Guest The Pom Queen Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 AUSTRALIANS may no longer be able to apply for a passport at the Post Office. Australia Post’s contract with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is due to expire at the end of June 2017 and the Federal Government is looking at alternative providers. According to The Advertiser, the government is expecting a surge in passport applications, from 1.8 million in 2014-15 to 3 million by 2019. Enhanced online services have been flagged as a possible solution to deal with the huge increase. Those living in cities could be forced to travel up to 20km for passport interviews and those in the country may visit mobile shopfronts. If Australia Post’s contract was not renewed, it would be another blow for the company, which is already struggling to adapt to the shift to digitalisation. Passport interviews at the post office take between seven and nine minutes, including time needed to take photos. Last year more than 90 per cent of standard applications were processed within 10 days. The government is also considering the introduction of passport-free travel to New Zealand with both countries able to use virtual “cloud passports”. “Australia Post is the largest provider of trusted services for business and government in Australia,” Australia Post spokeswoman Michelle Skehan told news.com.au. “We have been providing passport services for the federal government for more than 30 years across our national Post Office network. “Providing these types of valuable services for our customers is essential for the long-term sustainability of the local Post Office. Many of these Post Offices are run by small business owners, especially in regional and remote Australia.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
movingback Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Ha, I'm actually waiting in line now at the post office to pick up my passport! It would be a shame if they discontinued the service, seems like the quickest and most efficient way to me. Especially in rural areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bencrom81 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Ha, I'm actually waiting in line now at the post office to pick up my passport! It would be a shame if they discontinued the service, seems like the quickest and most efficient way to me. Especially in rural areas. jammy bugger. are you straight to kingsford smith or having second thoughts about leaving now? looking forward to getting mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Our experience was great at Aus post, it would be a shame if it went elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LKC Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Oh, that's a shame. We had a relatively hassle-free experience with AusPost when we had ours done (apart from my passport photo making me look like a sleep-deprived psychopath!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
movingback Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 jammy bugger. are you straight to kingsford smith or having second thoughts about leaving now? looking forward to getting mine. Feels great to be 'done.' I do have second thoughts occasionally but the plan is still be back by early July Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parley Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 I don't think they will do it. It is more likely that they will take on more things from government departments like Centrelink, Medicare etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjlawton73 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 If you get the passport photos at the Post Office when you submit the application, who endorses them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
movingback Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 If you get the passport photos at the Post Office when you submit the application, who endorses them? I was wondering this too...I had mine done at the PO but then had to go back the next day to lodge the application after getting them endorsed. Would only work if your (endorser?) went along with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisawright Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 If you get the passport photos at the Post Office when you submit the application, who endorses them? Two separate visits, unless your endorser can come to the post office with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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