Big problem with new Australian passports

A traveller has discovered a huge flaw with her brand new Australian passport, and it turns out she’s not the only one.

There's a problem with the new Australian passports. Picture: TikTok/The_Greataway

A traveller has discovered a problem with her new Australian passport, and it turns out she’s not the only one.

The woman posted about her new passport on TikTok, slamming the quality of the document due to what she says is a major flaw.

The traveller, New South Wales local Greta May, claims her brand new passport bends very easily compared to her previous passport.

“I recently got the new Australian passport, very excited,” May said. “Cost around $350 ($398) or something.

“Then I had a few people tell me that I need to put a paperweight on it because it bends. Went away to the Sunny Coast to visit family for a few days so I didn’t have an opportunity to check and now I’m back.

“What?” she said as she held up her new passport, with its front cover lifted up.

“You’re not wrong. This is the new passport versus my old passport.”

She then held them side-by-side for comparison, where it was clear just how much flatter her old passport was.

“This passport is brand new, has not seen a different country,” she said. “This passport is 10 years old and it’s been around.”

However, despite the problem, May conceded that the new passport has a positive side.

“I mean it’s beautiful, the design on it, the patterns, the different locations. Uluru, in all its glory.”

However, she said it doesn’t make up for its shortcomings – especially given the hefty price tag.

“Considering this is one of the world’s most expensive passports, what happened?”

Many followers on May’s TikTok page said they had also been handed a curved passport recently.

“Literally thought it was just our kids ones!,” one concerned traveller commented. “I took them back to the passport office to be told no that’s normal.”

“They are being sent like that,” responded a postal worker. “Mine and sons were the same got last month. I work in the post office and have had customers coming in. Passport office reckons it’s normal.”

“What happened?” She asked of the new passport. Picture: TikTok/The_Greataway

A comparison of new vs. old passports. Picture: TikTok/The_Greataway

“Yessss, through it was just me. Mine looks like my uni textbooks,” wrote another.

“Same, I just received my new passport and had to put it under something heavy as it was bent,” yet another commiserated.

Another traveller insisted this passport differs from others: “I’ve had three passports in the last 10 years. The new one is susceptible to bending easy. I keep it in the plastic sleeve and when handled it gets bent and kinks”.

Some Australians even recounted how they experienced issues when travelling.

“My new one is so bent that Heathrow almost didn’t accept it! $398 well spent.”

“They stopped me in Colombia because of it.”

She praised the new design. Picture: TikTok/The_Greataway

Not good enough, she insists. Picture: TikTok/The_Greataway

However, some commenters offered some reassurance and advice.

“I just travelled to Bali with it looking like that, was stressed too but it was fine.”

“My husband’s and mine are chucked in a drawer and they are perfectly flat.”

“No it’s not damaged or a defect it’s just the electric/NFC pages, they have a habit of curling if left without the cover. My one didn’t do it my partners new one went straight in the cover and it perf (sic).”

“I bought passport covers for ours for that reason!”

The Australian Passport Office has reassured travellers that the curling is normal in a statement on its website.

“You may notice a slight curling on the cover of your R Series passport.

“This occasionally occurs due to changes in humidity. It’s not a manufacturing defect and doesn’t affect the validity of your passport. Keeping your passport tightly secured will help prevent this curling.”

However, Australians should treat it carefully.

“This new passport is a little different to previous Australian passports. When you first open your passport, you will now see a polycarbonate photo page. This is a tough, high-security, layered plastic,” the website states.

“Be careful to not bend the passport too far back or you could damage the stitching that holds the passport together.”

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokesperson recommended travellers store their passport in an envelope or passport holder when not in use.

“The Australian passport is respected internationally as a high-quality travel document,” the DFAT spokesperson told news.com.au.

“This a key reason why Australian passport holders receive visa-free access to over 180 countries – a practical benefit for many Australians.

“DFAT has advice on using and protecting your passport, including using an envelope or passport holder to store and protect your passport between use.”

Slight curling occasionally occurs due to changes in humidity, this curling does not affect the validity of your passport.

As of July 1, the cost of an Australian passport went up 15 per cent, meaning those who plan on purchasing the 10-year travel document will have to pay almost $400, up from $346.