Australia Post Charged for Copies for Passport Application

chloden on 03/09/2016 - 12:39

Yesterday I attended an interview at a local post office to submit passport applications for my two daughters. When I got back to my car I had a glance at the receipt and noticed that it ended in 20c. I had a closer look and saw a charge for 4 x photocopies at 30c each. As I have renewed passports for myself and family more times than I can remember I knew that this was not the "norm". I called Aus post and was told that I should not have been charged for these copies. Before I get any replies that it is only $1.20 I know that and it clearly is insignificant to the cost, but, if he is charging everyone that applies for a passport then this could amount to hundreds if not thousands a year, furthermore he is charging more than the copies cost him. I have made a formal complaint and will see what the outcome is.

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Comments

  • niner on 03/09/2016 - 12:54

    Australia Post was losing customers at a certain time, because of a decline in people sending letters and the emergence of Toll/DB Schenker/DHL. They've had to find other ways of making a profit.
    I live in the city and Australia Post+Startrack are very reliable. I don't think it's a big deal they charge you money for the photocopies. Maybe you should photocopy them yourself next time.

  • hell0 on 03/09/2016 - 12:57
    +6

    Well, doing the maths, let's say he is making 'thousands of dollars' per year on this… let's say $5000… which means he is doing 4166 applications a year… Then we take account that they might be open 6 out of 7 days…. so 305 days a year… So on average you think they do close to 14 passport applications per opening day? Wow, that's a busy post office.

    I do hope you take the fight right to the top!

  • whooah1979 on 03/09/2016 - 13:01

    I called Aus post and was told that I should not have been charged for these copies.

    Was this at lpo or post shop? If former, then i see no reason why they shouldn't charge a fee for providing a photocopy of the application form.

  • frankiedood on 03/09/2016 - 13:01

    other countries charge you for more than $20 for just the application form.. and i think this $1.20 goes to the immigration and some of it goes to the post.. cant you do it online? at the end of the day it doesnt matter how much they charge it will probably end up in tax.

  • whooah1979 on 03/09/2016 - 13:03
    +2

    furthermore he is charging more than the copies cost him.

    Do you mean that businesses should only operate at cost? It sounds like a great way to go broke.

  • airzone on 03/09/2016 - 13:04

    They have been charging for copies for over 10 years. But you might have gotten lucky and found someone who didn't bother.

    • juventino on 03/09/2016 - 18:30
      +1

      But I dont care. The PO I go to is free of charge. Everywhere else should follow suit. Yeah, I'm putting words into OP's mouth haha

      • whooah1979 on 03/09/2016 - 18:46

        The PO I go to is free of charge. Everywhere else should follow suit.

        They don't charge a fee because they like to work for free.

  • coco1458 on 03/09/2016 - 14:29

    I did mine in July, as far as I know, there shouldn't be any additional costs other than the price of the passport. Photocopies of any documents aren't charged as far as I know
    Although if you want a photocopy of your application, I do believe it's charged but I never bother. I just take the tracking number provided on the application

  • iscooljoey2 on 03/09/2016 - 14:40

    Franchised ones can charge for this service but not ones owned by AusPost themselves. They can also choose the price they charge.

  • tooblue on 03/09/2016 - 14:59

    I thought someone sued Australian Post of breaching privacy law by making copies of passport application form.

  • Colombian on 03/09/2016 - 17:10
    -2

    Apply online? Do you have time to come to ozbargain to complain about a bad service but not to make an application for Australian passport?

  • fossilfuel on 03/09/2016 - 22:05

    My local post office charges for photocopies. That has been the norm for a long time. They do stick a big piece of paper on their photocopier (30c per black and white copy) but sometimes they don't disclose it to customers.

    I was in line one time to submit a passport application and I witnessed the post office lady telling another customer that he needed 2 more copies for a passport application. He said ok and she went ahead with the photocopies then charged him. He calmly told the lady that she never disclosed that there were charges and refused to pay. Luckily she was understanding and scrapped the charges but I'm wondering whether they're doing that intentionally.

  • PcisT on 03/09/2016 - 22:48

    You cannot assume photocopying is free. Any business would and should have the right to charge—it takes up staff time.

  • Gershom on 04/09/2016 - 09:47
    -2

    Really? $1.20? I suggest you take it all the way to the supreme Court. Or plan B, get a ……..

  • thefreelunch on 04/09/2016 - 22:48
    -1

    A few comments here suggest Australia Post should be viewed like any profit making ASX-listed business. Its not (although its CEO is paid like one).

    "Australia Post is a self-funded government business enterprise with the Australian Government as the sole shareholder. As required under the Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989, we continue to balance our commercial objectives with the need to meet our community service obligations (CSOs).
    The profit we earn is used to pay a dividend to our shareholder, and to reinvest in our assets and services so that we are equipped to meet the changing needs of our customers. Our commercial success therefore ensures we can positively impact the communities we serve, and continue to improve the products and services we provide."

  • peteru on 05/09/2016 - 20:14

    There is no escaping this charge. The passport office requires a verified copy of some documents and by far the simplest and cheapest way to obtain that copy is to let the person at the post office make a photocopy and witness it at the time of the application. Given all the other expenses associated with passports and travel, this is one of those items where the best attitude is to say, "Meh!" and move on.

    • SirFlibbled on 06/09/2016 - 08:59
      -1

      The Post office uses electronic verification methods now.

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