the day.

For further information about lodging your application please click here.

For those that can wait and don’t want to travel to London, there is also an Outreach Center that is run by the Passport Office. For more information on these types of appointments here.

Lodge the application in person

The Passport Office is located at:

Australian High Commission
Australia House
Strand
LONDON WC2B 4LA

If you are visiting an Outreach Center the Passport Office will provide you with location details. 

On the day of your appointment make sure you get there 10 to 15 minutes early. The Passport Office has airport style security. On arrival you press the buzzer telling the security guard that you have an appointment; they only let one person in at a time.

Once you are through security you’ll reach a computer screen into which you enter your booking confirmation and it will print you a ticket with your number. There is a waiting area whilst you wait for your number to be called.

When the Passport Clerk calls you up you simply present the form with the passport photos and your passport. Once they are happy with your application and accepted payment they will cancel the old passport by cutting off the long edge of the cover. Your old passport will be handed back to you afterwards.

Old Australian Passport
Once the passport office cuts the edge of your passport this makes the passport obsolete and you can no longer travel with it.

Your new passport will be posted to you and can take up to 3 weeks to be delivered.

Do You Need To Transfer Your Visa To Your New Passport?

Most visas are now on the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) cards but if you have an old style visa like me, that is in your old passport then all you need to do is carry both passports with you when you are travelling. If you have a BRP card then your old passport can be put away and be a reminder of all the adventures you’ve had together.

There is an option to get your visa turned into a BRP card, although it’s an expensive process that I feel is unnecessary.

New Australian Passport
This is what the new Australian Passports look like. I do prefer the old navy blue compared to the royal blue. 

Renewing Your Australian Passport in the UK (Video)

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Kat
Hi, I'm Kat, an Australian that moved to London in 2013 to start a new adventure. What a roller-coaster that was! I love helping others move to the UK and people explore the world! I’d be honoured if you’d say, “Thanks!” with a £3 coffee on Ko-fi.

Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi button

Aussie From Perth

Thursday 4th of June 2020

Just a simple note to say heart felt Thank You ! Your blog is so clear and so detailed that any Aussie (especially, this one from Perth) could renew their passport with their eyes closed. Thank you and wish you all the best !

Kat

Monday 15th of June 2020

Thank you! I am also from Perth :D!

Brian

Monday 20th of April 2020

Hi Kat,l have filled form online and received ref number, will they now post documents to me,or do l have to print them off myself to take to London

Kat

Tuesday 21st of April 2020

Hi Brian, I printed the form myself. You can also look out for outreach centre instead of travelling to London. As far as I am aware they aren't running any more until the current situation is over but you can follow it here: https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/outreachvisits.html. However if you need one quickly then London is your best bet :). Kat

Brandon Chow

Sunday 9th of February 2020

Hi Kat, Thanks for the very helpful guidance. I would like to ask just one question please. Do they accept credit card for payment of the new passport or do they accept cash only. Thank you. Best regards, Brandon Chow

Kat

Sunday 9th of February 2020

I paid with my card so they do take card payment. Not sure if they take cash payment.

Joseph Posner

Wednesday 29th of January 2020

Dear Kat

My name is Joseph Posner. I am an Australian Citizen with a Queensland birth certificate and expired Australian passport that was issued in 2003, which was valid for 5 years.

I am also a British citizen with a UK passport and I have been living here my whole life, I am now 25 years old.

I am preparing my application for a new Australian passport, however I am slightly confused at the process for acknowledging a name change for personal reasons.

My name was changed at a very young age, I was two, and I have some, but limited documentation to support this. It was changed through a Uk solicitor, and I have a copy of the original deed poll, as the original is no longer available.

My British passport reflects my name change, which is my current name, but my expired Australian passport has the name on my birth certificate.

It is a minor name change, my original surname was denounced, and one of my given names was made by surname.

In order to proceed with my Australian passport application, am I required to send documentation to the Queensland registrar from overseas, to document my name change? If so, what documents do i need considering I have never really lived in Australia, only born there.

Or would there be an alternative preferred course of action?

Many Thanks, Joseph Posner

Dave

Sunday 13th of October 2019

Hi Kat is it possible for a solicitor to do my Aus passport without traveling to London as I live in Yorkshire and not very mobile.

Kat

Sunday 13th of October 2019

The Australia Passport office does outreach centre which you can visit instead of coming to London. If you need your passport quicker and there isn't an outreach centre on the dates you need then you need to go to London. Next outreach is in Edinburgh from 22, 23, 24 and 25 October 2019. https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/outreachvisits.html

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