The Evolution of the Australian Passport

Early Australian passports are rare to spot. If your collection focus is Australia, you should grab such early documents whenever they appear. Evolution Australian Passport

The Australian Government started issuing passports in 1901 following the federation of the colonies

However, Australia’s first federal passport regulations were not introduced until 3 September 1912. And it was another three years before the Australian Government introduced a mandatory passport system for the first time, mainly for manpower and security reasons.

Many people at the time saw this as a temporary wartime measure, to be rescinded after World War I.

But by the mid-1920s, it was clear that an international system of travel documentation was here to stay.

Passport Numbers Evolution Australian Passport

In 1950, Australia issued a total of 30 000 Australian passports. Fifty years later, in 2000, this number had increased to almost 1 450 000. Passport production accounted for 37 tonnes of paper, 95 500 meters of thread, 69 000 meters of gold foil and 1100 liters of glue.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Not a Member? JOIN US NOW or subscribe to our Newsletter