Travel document application forms (PC1, 4, 5, 7, 8) stipulate the requirements that the adult or child applicant must meet when applying for an Australian travel document. A completed PC5 application (for Convention Travel Documents and Certificate’s of Identity) may be lodged in Australia by non-Australian citizens at a Passport Office only. See ‘ Certificate of Identity(COI) ’, ‘ Convention Travel Documents (CTD) ’ .

Lodging in Australia

Applicants residing in Australia must lodge their application in person at a Passport Office or an accredited Australia Post Outlet and attend an interview conducted by an accredited Interview Officer. See ‘ Delegations & Authorisations ’.

Lodging overseas – in person/mail

Applicants residing overseas must lodge their application with their nearest Australian Diplomatic or Consular Mission and should attend an interview conducted by an accredited Interview Officer or Authorised Officer. See ‘ Delegations & Authorisations ’.

Overseas missions have the discretion to accept renewal applications by mail if they believe that such practice is appropriate, taking into consideration local conditions (e.g. security and level of local mail service). The exception acknowledges the limited locations available overseas to attend an interview compared to the Australian network consisting of Passport Offices and Australia Post Outlets and the difficulty and costs applicants may incur in attending an interview. However, the overseas mission can request an applicant to attend an interview after lodging by mail if it is deemed necessary to establish identity/citizenship.

The passport to be replaced (and original supporting documentation for a PC8 application) must accompany the application.

Applicants whose previous passport was either lost, stolen or seriously damaged while overseas, and are seeking a replacement document, must attend a passport interview at an Australian diplomatic or consular mission overseas, see ‘ Lost/Stolen Travel Documents ’ and ‘ Damaged Travel Documents ’.

See also:

• ‘Checking of the application form and documents that must be provided’ (below)


• ‘ ’

Purpose of the interview

The principle purpose of the interview is to positively confirm the identity of the applicant. The interviewer must also ensure information provided on the form is correct and supported, where necessary, by appropriate documentation so the applicant’s Australian citizenship status and entitlement to a travel document can be assessed by the Australian Passport Office.

Checking of the application form and documents that must be provided

Before accepting an application for an Australian passport, the interviewer must ensure that:

• The application is completed correctly and there are no unacceptable alterations (e.g. no white-out on a signature),.


• The two identical photographs are acceptable and are a good likeness to the applicant with one endorsed by the guarantor, see ‘ Photograph requirements ’.


• The signature boxes and declarations are signed appropriately. For adult applications, the applicant has signed the declaration. For child applications, the child has signed in the child signature box and the person with parental responsibility has signed the declaration. See ‘ Signatures and declaration ’.


• All supporting documents are originals. Photocopies, facsimiles and copies of documents certified by a Justice of the Peace cannot be accepted.


• Evidence of the applicant’s Australian citizenship (full Australian birth or an Australian citizenship certificate), see ‘ Citizenship ’.


• Evidence of the applicant’s identity is provided for all adults - personal identity documents (PIDS) combination is required (not applicable for a PC7 renewal form), see ‘ Identity ’.


• An appropriate guarantor has been provided, see ‘ Guarantor ’.


• If required, evidence of a change to the applicant’s name from the name shown on the cardinal document is provided (not applicable for a PC7 renewal form), see ‘ Names ’.


• If required, english translations of foreign supporting documents is provided, see ‘ Foreign language documents - translations ’.


• In the case of lost or stolen passports, the procedures as outlined in ‘ Lost/Stolen Travel Documents ’ are followed.


• Completed declaration ‘B’ forms are submitted where appropriate.


• Other evidence that the interviewing officer may deem necessary to establish identity, citizenship and entitlement. This may include additional identity documents.


• Collect the appropriate application fee (in the correct currency if lodged overseas).

See ‘ Interview ’ for details of lodgement requirements.

Child applications

For additional lodgement requirements in respect to a child application, see ‘ Supporting documentation for child application ’.