Durability of New Australian Passports

[harvyk]

No problem with mine, an 07 issue which has had a few trips under its belt, including being accidentally slept on after a night of drinking in SF - Left a nice crease in it, but no problems using it since then (inc an additional trip to the US, where if anyone was going to complain it was going to be them)

As for where it is stored, here in Australia, it's kept in a class C cabinet which has an alarm watching it (more by accident and convenience than design, I'm not normally that paranoid)

When overseas it normally stays in my top pocket, with a bit of emergency cash (my get out of the country cash in case my wallet is stolen, there is normally enough there for a taxi ride to the airport and to cover any departure taxes).

On the odd occasion I have left it in hotel safes (normally because I'm off swimming and thus it's not very practical for me to keep hold of it) but it is rare.

 

[wtolmie]

im up for a new one also. 1 full page left in my 2002 issued 32 pager. Althought the last 3 years did 80% of the filling. Hard part is when to get it.. I have a trip to TPE late next month and then US un July.. Need to time it so I can have my APEC card re-issued.

Not to change subject, but anyone re-applied recently ? Whats the current timing to get issued ?

 

[straitman]

They fall apart at the drop of a hat
I've had two os trips in 2 years and mine has fallen to bits.

tuppaware,

I have to ask what you do to your Passport that it cannot survive when the vast majority seem to have no issue with many times the number of trips that you have flown.

 

[JohnK]

Not to change subject, but anyone re-applied recently ? Whats the current timing to get issued ?

I have been told by Australia Post that it will be ready within 10 business days of submitting the renewal.

I don't need the new passport until mid-June and trying to time the renewal as close as possible without jeopardising the trip.

 

[Archphoto]

Mine is just over 21/2 years old and is starting to show it's extremely frequent use. Humidity is a real killer - as others have said it starts to sag when the humidity increases and I am noticing the cover is starting to fray. (That said, my previous one got totally wet in a downpour and UHU glue came in handy to stick the cover back onto my info page!!)

I have also noticed that some immigration points also have a bit of a tough time reading it - no idea why, but have seen them punch in the coding manually on a number of occasions.

I have a 64 page and it is almost full - why can't we just have extra pages added like several other countries (or supply a 128 page passport)? Would be a whole lot easier on both my time and wallet.

 

[simongr]

I have been told by Australia Post that it will be ready within 10 business days of submitting the renewal.

Interesting - I am wondering whether to get an express delivery option as I travel on 27 May and am applying for my first passport on Saturday...

 

[Mal]

Interesting - I am wondering whether to get an express delivery option as I travel on 27 May and am applying for my first passport on Saturday...

I don't see there being any issues with it arriving in that time. I'd be doing the following:
- Applying through one of the major Aus Post offices that accept passport applications (ensuring that you've made a booking if they require it).
- Get Australia Post to take the photos. Costs about $10. They know what is accepted etc, so will often take quite a few to get everything just right.

There's also a field on the application (IIRC) asking if you have any travel planned in the near future.

See also:
https://www.passports.gov.au/Web/FAQ.aspx#faq4

How long does it take to get a passport?

In Australia the Australian Passport Office is committed to mailing out an eligible applicant's passport within ten working days of receiving all information and documentation we require.

We are equally committed to prompt processing of passport applications made overseas at any Australian diplomatic or consular mission. In most cases an eligible applicant's full validity passport will be available for collection or despatch from the mission within ten working days of a passport interview if all our requirements are met. It will be issued by one of our passport production centres - London, Washington, or Canberra. You should allow extra time for local mail delivery if you have requested that the passport be mailed to you. If you cannot wait ten working days for a full validity passport, the mission can issue an emergency passport to cover urgent travel needs. There is no application fee for issuing an emergency passport but you need to pay a priority processing fee.

Our Priority Processing Service guarantees that your passport will be ready for collection or despatch from a Passport Office within two working days of the office receiving everything it needs from you. However, you should allow extra time for Australia Post outlets to forward your application to us and for your passport to reach you by registered mail. There is a fee for this service in addition to the normal passport application fee. This service is not available for applications for full validity passports made overseas, except in London and Washington.

 

[Fantic125]

Mine was renewed in May 08, and is about 2/3'rds full (std 32 page) and no issues with durability or chip condition, although I usually keep it in a Samsonite pouch or Victorinox folder in transit and in the hotel safe when on the ground.
Some Companies I visit I need to show my passport and visa (or APEC card) to show I'm legal so I'll carry it around. If I'm in a country where it's recommended to carry it with you at all times I may take it with me when I'm out and about, otherwise it stays in the safe.

 

[tuppaware]

tuppaware,

I have to ask what you do to your Passport that it cannot survive when the vast majority seem to have no issue with many times the number of trips that you have flown.

Its in my pocket most of the time on the trips , I guess I'm not precious with it and I did spill half a Tsingtao over it in China.

But compared to my english passport it doesnt seem able to handle the rough.

 

[Sprucegoose]

There are good passport holders around - I used to use a Samsonite one which was great, currently using one made from sail material which is pretty good, but not rigid (which is both good and bad as it can cause the passport to bend). Storing my passport (in case) in my jeans pocket all the time doesn't help with wear and tear either.

The worst thing you can do is to store a passport without a cover in a pair of trousers or jeans (and shirt isn't too much better). They are very easily damaged when stored in those ways (esp. when travelling in hot countries in Asia etc).

Best passport cover I ever got was a gift from CX, still used 15yrs later!!!!

 

[thewinchester]

Interesting - I am wondering whether to get an express delivery option as I travel on 27 May and am applying for my first passport on Saturday...

While others might disagree, I won't trust Australia Post with my passport apps as far as I can throw them.

I have found their staff, even at major centres, lacking the requisite knowledge to do the job properly. Despite having access to qualified resources at DFAT to deal with tricky problems or queries, they often fail to use it when needed.

My situation wasn't helped by Victoria's Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry having woeful IT and not being able to match up nearly 50k Victorian born Australians in a routine data match back in 2005/6. I was one of the 50k who they couldn't match up, and of course was never told about this by DFAT until I tried to renew the normal way. sigh.

After so many problems with AusPost and DFAT, I make a point of applying only at the state office to make absolutely sure everything is spot on at the appointment, so I know there'll be no problems down the road and my passport will be ready for collection on the exact day they say it'll be there.

Sure, doing it this way requires a few appointment hoops, but in the end saves me a whole day each time.

 

[Mal]

After so many problems with AusPost and DFAT, I make a point of applying only at the state office to make absolutely sure everything is spot on at the appointment, so I know there'll be no problems down the road and my passport will be ready for collection on the exact day they say it'll be there.

Sure, doing it this way requires a few appointment hoops, but in the end saves me a whole day each time.

You're pretty unlucky to not have details correctly matched up - and that will delay any application as the birth cert will be assumed to be fake.

So how do you convince them to give you an appointment? I thought they were only for urgent cases?

 

[tuapekastar]

While others might disagree, I won't trust Australia Post with my passport apps as far as I can throw them.

I have found their staff, even at major centres, lacking the requisite knowledge to do the job properly. Despite having access to qualified resources at DFAT to deal with tricky problems or queries, they often fail to use it when needed.

You've obviously had a bad experience, but my last 2 passport renewals (the most recent last year) were problem-free and prompt, both through AusPost (one in Melbourne, one in Bendigo) - admittedly they were straightforward renewals. I didn't need an appointment, just fronted (I think I had pre-printed and filled in the form), had photos taken, paid my money, and the passport turned up at home within a week or two.

As for 'storage', it's in a drawer at home, in my carry-on on the plane, and either in a safe at the accommodation, or if no safe, I leave it locked in my suitcase (I really do not want to be carrying it around all day every day - I figure much more chance of losing/damaging it).

 

[adrian]

Well, my passport would be in good condition if it hadn't been chewed up and spat out by the automatic passport readers at Sydney airport. That was the first and last time I ever used those machines.

As to photos, my previous passport photo was taken by one of the photobooths in a shopping mall. As I collected it from the machine, the colour dribbled down and off the photo (I think a blue shirt turned purple, and I looked green). I was in a hurry to get my passport, so I submitted it anyway. That lovely photo lasted for 10 years! sensibly, on my most recent photo, I took about 50 photos in very flattering light, chose the best and had it properly printed. Much nicer!

 

[harvyk]

As to photos, my previous passport photo was taken by one of the photobooths in a shopping mall. As I collected it from the machine, the colour dribbled down and off the photo (I think a blue shirt turned purple, and I looked green). I was in a hurry to get my passport, so I submitted it anyway. That lovely photo lasted for 10 years! sensibly, on my most recent photo, I took about 50 photos in very flattering light, chose the best and had it properly printed. Much nicer!

I simply went down to a near by photography store and told them I needed a passport photo. They took the photo (already knowing exactly what will pass and what wouldn't), they had all the equipment set up, 5 minutes later I got a set of photos which were perfect first time.

When my daughter needed one last year, I took her to the nearby chemist, they printed off a set, I took one look at them and told them to do it again as there was no chance the passport office was going to accept them (way too dark, and washed out). The thins is the chemist trying "convincing" me that they were good photos and I'd have no problems... Yeah right... (2 years photography behind me, I think I know a washed out photo when I see one)

 

[PineappleSkip]

committed to mailing out an eligible applicant's passport within ten working days of receiving all information and documentation we require.

Apart from the (small) possibility of post delays there is the (much bigger) possibility that your doco will be rejected. Mrs pineapple managed to have two successive passport photos rejected and got lucky with the third

appointment? I thought they were only for urgent cases

the post office I usually go to requires everyone to have an appointment

Cheers skip

 

[Febs]

A mate of mine had his passport chip broken by a bouncer in the US when using it as ID. The bouncer was bending it and *snap*....

Oh, and on the topic of hotel safes - I've heard more than one story of people coming back to their rooms to find hotel staff sitting on their bed, trying to break into their laptop (China). Assume that anything you put in your hotel "safe" is anything but, especially in China.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[JohnK]

Oh, and on the topic of hotel safes - I've heard more than one story of people coming back to their rooms to find hotel staff sitting on their bed, trying to break into their laptop (China). Assume that anything you put in your hotel "safe" is anything but, especially in China.

It takes great character (or extreme naivety) to trust hotel staff anywhere in the world.

A little lesson I have learned in life is not to leave anything in a hotel room you are not prepared to lose....

 

[Archphoto]

It takes great character (or extreme naivety) to trust hotel staff anywhere in the world.

A little lesson I have learned in life is not to leave anything in a hotel room you are not prepared to lose....

Whilst working for one of the major hotel groups, the topic of safes came up when talking with a marketing manager.

Her reply to one of the team *not* using their in-room safe:

"I put everything in mine - including my computer. If you leave it out - you're asking for trouble."

And she always stays at her company's hotel brand. . . . .

 

[FlyboyAl]

Apart from the (small) possibility of post delays there is the (much bigger) possibility that your doco will be rejected. Mrs pineapple managed to have two successive passport photos rejected and got lucky with the third

As someone who owns and runs a photo lab, I can tell you that the quality of the photo, as well as dimensions, shadow (none), resolution and lighting are all more complicated than just standing in front of a 3mp camera and getting a photo taken.

We are listed for Australian, UK, Dutch, Greek, USA, Canada, India and lots more, and if you think all the photos are the same, you are totally wrong.

In 2 years we have only had one rejected photo, and that rejection was reversed after I "discussed" it with the post office owner at the time.

Photo booths in shopping centers are no longer capable of giving the required quality for a biometric passport photo - your local camera shop/photo lab should be able to do it for you, and generally in a more professional format than a chemist with an instant print kiosk.

You may or may not know (or care) but the whole passport photo specs were designed by the DSTO at Edinburgh in South Australia, and those specs have been taken internationally. There are official requirements for camera resolution, lens focal length, printing resolution, background, head height, type of paper it is printed on and a lot more.

And most importantly, they are NOT a fashion statement any more.