Given we aren’t allowed overseas for the last 14 months and likely at least another 6 months, I’d be interested to see if the government waves or discounts passport renewals..... I probably know the answer but would be interested to hear peoples thoughts.
Before you let your passport expire it is a good idea to check if you will need to provide more documents once it is expired. I think this is the case with UK passports.
Might I also suggest that leaving renewals until travel re-opens could cause a delay in the process. If everyone does this there will be a spike in demand which officials will be unable to deal with. I also suspect that this will be true for visitors seeking new Visas to Australia.
If you grew up in an immigrant family, as I did, you know that you always, always, always have a current passport with 6 months validity, because who knows what the future holds or what potential emergencies may arise, even in spite of pandemic travel restrictions?
Granted, mine doesn't expire until 2024 anyway, but if it were expiring now I'd be queuing up to renew it, just as usual. Who (on this site with its usual socioeconomic demographic) cares about the extra $30 for a year?
I too thought that I would let mine lapse when the time came but when I received what I thought was a joke DFAT text in April advising it had, I couldn’t renew it fast enough! The thought of reproducing all that paperwork later was too much. And whilst I dream of exemptions, I will be fully vaxxed next week so I definitely plan on being on an international flight ASAP! When Alan calls me for a Project Sunrise test flight, I’m ready to roll 😂😂 At the v least I plan to keep my P1 status as long as possible!
Isnt it better to not bother renewing? Mine expired in Feb....no point in paying for a new one until i can actually use it.
You'll pay the same but will need to produce more ID - renewing with an un-expired PP is pretty simple but getting yr 100 points of other ID (think thats the case) is more effort. Also - imagine how many PPs expired in the last 18 months. So when borders open up, how many will suddenly apply for a renewal and how long will that take..
The government could take the opportunity of reduced passport demand to innovate the passport process. The continuous price rises that don't offset the actual government's costs cannot continue. I'm afraid I have to disagree with those that say the passport is only $30 a year; it is $300 now, which, if invested in crypto, could be nothing in 10 years or a lot of money. I have just renewed my passport due to my family being overseas. The renewal only took a visit to 3 post offices; luckily, I don't value my time or the $301 would be the least of it.
Might I also suggest that leaving renewals until travel re-opens could cause a delay in the process. If everyone does this there will be a spike in demand which officials will be unable to deal with. I also suspect that this will be true for visitors seeking new Visas to Australia.
Literally renewed mine last week to avoid expiry & enduring the more arduous new passport process. It was about $300 and my previous 64 page version is no longer available.
Lmc
Lmc
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 Nov 2018
Total posts 48
Given we aren’t allowed overseas for the last 14 months and likely at least another 6 months, I’d be interested to see if the government waves or discounts passport renewals..... I probably know the answer but would be interested to hear peoples thoughts.
jrfsp
jrfsp
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 Mar 2014
Total posts 105
Isnt it better to not bother renewing? Mine expired in Feb....no point in paying for a new one until i can actually use it.
anonymous
anonymous
Member since 24 Dec 2013
Total posts 159
Buy a ticket to NZ if you want to get some value out of your passport.
PERflyer
PERflyer
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 15 Aug 2017
Total posts 47
Mine expires next month. Will not be renewing until there is a roadmap to travel.
John Phelan
John Phelan
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Oct 2011
Total posts 261
Passports are not "pay per use". Just wait until we can travel freely again before renewing.
GoRobin
GoRobin
Member since 07 May 2020
Total posts 113
Before you let your passport expire it is a good idea to check if you will need to provide more documents once it is expired. I think this is the case with UK passports.
Phil Young
Phil Young
Qantas
Member since 22 Oct 2012
Total posts 253
For all those delaying renewing their passport due to the cost, keep in mind that it costs a mere $30 a year.
David H
David H
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
Member since 15 Mar 2019
Total posts 6
Might I also suggest that leaving renewals until travel re-opens could cause a delay in the process. If everyone does this there will be a spike in demand which officials will be unable to deal with. I also suspect that this will be true for visitors seeking new Visas to Australia.
ajd
ajd
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 27 Nov 2014
Total posts 24
If you grew up in an immigrant family, as I did, you know that you always, always, always have a current passport with 6 months validity, because who knows what the future holds or what potential emergencies may arise, even in spite of pandemic travel restrictions?
Granted, mine doesn't expire until 2024 anyway, but if it were expiring now I'd be queuing up to renew it, just as usual. Who (on this site with its usual socioeconomic demographic) cares about the extra $30 for a year?
Janeblogs
Janeblogs
Member since 27 Nov 2016
Total posts 15
I too thought that I would let mine lapse when the time came but when I received what I thought was a joke DFAT text in April advising it had, I couldn’t renew it fast enough! The thought of reproducing all that paperwork later was too much. And whilst I dream of exemptions, I will be fully vaxxed next week so I definitely plan on being on an international flight ASAP! When Alan calls me for a Project Sunrise test flight, I’m ready to roll 😂😂 At the v least I plan to keep my P1 status as long as possible!
Tasclean
Tasclean
Member since 29 Feb 2016
Total posts 26
Originally Posted by jrfsp
Isnt it better to not bother renewing? Mine expired in Feb....no point in paying for a new one until i can actually use it.
You'll pay the same but will need to produce more ID - renewing with an un-expired PP is pretty simple but getting yr 100 points of other ID (think thats the case) is more effort. Also - imagine how many PPs expired in the last 18 months. So when borders open up, how many will suddenly apply for a renewal and how long will that take..
AnyLounge
AnyLounge
Member since 18 Sep 2018
Total posts 2
The government could take the opportunity of reduced passport demand to innovate the passport process. The continuous price rises that don't offset the actual government's costs cannot continue. I'm afraid I have to disagree with those that say the passport is only $30 a year; it is $300 now, which, if invested in crypto, could be nothing in 10 years or a lot of money. I have just renewed my passport due to my family being overseas. The renewal only took a visit to 3 post offices; luckily, I don't value my time or the $301 would be the least of it.
bgs001127
bgs001127
Member since 12 Aug 2019
Total posts 6
Originally Posted by Phil Young
For all those delaying renewing their passport due to the cost, keep in mind that it costs a mere $30 a year.
bgs001127
bgs001127
Member since 12 Aug 2019
Total posts 6
Originally Posted by David H
Might I also suggest that leaving renewals until travel re-opens could cause a delay in the process. If everyone does this there will be a spike in demand which officials will be unable to deal with. I also suspect that this will be true for visitors seeking new Visas to Australia.
GCC05
GCC05
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 27 Nov 2017
Total posts 3
Literally renewed mine last week to avoid expiry & enduring the more arduous new passport process. It was about $300 and my previous 64 page version is no longer available.