How Aussies are avoiding 17-week waits for passport applications

Exasperated would-be travellers who have waited on passport applications for up to 17 weeks have found a solution — and it doesn’t cost a cent.

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Exasperated would-be travellers who have waited on passport applications for up to 17 weeks have found a solution that is working every time — and it doesn’t involve paying an extra fee.

Instead they are asking their federal MP for help at the 11th hour, reports The Daily Telegraph.

Assistance with delayed passports is the number one request to new northern Sydney independent Sophie Scamps.

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She is one of many parliamentarians being inundated as DFAT fails to cope with demand and a growing number of Australians are made to miss flights and forgo accommodation.

Fifteen per cent of applications are still not being finalised within six weeks, a Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman told The Daily Telegraph.

People are seen queuing up outside the Passport Office in Sydney. Picture NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard.

But in many of those cases, local parliamentarians are getting results.

For the past three months, Liberal MP Julian Leeser has been averaging more than one passport help request per day.

All those who have turned to the Berowra MP, in Sydney’s north, have got their travel documents in time for their trip.

His office immediately escalates a constituent request — provided the applicant has been waiting at least six weeks, which is the minimum amount of time DFAT advises people to allow between submitting paperwork and their departure date.

Dr Scamps was recently able to successfully petition on behalf of the Schlossers of Elanora Heights, who are due to fly to Austria on Saturday to visit elderly relatives.

Mrs Schlosser lodged her daughter Anna’s renewal on April 11. The passport only came through this week, following Dr Scamps’ intervention.