The right comparison is the total cost of getting your passport back, not just the government application fee. Below, we explain the current fees, the extras to allow for when applying yourself, and what you get through ASAP. If you already have a deadline, find the right passport service.
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British Passport Fees From Australia in 2026
These are the government fees for standard overseas applications, effective from 8 April 2026. Adult fees apply from age 16; child fees apply under 16.
| Passport | Online application | Paper application |
|---|---|---|
| Adult standard 34-page passport | £116.50 | £130 |
| Child standard 34-page passport | £75.50 | £89 |
| Adult 54-page frequent traveller passport | £130.50 | £144 |
| Child 54-page frequent traveller passport | £89.50 | £103 |
Source: HM Passport Office overseas passport fees. These figures exclude applicable delivery charges and are charged in pounds sterling.
The standard government fee does not increase simply because you are applying for a first passport rather than renewing or replacing one. The adult online overseas fee was previously £108; the April 2026 fee increase brought it to £116.50.
These are British passport fees, not Australian passport fees. If you are arranging a child passport from overseas, also distinguish a first application from a renewal: the government fee may be the same, but the evidence and ASAP service are different. Check the current government fee before paying.
Extra Costs on Top of the British Passport Fee in Australia
When applying directly, allow for delivery and any costs involved in preparing your documents. Through ASAP, the government passport fee and the courier journey are already included in your service fee.
Courier and postage
HM Passport Office lists £14.32 for standard international passport delivery and another £14.32 for returning supporting documents where applicable. If both charges apply, that is £28.64, bringing a standard adult online application to £145.14.
Check the delivery total shown for your own application. These return charges should not be confused with the cost of sending your existing passport or certificates from Australia to the UK, which you may also need to arrange when applying yourself.
With ASAP, courier collection, secure air freight and return delivery are included. You do not add a separate government fee or postage bill to the advertised service price.
Passport photos
You may be able to take a suitable digital photograph yourself, or you can pay a photographer. Check that the option you buy meets UK digital passport photo rules; a photograph sold for an Australian passport is not automatically the right product for a British application.
For an online application, the important thing is having a compliant digital image or an accepted photo code—not simply a set of printed pictures. If you use a photographer, ask what is included before paying. Prices vary, so there is no single photo charge to add to every Australian application.
Currency conversion and card fees
The amount charged in Australian dollars depends on your card provider's exchange rate and any foreign transaction fee.
For example, the Reserve Bank of Australia rate for 15 October 2026 was £0.5252 per A$1. At that reference rate, £145.14 would be about A$276.35, before bank or card fees. That is an illustration, not a payment quote or a rate your bank promises to use.
A separately itemised card payment processing fee may apply at ASAP checkout. It is shown before payment and is separate from the service fee; it is not an additional government or courier charge.
Replacement certificates
First applications may involve ordering certificates you no longer have. Depending on your circumstances, these could come from an Australian state or territory registry, the General Register Office for England and Wales, or the relevant Scottish or Northern Irish authority.
Order the document that proves the required link, rather than buying several certificates and hoping one will do. The GOV.UK certificate-ordering service covers England and Wales and links to the other UK jurisdictions.
ASAP can help identify missing evidence and obtain replacement certificates where possible. Any additional certificate-retrieval cost is quoted before ordering.
Does a First British Passport Cost More Than a Renewal From Australia?
The standard HM Passport Office fee is the same for the same age group, passport size and application method. A first passport can nevertheless cost more to organise if you need certificates, translations or other supporting evidence. It is not automatically more expensive for every applicant.
The difference is the work needed to establish the application. A renewal can draw on an existing passport record. Someone who has never held a British passport may need documents connecting their identity, their parent and the basis of their British citizenship.
Through ASAP, a first adult passport is £1,499, including government charges and courier collection and return. The estimate is around four weeks, best endeavours, not a guaranteed turnaround. See our first British passport service from Australia.
A very old passport can also need more evidence. GOV.UK directs adults whose last passport was issued before 1 January 1994 to the first-adult application route. That does not mean their citizenship has expired. Our very old UK passport service explains how we assess the passport history before recommending the service.
Applying Yourself vs Using a Passport Service From Australia
If keeping the financial cost down is your priority, applying directly to HM Passport Office avoids a separate service fee. For a straightforward adult online application, the government fee is £116.50, with delivery and preparation costs to allow for.
You can apply from overseas on GOV.UK. You are responsible for completing the application, arranging the required documents and postage, and responding to any requests for more information. Do not assume a processing estimate for applications made within the UK also applies to Australia.
ASAP is for people who want the process taken care of from overseas, particularly when a travel date makes timing important or the paperwork needs careful attention. We check the evidence and photograph, arrange collection, handle the UK-side application process and return the passport to your address.
The ASAP prices below include the government passport charges, courier collection, secure air freight and return delivery. They are not a service fee to which those costs must be added.
| ASAP passport service | Service fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| VIP adult renewal | £999 | 2 weeks or less, guaranteed, where eligible |
| Gold renewal | £799 | 3 weeks or less, guaranteed, where eligible |
| Child renewal | £799 | 3 weeks or less, guaranteed, where eligible |
| First adult passport | £1,499 | Around 4 weeks, best endeavours |
| First child passport | £1,499 | Around 4 weeks, best endeavours |
VIP is for adult renewals only and is advertised for eligible applicants whose last UK passport was issued after 2002. Older passport records, a change of name, or a lost or damaged passport may require a different service. We confirm the appropriate option rather than treating every application as a two-week renewal.
For a renewal from Australia, see our express British passport renewal service. The full price list also covers replacements, name changes and very old passports.
How the turnaround guarantee works
For an eligible guaranteed service, the clock starts when DHL Express collects your complete and correct document pack, including your existing passport where required—not when you pay.
Under the published terms, the guarantee runs to the first attempted delivery at your nominated address. If we miss that deadline, you receive a refund of the service fee, excluding a separately itemised card processing fee. The terms explain the limited circumstances in which the clock can pause, including delays caused by incomplete information or events beyond our reasonable control.
First adult and first child applications are best endeavours and are not covered by that turnaround guarantee. HM Passport Office decides whether to issue a passport; ASAP cannot guarantee approval. Read the guarantee terms before ordering.
Which option makes sense for you?
If your renewal is straightforward, your documents are ready and you have ample time, applying directly may suit you.
If you have a deadline, want someone to check the paperwork before submission, or do not want to organise the process yourself, speak to ASAP. Tell us your departure date before choosing a service. The useful question is not just “What does the passport cost?” but “Which option fits the time and help I need?”
Find Out What Your British Passport Will Cost
Use the passport service finder to see the service and price that fit your situation before you pay. If you are unsure about your evidence or an old passport, send an enquiry first.
You can also contact the team on 0800 774 7666. From Australia, try +44 800 774 7666; international access to UK freephone numbers depends on your provider, so use the contact page if it will not connect.