How do I get an emergency passport?

Visit dfat.gov.au to help you find the nearest Australian diplomatic or consular mission. Go to the office, prove your identity, pay the fees and wait for your emergency passport to arrive.

Will travel insurance cover my expenses?

If your passport has been stolen overseas, you'll likely be covered for the cost of its replacement. This can even extend out to fraud related expenses. However if it's simply been misplaced or you can't prove that you've taken due care, you might not be covered.

What's the difference between an emergency passport and a replacement passport?

If you're overseas, you can only get an emergency passport. These have a 12 month validity and don't have a chip. This also means that a select few countries may not accept it. You can get a replacement passport when your existing passport hasn't been lost, stolen or damaged, and is still valid. You might need a replacement passport if you've legally changed your name or looks significantly different in your original passport photo.

Will travel insurance cover an expired passport?

Unfortunately not. Most travel insurers won't cover you if you've failed to take due diligence. Same goes for visa requirements and other travel documents.

What if I had a visa in my passport?

If you were unlucky enough to have had a foreign visa in your passport when it was lost or stolen, the Australian Government cannot help you with a replacement. You will need to contact the nearest embassy or consulate for the country that issued the visa to inquire about replacement procedures. You might be able to claim visa expenses on your travel insurance.