Qantas set to Stike again this Friday the 7th of October 2011.
Disturbances are expected to pick up late this week as the Transport Workers Union (TWU) announced a walk-out of its members on the last day of school holidays, 7 October. The two hour strike will take place during travel peak period from 4.00pm and has been described by the carrier’s group executive Olivia Wirth as cynical and a “disgrace”.
How long Does It Take To Get a New Passport?
In Australia the Australian Passport Office is committed to mailing out an eligible applicant's passport within ten working days of receiving all information and documentation we require.
We are equally committed to prompt processing of passport applications made overseas at any Australian diplomatic or consular mission. In most cases an eligible applicant's full validity passport will be available for collection or despatch from the mission within ten working days of a passport interview if all our requirements are met. It will be issued by one of our passport production centres - London, Washington, or Canberra. You should allow extra time for local mail delivery if you have requested that the passport be mailed to you. If you cannot wait ten working days for a full validity passport, the mission can issue an emergency passport to cover urgent travel needs. There is no application fee for issuing an emergency passport but you need to pay a priority processing fee.
Our Priority Processing Service guarantees that your passport will be ready for collection or despatch from a Passport Office within two working days of the office receiving everything it needs from you. However, you should allow extra time for Australia Post outlets to forward your application to us and for your passport to reach you by registered mail. There is a fee for this service in addition to the normal passport application fee. This service is not available for applications for full validity passports made overseas, except in London and Washington.
What forms do I need and where do I get one?
Passport application forms may be completed and printed from - https://www.passports.gov.au/Web/index.aspx . Select the "Passport Applications" button located on the home page. Your answers to our questions will direct you to the correct application form.
Alternatively in Australia visit an Australia Post outlet, an Australian Passport Office or ring the Australian Passport Information Service (APIS) on 131 232. If contacting APIS select option zero (0) if you need to speak with an advisor.
Outside Australia please contact the nearest Australian diplomatic or consular mission.
- Do I need six months validity left on my passport before I can travel from and then re enter Australia?
Australian passports are valid for travel into and out of Australia regardless of the length of remaining validity. An Australian passport remains valid until the expiry date.
However, it is the right of any country to control entry into their borders and this is usually done via visas or ensuring sufficient validity remains on the visitor’s travel document. Entry requirements are decided by foreign governments and are not something that the Australian Government can influence.
You need to ensure that your passport has adequate validity to meet the entry requirements of the countries you intend to visit (or transit). Some countries require travellers to have at least six months validity remaining on their passports beyond the period of intended stay, and immigration authorities may refuse entry if you arrive with less than this. Airlines and passenger shipping lines may refuse to carry you if your passport has inadequate validity.
Before travel you should contact the Embassy, High Commission or Consular representative of all the countries you will be travelling to, or seek advice from your travel agent, to identify each country’s passport validity requirements. If you are unsure, it is safest to renew your passport prior to travelling.
- Does my Passport have a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ)? Do I need a visa to travel to the USA?
All Australian passports being issued in Australia, and most Australian travel documents issued overseas, are machine readable.
Australian machine readable passports feature a two line machine readable zone (MRZ) at the bottom of the biographical data page, consistent with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
The US Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act will eventually require that the passport of any Visa Waiver Program traveller should contain a biometric identifier that meets standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade began issuing Australian Passports with a biometric identifier on the 24th of October 2005. Australian passports issued prior to that date will not contain a biometric identifier.
The US Government has advised that Australians who currently hold a valid passport which contains a machine readable zone on the personal details page will still be eligible to enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program. These passports do not need to contain a biometric identifier.
For further information regarding US entry requirements please contact the US Embassy of Australia website at http://canberra.usembassy.gov/ or visit www.state.gov the US State Department website.
Passport application forms can be filled in and printed online, but not lodged. You will need to sign the completed application form in black ink and lodge it at the time of your personal interview, together with all of the supporting documentation listed on the application form.
In Australia most forms are lodged at Australia Post outlets. Clients able to demonstrate an urgent need to travel may call APIS on 131 232 to make an appointment to lodge at an Australian Passport Office.
Overseas applicants should contact the nearest Australian diplomatic or consular mission to obtain details for lodgement.
Do I need to provide an original document or will a certified copy or extract do?
When you apply for an Australian passport you must provide original documents which confirm your Australian citizenship and your identity. Please note that birth extracts, commemorative certificates, photocopies (including those that have been certified as a true copy) and fax copies are NOT acceptable.
An original document is:
A document produced by the authority or organisation named on the document and which has not been altered since it was produced. A duplicate copy (note - a duplicate copy is not a photocopy) which has been issued and certified as a true copy by the authority or organisation named on the original document may also be accepted as if it were an original.
- My name has changed. Can I travel in my previous name, otherwise how do I change the name on my passport?
It is legal to travel in your previous name, but it is recommended in this case that your tickets are issued in the same name.
Passports are issued in your name at birth or citizenship. They may be issued in a different name if you have a name change document issued by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) or an amended citizenship certificate issued by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
A full application form is required to apply for a passport to be issued in your new name. You must provide supporting documentation from RBDM or DIAC. Normal fees may apply.
You must bring to an interview, originals of documents that explain all name changes.
To obtain a new passport for a name change due to marriage, you will need to present a marriage certificate issued by the RBDM, a completed application, current passport and photographs. A gratis passport (i.e. free of charge) will only be issued if you apply for your new passport within 12 months of your marriage. The passport being replaced should have at least 2 years validity remaining otherwise you will be unable to replace the gratis document using the streamlined renewal process. In these circumstances, the new passport would only be issued up to the date of validity of the current passport. In all other circumstances, the full fee will have to be paid for a new passport.
If you wish to revert to the use of a previous family name following divorce, to obtain a new passport, you will need to lodge the original of your divorce certificate (decree nisi absolute), a completed application, current passport, current identification in the new name (if available) and photographs. The replacement passport will be issued gratis for the remaining validity period if the name change is requested within 12 months of the event.
The same requirements for marriage and divorce apply to adult partners of Registered Relationships. Depending on your situation, you may need to provide a Registered Relationship Certificate or a Revocation of Registered Relationship Certificate.
If you revert to your previous name following the death of your spouse (or adult partner of a Registered relationship), the original of the death certificate and your full birth certificate or Registered Relationship certificate issued by the RBDM should be provided. The replacement passport will be issued gratis for the remaining validity period if the name change is requested within 12 months of the event.