Australian Passport
Australian Passport
Australian citizens are entitled to apply for an Australian passport issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). For citizens by descent, citizenship must be registered with the Department of Home Affairs and a Certificate of Australian Citizenship obtained before a passport can be issued. A passport application is a separate process from a citizenship application.
Australian passport — who is eligible
Any Australian citizen is entitled to apply for an Australian passport. The passport is issued by the Australian Passport Office within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, not by the Department of Home Affairs. A citizenship application and a passport application are entirely separate processes managed by different government agencies.
For citizens by conferral, a passport can be applied for at any time after citizenship is conferred at a ceremony. For citizens by descent, the citizenship registration must be completed with the Department of Home Affairs first. The Certificate of Australian Citizenship issued following registration is then used to support the passport application.
When an Australian citizen holds a permanent resident visa and then becomes a citizen, the permanent resident visa ceases to have effect. The person no longer requires any visa to be in Australia. They may travel on an Australian passport and return to Australia without needing a Resident Return Visa or any other re-entry authority.
Key points
Citizenship by descent — registration first
A person who acquired citizenship by descent cannot apply for an Australian passport until their citizenship has been formally registered with the Department of Home Affairs and a Certificate of Australian Citizenship has been issued.
DFAT issues the passport, not the DHA
The Australian passport is issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Applications are made through the Australian Passport Office. The Department of Home Affairs handles citizenship, not passports.
No visa required after citizenship
Once citizenship is conferred, the Australian citizen's permanent resident visa ceases. They no longer need a visa to enter or remain in Australia and can travel on an Australian passport indefinitely.
Dual passport holders
Australia permits dual citizenship. Australian citizens may hold passports from other countries simultaneously, provided the other country also permits this. Australian citizens must use an Australian passport to enter and depart Australia.
DFAT
Issues Australian passports
10 years
Standard adult passport validity
Register first
Required for descent applicants
No RRV needed
Citizens re-enter on passport
Why instruct Visa Plan?
Descent registration before passport
We manage the full citizenship by descent registration process with the Department of Home Affairs so the Certificate of Australian Citizenship is issued and ready to support the passport application with DFAT.
Citizenship status confirmation
Where there is uncertainty about whether a person is an Australian citizen, we confirm their citizenship status through the correct legal pathway before any passport application is submitted.
Transition from permanent residence
When a permanent resident becomes a citizen, their visa status changes automatically. We advise on the transition from permanent residence to citizenship and ensure the person understands their re-entry rights as a citizen.
Australian passport information is sourced from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Home Affairs and is current as at 13 May 2026. Passport application requirements and processes are subject to change. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.