Australian Passport Renewal in New Zealand

Considering how close the countries are to each other physically and in other respects, such as travel policy, renewing Australian passports in New Zealand is a common concern. Learn how to do it here.

Table of contents

• How to renew an Australian passport in New Zealand?
• Documents required for Australian passport renewal overseas
• Australian passport photo requirements
• Get an Australian passport photo online!
• Who can be a guarantor for a passport renewal?
• How much does it cost to renew my Australian passport in New Zealand?
• When to renew my Australian passport?

How to renew an Australian passport in New Zealand?

Two ways to renew your Australian passport in New Zealand are by mail and by appointment.

To be eligible to renew by mail, you must be over 18 and hold a passport that:

• was issued when you were aged 16 or older;
• was issued on or after 1 January 2006;
• had, when it was issued, at least two years’ validity;
• has your current name, date of birth, place of birth and gender;
• has not been reported lost, stolen, or cancelled.

To apply by mail, start by filling out the form online and sending your application and documents to the required address in Auckland or Wellington, depending on where you reside.

You can only renew by appointment if you do not fulfil at least one of the above eligibility requirements. To do so, contact the Australian High Commission in Wellington or the Consulate in Auckland, depending on where you reside.

Documents required for Australian passport renewal overseas

Here are the documents you will need:

• Two passport photos fulfilling requirements;
• Your application form;
• All supporting documents are requested on the application form. Renewals usually need fewer documents, but a general rule is to have identity documents and proof of citizenship ready.

Australian passport photo requirements

Make sure that your photos satisfy these parameters:

• The picture must be in colour and of good quality. The lighting and contrast must be even. No blurred, pixelated, or otherwise distorted photos may be accepted;
• The photo background must be white;
• The photo size is 35mm to 40mm in width and 45mm to 50mm in length;
• The height of your head in the picture (from crown to chin) should be about 35 mm;
• The photos may not be printed using an inkjet printer;
• Your face must be fully visible, and your eyes must look straight into the camera. Keep a neutral facial expression;
• Your face must be centred in the picture;
• Hearing aids are allowed if used regularly;
• Headwear should only be for religious or medical purposes. They should not obscure facial features.

Here is an example:

Get an Australian passport photo online!

Make sure your photos are fully compliant by using Visafoto, an online service that’s been processing passport and visa photos since 2013. We’ll adjust your photos to all the needed parameters and provide a template ready for printing so you can focus on other aspects of the application.

Just upload a portrait of you taken in good lighting, with a proper dress code, and correctly posed, with any background. Visafoto will take care of the rest.

First, take a photo of yours under daylight like this one:

You will have two types of photos: a digital one for electronic applications and another one suitable for printing.

Here they are:

Who can be a guarantor for a passport renewal?

A guarantor is needed to confirm your identity. This is usually applicable for first-time applications or renewals that count as “first-time” (for example, in the case of lost passports).

A guarantor must be:

• Someone with a current and valid Australian passport, or
• A person of any nationality who’s employed in an approved occupational group. To understand who qualifies, check with the High Commission or Consulate.

However, they cannot be your relative of any kind, be in a de facto relationship with you, or live together with you (at the same address). As for children’s guarantors, the disqualifier widens: the guarantor may not be related to, be in a de facto relationship with, or live together with both the applying child and those who have parental responsibility for the child.

How much does it cost to renew my Australian passport in New Zealand?

The fees applicable in New Zealand are consistent with other overseas applications.

These are the standard Australian passport fees:

• 10 – year validity passport (for persons aged 16 and over): AU$308;
• 5 - year validity passport (for children under 16 and optional for persons 75 and over): AU$155.

Besides the passport fees, overseas surcharges apply. These fees are:

• AU$138 for adults;
• AU$67 for children.

When to renew my Australian passport?

As an Australian on foreign turf, your passport is a key document. As passport renewals can take 6 weeks and sometimes even more in cases of overseas applications, make sure that you’re applying on time and do not let your passport expire. Furthermore, you will not be eligible to apply for renewal if your passport has expired for more than three years.