Due to the increased demand following the reopening of the international border, passports are currently taking longer to process. You should allow up to 8 - 10 weeks to receive a passport.
The following information outlines the required documentation to lodge a passport application – however, you should always review the requirements for your application from the Australian Passport Office . If you have any questions prior to your appointment, please contact the office where you are lodging your application.
Quick guide to applying for a passport
Guarantor list of accepted occupation groups
To make a passports appointment at the High Commission in Pretoria, please click here:
Fees
Passport fees are payable in ZAR by credit or debit card at the nominated exchange rate (which is subject to variations). No other form of payment, such as EFT, cash, Diner’s Club or American Express cards are accepted.
As of 1 July 2015, an additional Overseas Surcharge will be applied to passport applications lodged outside of Australia. This fee will not apply to emergency passports.
Fees for passport applications lodged with our Honorary Consuls in Mozambique, Angola, Namibia and Botswana may be paid by credit card (Visa or MasterCard only). The following credit card authorization form can be printed, completed and signed, if another person wishes to pay for your passport application by credit card only.
Credit Card Authorization Form
Outreach Visits
The Australian High Commission offers an outreach visit to Cape Town annually. This outreach trip is a courtesy offered by the Australian High Commission, and it is not a requirement from the Australian Passport Office. The trip is offered as and when staff capacity and circumstances allow. Although we do our utmost to accommodate as many applicants as we can, it is simply not possible for us to assist all.
Passport Photographs
Photographs for a new Australian passport must meet the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), including size, quality, colour, style, lighting, applicant’s pose and facial expression. In cases where the photograph presented does not meet the requirements, the applicant will be requested to supply alternative photographs. In most cases, it is the use of poor quality paper or ink that leads to a photo being rejected after scanning.
Detailed requirements for passport photographs are outlined on the application form and on the passports website www.passports.gov.au
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS​
What happens if my passport expires during this time?
There is no penalty for letting your passport expire. If you do plan to travel or need a passport for another reason, we encourage you to contact the Australian High Commission directly – [email protected]
What if I am medically unfit to travel to your office?
Please contact us to discuss your situation.
What if I need to travel unexpectedly due to an emergency?
Please apply for an emergency passport as soon as possible by following the instructions here. We can generally issue an emergency passport within 2 working days.
Do I have to replace my temporary/emergency passport in person at your office?
Yes. If you are issued a temporary or emergency passport, you must lodge a new application using the PC8 Application for an Australian Passport Overseas form (not the renewal form) in person at one of our offices. Adults may lodge at any location worldwide. For child applications, the application must be lodge at an office in the country where the child is physically located.