How to Apply for Your First Australian Passport (2026): Complete Guide

Applying for your first Australian passport is an exciting milestone — and the process is more straightforward than many people expect. This guide walks you through every step, from checking your eligibility to picking up your new passport, including how to get a compliant passport photo without leaving home.

Who Can Apply for an Australian Passport?

You can apply for an Australian passport if you are:

• An Australian citizen by birth, descent, or grant of citizenship
• Applying for yourself (or as a parent/guardian for a child)
• Not currently subject to a court order preventing you from travelling

Dual citizens can hold an Australian passport alongside a passport from another country. Australia recognises dual citizenship.

Documents Required for a First-Time Adult Application

For your first Australian passport (adult), you need:

• Proof of Australian citizenship: Australian birth certificate, Certificate of Australian Citizenship, or naturalisation certificate
• Photo ID: Driver's licence, or another government-issued photo ID
• Passport photo: DFAT-compliant 45×35 mm, recent (within 6 months)
• Completed application form: Form PC7 (adult, first passport)
• Payment: A$346 for a 10-year adult passport
• Guarantor declaration: Signed by an Australian citizen who has known you for at least 1 year

What Is a Passport Guarantor?

A guarantor is someone who:

• Is an Australian citizen aged 18 or over
• Has known you personally for at least 1 year
• Holds a current Australian passport
• Is not a family member (a friend, colleague, or neighbour)

Your guarantor signs the back of one of your passport photos and completes part of the application form confirming your identity.

Applying for Your First Passport

First-time passport applications cannot be completed entirely online — you must apply in-person at:

• A participating Australia Post branch
• An Australian Passport Office location
• An Australian consulate or embassy (if living overseas)

Steps:

1. Download and complete Form PC7 from the Australian Passport Office website
2. Gather all required documents (see above)
3. Have your passport photo taken (or bring a compliant photo)
4. Ask your guarantor to sign the back of one photo and complete their section of the form
5. Attend your appointment at Australia Post or an Australian Passport Office
6. Submit your documents and pay the fee
7. Receive your passport by post (typically 4–6 weeks)

How Much Does a First Australian Passport Cost?

Fees are approximate — check the Australian Passport Office website for current fees.

How Long Does a First Passport Take?

• Standard: 4–6 weeks
• Priority: 5–10 business days (additional fee)
• Urgent: 2–3 business days (additional fee, requires evidence of travel)

Apply at least 6–8 weeks before any planned travel. During peak periods (school holidays, summer), processing times may be longer.

Getting Your Passport Photo

Your passport photo must comply with DFAT's strict requirements:

• 45 mm × 35 mm (portrait)
• Head 32–36 mm from chin to crown
• Plain white or very light grey background
• Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
• No glasses
• Colour photograph
• Taken within the last 6 months

You can get a DFAT-compliant passport photo from home in minutes — no post office queue required. Upload a photo on your phone, our AI crops and adjusts it, and we deliver a compliant digital file and print-ready PDF by email.

Get your Australian passport photo from A$17.99 →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for an Australian passport online for the first time?

No — first-time applicants must appear in-person at Australia Post or an Australian Passport Office location. Renewals for eligible applicants can be done online.

Do I need to provide original documents?

Yes — original documents are required, not photocopies. They will be returned to you after processing.

What if I was born overseas to Australian parents?

You can still apply as an Australian citizen by descent. You'll need your parents' Australian passports and your foreign birth certificate, plus a Certificate of Australian Citizenship if you have one.