Has Anyone Lodged an Aus Passport Renewal During COVID?

Lsjj89 on 07/10/2020 - 16:54

I might need to head to NZ on Oct 29 for work if the NZ/SA travel bubble is bi-directional by then, and I'm renewing my passport tomorrow Oct 8th.

It's exactly 3 weeks from my potential intended date of departure, which is the estimated turn around. Normally.

Has anyone done a renewal during COVID? I figure turnaround would be substantially faster than usual as passport applications would be at an all time low.

I'm trying my best to avoid the extra $218 priority processing fee if I can.

Thoughts? Experiences?

Travel

Comments

  • justaperson on 07/10/2020 - 17:08
    +3

    I can't imagine there'll be a huge backlog of any kind, since people wouldn't be renewing simply due to the fact that travel is not in any way easy at the moment.

  • epkh on 07/10/2020 - 17:10

    I don't have experience with passport recently but the immigration department has suffered serious delays (currently processing my wife's visa) due to corona, for whatever reason. Would have thought it to be faster due to less migration.

    So it might not be as you think.

    • [Deactivated] on 07/10/2020 - 22:41
      +1

      Different set of dependencies when renewing a passport of an Australian citizen I would think. I imagine that this process is largely automated.

    • bobbified on 07/10/2020 - 23:18
      +1

      ..immigration department has suffered serious delays due to corona..

      The "serious delays" are not due to corona. That's just how the immigration department is. It's ridiculous and no other company or service would be able to get away with these sorts of delays.

    • lgacb08 on 10/10/2020 - 09:52

      Passports are handled by department of foreign affairs not immigration, so the two are totally unrelated.

  • jimbobaus on 07/10/2020 - 17:19
    +3

    Lowest historic number of Passport applications and renewals.
    Department staff working on other government projects

    Your application will be processed fast you can count on that

  • diazepam on 07/10/2020 - 19:17
    +1

    I have. Needed for identification and I thought we’d be allowed to travel by the end of the year… clearly not.
    Took about 5 or 6 business days for me.
    Others have reported similar times: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/534711

  • bloom on 07/10/2020 - 19:25

    Mine arrived in 2 days, crazy quick

  • No Username on 07/10/2020 - 20:34

    Did mine in April and got it in a week.

  • vbph2k16 on 07/10/2020 - 20:46

    Same here. I applied my 8 months old Son an Aus passport and within a week I got it delivered at Home by Auspost.

  • Orico on 07/10/2020 - 21:50

    It always takes 2 weeks for me regardless when I do it. Yes, I renew a lot. Diplomatic passport, government work etc.

  • raptormesh on 07/10/2020 - 22:39

    Got it in a week, suspect not many applications now so the turnaround time is quick.

  • chinawa111 on 08/10/2020 - 00:04

    Paid the extra $218 priority fee just 2 weeks ago. Got it in 3 days confirmed.

  • sagrules on 08/10/2020 - 08:01

    Just make sure you put your travel dates on the passport application and they will get it to you before then. Could put it earlier just in case if worried.

  • Save 50 Cent on 10/10/2020 - 22:17

    Submitted a new passport application (not renewal) last week. Finalised in 3 days. Just waiting for Auspost to deliver now.
    If you can collect it in person, then that would be much safer as I wouldn’t trust Auspost to deliver in time.

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