If you are a British citizen living in Australia, you can apply for a new passport, renew your existing passport, or replace a lost or stolen passport through His Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) in the United Kingdom. Applications are not processed through the British High Commission in Canberra or UK Consulates in Australia—they must be lodged directly with HMPO.

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1. Who Can Apply

You can apply for a British passport if you are a:

• British citizen (including those by descent or naturalisation).
• Holder of an expired British passport that can be renewed.
• First-time applicant who has obtained British nationality and wants a UK travel document.

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2. How to Apply

All applications are made online through the official UK Government website (gov.uk/apply-renew-passport). Paper applications are not available in Australia.

You will need to:

1. Create an online application.
2. Upload or send supporting documents (if requested).
3. Pay the passport fee online by debit/credit card.
4. Send your old passport (for renewals) or original documents (for first-time applications) to HMPO in the UK.

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3. Required Documents

The documents you need depend on whether you are renewing or applying for the first time. Common requirements include:

• Old passport (if renewing).
• Proof of British citizenship (birth certificate, naturalisation/registration certificate, or old UK passport).
• Proof of identity (may include foreign passports or Australian driver’s licence).
• Photographs: You must provide a digital photo that meets HMPO’s standards. If required, you may also need printed photos signed by a UK-eligible counter-signatory.

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4. Fees

As of 2025, fees for overseas applicants are approximately:

• Adult standard 34-page passport – £94
• Adult frequent traveller 50-page passport – £104
• Child passport – £61
• Courier fees – around £20 for secure delivery back to Australia.

(Fees are paid online in GBP and may vary with exchange rates.)

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5. Processing Times

• Standard applications usually take 8–11 weeks from the date HMPO receives your documents.
• Delays may occur if you are applying for the first time, have a complex nationality case, or HMPO requires additional checks.
• Always apply well in advance of any planned travel.

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6. Lost or Stolen Passports

If your passport has been lost or stolen in Australia:

• Report the loss immediately to HMPO online and to local Australian police (for record purposes).
• Complete a lost/stolen passport declaration when you submit your application.
• Additional checks may extend processing times.

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7. Receiving Your Passport

Once approved, your new passport will be couriered to your Australian address. Original documents will be returned separately, usually by secure mail.