Important Changes To UK Passport Applications in Australia
Hi All,
Just checked the UK High Commission website and came across some new information,as from June 2 all new applications for UK passports in Australia will be handled at post offices.
Important changes to UK passport applications in Australia
This should make it easier to arrange a passport rather than having to send the forms to Canberra for processing.
Quote:
Important changes to UK passport applications in Australia (11/06/2009)



Ringing the changes



A new service for UK passport applications in Australia is about to begin.
From Monday 15 June 2009, all passport applications are required to be processed through selected Australia Post outlets.

From 15 June 2009, all applications sent directly to the British High Commission will be returned. This also applies to applications made in person in Canberra or at any other British Consulate in Australia.
Staff at Australia Post will check your passport application with you face-to-face before forwarding on for processing.

Why is this happening?
We are constantly looking for ways to keep the quality of our service as high as it can be and the cost of producing a passport, including the fee you pay, as low as it can be. So we're re-organising our passport operation world-wide to make sure that happens.

Last year 20,000 passport applications were sent back because they were not prepared correctly; documents were missing or the application form wasn't complete. By having someone go through it with you, there is less chance of this happening.
What do I have to do from 2nd June?
You’ll need to take your passport application to a selected post office. To find the Australia Post outlet nearest you, click here after 2nd June and select ‘Application and form lodgement’ to make an online appointment. Alternatively, you can call Australia Post on 13 13 18.


You'll need to take your fee and all the documents you've been asked to provide with you. Australia Post will also collect the processing and courier delivery fee for each application. This covers the costs for providing an appointed facility, identification services, checking each application and the secure courier postage and subsequent return of each application.


The British High Commission in Canberra will only accept direct postal applications until 15th June 2009. After that, they’ll be sent back unopened.


__________________
N'OZ
May those that love us, love us, and those who don't love us, may God turn their hearts, and if can't turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles, so we know them by their limping."
Paul McCain
Irishman