When Paris Smith paid for a passport renewal in March for her first overseas trip, she hadn't expected to be waiting for it 10 weeks later.
"You literally don't know. You have no idea when it's coming. You have no idea if something's missing, or if they can't reach you," she said. DFAT said the "average" passport was taking 17 business days to process, "well short of the six-week time frame customers are recommended to allow to renew their passport or get a new one", but new applications and those for children may take longer.'They're not answering the phone'
"It's sort of a healing journey after such a horrific thing that happened and also to make new memories with my children," she said. Ms Keisho is hoping the overseas trip will be an opportunity to create new memories after her husband's death.
No unprecedented demand for Vaccine Passports! The vaccines don’t work in any case! On the contrary it spreads covid !
Australians had 2 years to renew their passports. Renewed mine 18 months ago and got it done in record time - 2 weeks. Knew this would happen as soon as the borders opened
I have been caught in this chaos today as well: 3 hrs to make a call, then 3.5 hrs in queues...and then being told that 'up to 6 weeks' actually means 'at least 1 week more', so I needed to apply for 'priority' 2-day processing... I wished I was told this 6 weeks ago...
I've just waited 2.5 hours on the phone to check progress on priority passports (paid a huge surcharge for priority) lodged on 14th May. I didn't get through. After 2.5 hours on hold the voice said high demand call back later and hung up on me. We travel in 1 month.
Typical comment from the drugged ABC Bully studios unfortunate we are stuck with them due to the Wong Communist Bully Girls in charge now - next victim ?
Contact your federal MP’s office via email/letter and request that they assist you, especially if you need your passport urgently.
Recently was renewing passports &at the post office,it seemed like 20% were there for passports. You can check progress online or call.If none of that works,write a feedback on how they can improve their processes &ask for an update.I got an update within 24hrs& p/port within 2wk
How rich is that mole?
I paid the extra and got a passport in 2 working days but the queues and phones etc are as described. The phone thing is the same with all large OZ organisations and frankly the covid excuse is wearing thin. We are being softened up to expect less and pay more.
Australians overseas were denied access to their own country , because of the actions of both levels of Government over 2 years. The Australian passport? Meaningless.
Got mine sorted last year
Just gone through this. My own suggestions; Don't call 131232 - no one will answer If more than 6 weeks have passed, go to your passport office if you can - they will expediate Be mindful that kids passports take more time Be kind to the staff - they are under a lot of pressure
When you run the public service on perennial efficiency dividends, this is what you get.
I’ve been waiting 11 weeks for my daughter’s passport. They need to update their website to warn people it may take this long- it currently says up to 6 weeks.
ReconnectAust I was expected to travel from Denver to LA (think Bris to Mel) in the middle of the pandemic to renew my passport. Could get 1 year passport via zoom, but it would have expired before I managed to get back to Australia. US let its citizens return home on expired passports...
Mine took 10 days….
I had this experience with my daughters passport. The major cause is the 100 year old paper and postage based method of application. Why can’t we submit the application 100% online as I can for my kiwi passport ?
My wife and I put ours in 2.5 weeks ago and received last week. Our youngest daughters is the main worry. But we have 6 weeks to travel time. The post office says 6-12 weeks, their own website says max 6.
Ten years of cuts to the public service will do that....
They’ve only had two years to get organised. Feel sorry for urgent compassionate travellers who can’t get one but. Next thing it will be complaints from people wanting a 2 year extension because they couldn’t use their passport
My son only needed his passport renewed. Eight weeks later and due to fly out on Saturday with his wife and child to UK. Went through all the grind. Went to the building. Massive queues. Made it at the 11th hour. No way four weeks. Big sorry no sorry lie.
Waited on hold 4 times for over 40 minutes and then got cut off without having spoken to anyone..the worst customer service dfat
We've been waiting 6 weeks with no info from passports Australia..meanwhile ticket prices have soared.I'll bet they want us all to lay the extra 3xhorbitant fees for a rushed passport..this is disgusting. Australia really is a 1st world country with 3rd world infrastructure
Put my renewal in 3 weeks ago. New passport on its way. Despite being warned of a delay
Passport office contacted me last November about my passport expiring in March and that due to Covid they expected longer than usual delays. So they e at least tried to do the right thing, just don’t leave it too close to departure date after being given such a warning.