Media release from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
D8
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is pleased to announce the introduction
of a new priority travel document service from 1 July 2002.
The new service will enable all types of travel documents (including passports)
to be issued within two working days (48 hours) of all necessary information
reaching the passport office. The priority service will guarantee a swift
service to Australians with an urgent need to travel. However, the turnaround
time for the issue of a standard travel document will remain at 10 working
days.
The cost of the priority service will be $60 per travel document (in addition
to the usual fee) and will initially be offered to clients who need to travel
within three weeks of lodgement of their application or to clients who can
demonstrate special circumstances at interview.
If the guaranteed service level of two working days is not met for reasons
within the control of the passport office, clients can seek a refund of the
$60 fee. Australians can also seek a refund in certain compassionate circumstances.
For further information about this service, please call the Australian
Passport Information Service on 131 2 32.