Significant passport changes could save you valuable time - Find out details here!
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Everyone knows how troublesome passport renewals are – taking time out of your day to wait in long queues and fill in forms can be exhausting.
But good news is in the air as the Australian government has finally announced its plans to roll out a digital solution to streamline the passport renewal process.
Australians will soon be able to renew their passports online as the Federal Government announces major changes to how it handles its official documents.
According to reports, the government will allow digital statutory declarations and deeds in all states to streamline not only passport renewals but also electoral roll registration.
This means no more dreaded visits to the post office with heaps of paperwork signed in person by Justices of the Peace for those wanting a new passport.
Instead, Aussies can now confirm their identity through the Australian Tax Office’s myGovID app.
To set up your myGovID, you’ll need to:
You can learn more about how to set up your myGovID on the government website.
However, if going online is not an option, you can call the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at 131 232 to get a pre-filled form sent to you. Renewal forms are not currently available at Australia Post.
Currently, each state and territory have different passport renewal systems.
For instance, in NSW, Queensland and Victoria, deeds and agreements may be executed electronically. But individuals cannot execute deeds electronically in the ACT, the Northern Territory, and South Australia. However, they are allowed to enforce agreements electronically.
But with this new system, individuals will be allowed to use digital signatures (or e-signatures) to countersign electronic documents once it is incorporated into the myGov website and app.
These changes also make sense financially.
Small businesses will be able to use the new digital statutory declarations and deeds, which are predicted to save $400 million a year in direct costs while speeding up systems.
Accenture modelling has found over 4.5 million deeds and more than 3.8 million statutory declarations completed yearly by small and medium enterprises and consumers. The modelling also found that it adds about six million and nine million hours, respectively, to printing and filling out, signing, and physically witnessing their execution. That’s around 625,000 days or 1700 years' worth of paperwork!
According to reports, a deregulation task force set up by the federal government said the move would ‘dramatically’ expand the myGov portal, which currently only offers 15 services.
This task force recommended adding passport renewal and electoral roll registration to myGov as a priority, but it requires a ‘uniform system’ approved by all states and territories.
The government started temporarily moving some of the centuries-old practice of ‘wet ink’ signature confirmations online when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Some of the changes were later made permanent.
The Coalition government pledged $150 million in 2020 and 2021 to expand the changes with a four-year plan to reduce red tape. However, inconsistent legislation between the states delayed the introduction of the changes despite amassing support from all states and the law council to systemise the laws across the country.
Now, the attorney general’s department is understood to be finalising legislation to implement the changes by spring – meaning the new setup for online passport renewals and electoral registrations is expected to happen within a year.
This comes after it was announced that Aussies would be able to get their hands on a brand-new series of passports that feature pictures of iconic landscapes and animals native to the country.
This new passport also has advanced security features, such as a passport chip embedded on the page and hidden images that only emerge under ultraviolet light. This makes it more difficult to forge and less likely to be damaged. You can read the rest of the details here.
What do you think about this new change to Australia’s passport system? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
But good news is in the air as the Australian government has finally announced its plans to roll out a digital solution to streamline the passport renewal process.
Australians will soon be able to renew their passports online as the Federal Government announces major changes to how it handles its official documents.
According to reports, the government will allow digital statutory declarations and deeds in all states to streamline not only passport renewals but also electoral roll registration.
This means no more dreaded visits to the post office with heaps of paperwork signed in person by Justices of the Peace for those wanting a new passport.
Aussie travellers will now be able to renew their passports online. Credit: Shutterstock
Instead, Aussies can now confirm their identity through the Australian Tax Office’s myGovID app.
To set up your myGovID, you’ll need to:
1. Download the app from the Apple App Store (for iPhone users) or Google Play (for Android users).
2. Open the app and follow the prompts to enter your details,
3. Verify at least two Australian identity documents (such as a driver’s licence or birth certificate) to achieve a Standard identity strength. Do note that your name must match both of the documents you submit.
You can learn more about how to set up your myGovID on the government website.
However, if going online is not an option, you can call the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at 131 232 to get a pre-filled form sent to you. Renewal forms are not currently available at Australia Post.
Currently, each state and territory have different passport renewal systems.
For instance, in NSW, Queensland and Victoria, deeds and agreements may be executed electronically. But individuals cannot execute deeds electronically in the ACT, the Northern Territory, and South Australia. However, they are allowed to enforce agreements electronically.
But with this new system, individuals will be allowed to use digital signatures (or e-signatures) to countersign electronic documents once it is incorporated into the myGov website and app.
The changes aim to streamline processes. Credit: Catarina Sousa/Pexels
These changes also make sense financially.
Small businesses will be able to use the new digital statutory declarations and deeds, which are predicted to save $400 million a year in direct costs while speeding up systems.
Accenture modelling has found over 4.5 million deeds and more than 3.8 million statutory declarations completed yearly by small and medium enterprises and consumers. The modelling also found that it adds about six million and nine million hours, respectively, to printing and filling out, signing, and physically witnessing their execution. That’s around 625,000 days or 1700 years' worth of paperwork!
According to reports, a deregulation task force set up by the federal government said the move would ‘dramatically’ expand the myGov portal, which currently only offers 15 services.
This task force recommended adding passport renewal and electoral roll registration to myGov as a priority, but it requires a ‘uniform system’ approved by all states and territories.
The government started temporarily moving some of the centuries-old practice of ‘wet ink’ signature confirmations online when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Some of the changes were later made permanent.
Here's what you need to know. Image credit: The Seniors Discount Club
The Coalition government pledged $150 million in 2020 and 2021 to expand the changes with a four-year plan to reduce red tape. However, inconsistent legislation between the states delayed the introduction of the changes despite amassing support from all states and the law council to systemise the laws across the country.
Now, the attorney general’s department is understood to be finalising legislation to implement the changes by spring – meaning the new setup for online passport renewals and electoral registrations is expected to happen within a year.
This comes after it was announced that Aussies would be able to get their hands on a brand-new series of passports that feature pictures of iconic landscapes and animals native to the country.
This new passport also has advanced security features, such as a passport chip embedded on the page and hidden images that only emerge under ultraviolet light. This makes it more difficult to forge and less likely to be damaged. You can read the rest of the details here.
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I feel sorry for the influencers and the tik tokers 
