thewinchester
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DFAT's Passports group looking to upgrade systems and processes, CBP also set to follow with tender underway to replace passport readers at immigration arrivals and departure desks.
Changes to passport processing planned
CHALPAT SONTI, Fairfax via watoday.com.au
January 11, 2010
Radical changes to the way passports are processed are on the cards, with authorities looking to do away with paper forms and photos and move most of the application process online.
As part of plans to replace the decade-old Delta passport processing system - in order to cope with a surge in passport applications in the next few years - the Australian Passport Office is examining ways to speed up the process, with centralisation part of its plans.
Proposals in an APO document obtained by WAtoday.com.au show that instead of taking photos and signed forms and themselves to a passport office, applicants would have their photo and signature taken "live" electronically during the interview process, with the details uploaded online immediately.
...
The APO is not the only Government agency looking to update its passport technology.
Customs and Border Protection also recently started looking for new ePassport document readers at Australian international airports.
The agency says the readers need to be replaced to better detect fraudulent travel documents.