Application for an Australian Passport - CHILD / save on passport photo (DIY)

How to apply for a Child Australian Passport and DIY passport photo ID

First, you need a 2 Australian passport photo

Options how to get your passport photo:

1. Photo ID booth  (this is not applicable for child/infant)

2. Go straight to AustPost as they also do passport ID services but for infant/toddler maybe difficult to  they take photo as their facility is limited. Most of the time they only have a white background they they roll up and down and you need to stand up while your photo is taken or some have a white background in the corner of the shop where you can seat while your photo is taken.

Imagine if its a child/infant/toddler that you want to take photo in that condition plus most of the time they just want to finish the job as quickly as possible so the quality of photo are not that great.

Remember that photo will be use for your passport and last for 5 years.

3. Go to a professional photography studio. This will cost you more depending on the type of studio
- I tried going to a studio around the corner and it was a disappointment as the child was not cooperating well at that time and under pressure to decided on the best photo taken. When you look again at the photo you decided you don't want to use the photo for the passport thinking passport last for 5 years.


This made me think to do-it-myself


4. DIY passport photo ID

 Advantage:
- I can take as much photo as I want (using digital camera) and choose the photo that I am satisfied with plus I keep those other cute photos I took.
- If the child/toddler is not on the mood for photo shoot, I can do it on some other time until I am satisfied with the photo. No pressure.
- Lastly it is cheap to printout the photo. Cost about 10 cents (4x6 in / 8 copies) at OfficeWorks

Overall, it cost me time and 10 cents for the passport ID and satisfaction of the photo that will be used on the passport.


Before I try to printout a template and manually edit the photo in Photoshop to meet the passport ID requirements but now I found this website that you just need to upload the photo and select the country of passport you want to create.

Click PassportPhoto4you to create your own passport size photo online for FREE 

Save the photo in USB drive and go to Officeworks to print out the photo 4x6 in which cost around 10 cents ( 8 copies)

Cut it out and verify the measurement meets the Australian passport photo requirements (size of the passport photo and the size of the face)

Now I have the passport photo ID.

Time to fill up the passport application form.

* TWO option to fill up the application form
1. Go to Australia POST to get the passport application form and fill it up (handwriting)
2. Fill up the form online and print it out

- I prefer to fill up the form online and print it out to eliminate handwriting problems.
- You can go back and edit/modify
- You can save it as pdf file for future reference

Follow the instruction to fill up the application online and print it out.
https://www.passports.gov.au/Web/Forms/EntryPoint.aspx

- They will also send you an email on how to track the progress of your passport application

Now time to look for a guarantor/witness
- make sure the guarantor / witness meets the requirements stated in the application form

Question 11 needs to be fill up by the guarantor and also to witness the parents signature

Now we have two passport photo ID (one ID is signed by the guarantor) and a completed application form.

Time to call AusPost for an appointment regarding your passport application.

You can make appointment online on your preferred AusPost office.
http://auspost.com.au/travel-id/apply-for-a-new-australian-passport.html

Bring the following on the day of your appointment:
- Fill up / signed application form
- Two passport photo ID (one sign by the guarantor)
- original and photocopy of your evidences

Note: I notice that they normally increase fees every January.
- Apply by December to avoid increase on fees

Child passport application fee:
2014 = $113
2015 = $125 

Track the progress of your passport using the FORM NUMBER
https://www.passports.gov.au/Web/Appl/ApplEntryPoint.aspx

Ordinary application takes about 3 weeks.