Annex 31
Annex 31
Annex 31
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Contents
CONTACTS ..................................................................................................................................... 11
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Lodging a Travel Document Application
on behalf of an Unaccompanied
Humanitarian Minor (UHM)
This guide provides an overview of the process of applying for a Convention Travel Document (CTD)
or Certificate of Identity (COI) for a child who is a ward of the Minister for Immigration and Border
Protection (the Minister) or his/her delegate under section 6 of the Immigration (Guardianship of
Children) Act 1946 (Cth).
This guide does not provide information about the legislative regime or the issues considered by the
APO in processing a travel document application.
Prior to completing and lodging an application, the UHM’s delegated guardian or representative
should contact the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) regarding any
limitations that may affect a UHM’s ability to travel overseas on their current visa.
Child applicants aged 16 or 17 must accompany the person lodging the child’s travel document
application to attend the passport interview.
A list of offices is provided on page 11. The processing time for an application is three weeks as well
as an additional period of up to three to four weeks if the consent of all persons with parental
responsibility is not provided.
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An alert can be raised by submitting a Child Alert Request (PC9) form. Forms are available at
passport offices, from our website www.passports.gov.au or by phoning APIS on 131 232.
Child Alerts will not stop children from travelling if they already have an Australian or foreign travel
document. If you are concerned that a child will leave Australia without your permission, you may
seek a court order to have the child’s name placed on the Airport Watch List by the Australian
Federal Police. Further information on this can be found at www.afp.gov.au/policing/family-
law/family-law-kit .
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Quick Reference Guide
Who has parental responsibility for a UHM who is a ward of the Minister
for Immigration and Citizenship?
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Convention Travel Documents and
Certificates of Identity
Guardians of UHMs are able to apply for a Convention Travel Document (CTD) or Certificate of
Identity (COI) under section 9 of the Australian Passports Act 2005.
A CTD may be issued to a UHM who is present in Australia if the child is a refugee recognised under
the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees dated 28 July 1951, and the Protocol in force
under that Convention (Section 6.1 of the Australian Passports Determination 2015).
A COI may be issued to a UHM who is about to leave Australia, and is stateless or unable to obtain a
valid travel document from the country of which the child claims to be a national.
The protection afforded to an individual issued a refugee or humanitarian visa in Australia and
travelling on an Australian issued Certificate of Identity or Convention Travel Document is very
limited, but does include the replacement of a lost/stolen/damaged travel document where the
person holds a valid Australian visa with re-entry rights. Where the UHM is a permanent Australian
resident, they may have access to consular assistance. The exception is financial assistance, for
which only Australian citizens are eligible. The ability of a consular officer to assist Australian
permanent residents overseas may be limited to the extent that the host government is prepared to
accept Australia's involvement in the case.
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Completing the Application (PC5) Form
The ‘Application for Certificate of Identity or Convention Travel Document (PC5) form can only be
collected at an Australian Passport Office or by mail through the Australian Passport Information
Service (call 131 232). A sample of the form has been provided at Attachment A. The requirements
for each section are explained below.
1. Intended travel
Tickets should not be booked until a travel document has been issued, as there is no
guarantee that a travel document will be issued.
In order to issue a COI the applicant must produce satisfactory evidence of intended
international travel. Evidence may be in the form of a draft proposed itinerary or a general
declaration (B-11) form explaining the reasons for travel.
If the proposed travel is urgent on compassionate grounds, please notify the Australian
Passport Office on lodgement (supporting documentation may be required).
2. Personal details
Change of name
Where a person wishes to include in their travel document a name other than a name on their visa,
the applicant will need to submit a name change certificate issued by an Australian Registry of
Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM). If the applicant does not have an Australian RBDM name
change certificate they will need to contact DIBP regarding changing the name recorded on their
visa. Travel documents can only be issued with the personal details that DIBP have issued the
current visa in.
Birth Details
The applicant’s birth details must be the same as the details on the applicant’s Australian visa/DIBP
records. Where the place of birth is not recorded:
A full birth certificate and, if not in English, a translated copy from an approved English
translation service. In Australia, the translation must be performed by a National
Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) accredited translator. A list
of NAATI translators can be found at www.naati.com.au.
If there is no birth certificate, the child’s foreign passport can be submitted which states the
date and place of birth.
4. Visa details
Please provide the details of the current visa that permits the applicant to reside in
Australia. Where possible the original visa should also be provided.
Visa evidence must be submitted, as per the following:
o ImmiCard;
o PLO56 card;
o Visa label;
o Document for travel to Australia (DFTTA);
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o VEVO print out;
o Visa Grant Letter.
6. Security Question
Complete this section as normal, noting that the applicant should be aware of this security
question. If the applicant loses their travel document overseas, they may be asked this
question to assist in confirming their identity.
7. Contact details
Please provide the contact details of the delegate or nominee lodging the application on
behalf of the delegate.
If the ward is lodging the application themselves, then their contact details should go in this
space.
8. Address
This should be the address where the child resides. Please note that this will be the address
that the travel document is delivered to, if one is issued. The document can be sent to an
alternative address, but a general declaration (B-11) form is required giving the alternative
address and the reason why.
9. Physical appearance
Provide an appropriate answer.
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deemed to be lost.
11. Guarantor
The application must be accompanied by two current photographs of the applicant child,
with one endorsed by a guarantor who is an Australian citizen and:
o Is 18 years of age or over
o Is not related to the applicant by birth or marriage
o Is not in a de-facto relationship with the applicant
o Is not living at the same address as the child or a parent of the child
o Has known the child for at least 12 months or since birth
o Is in possession of a current Australian passport with at least 2 years validity or has
been on the Commonwealth electoral roll at their current address for the past 12
months
o Is able to endorse the back of one photograph in English
Parental Consent
Parental consent should be given via page 8 of the ‘Application for Certificate of Identity or
Convention Travel Document’ (PC5) form, under sections 12-15. Additional page 8 forms can
be forwarded to a parent for completion and then attached to the application, ensuring that
section 12 at the top of page 8 (child’s name to appear on the passport) is completed for
every form. The Australian Passports Office can only accept consent in English. A NAATI
translation of the consent is acceptable.
Special Circumstances
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The Australian Passports Office has discretion to issue a CTD/COI without the consent of a
person who has parental responsibility in specific circumstances listed in section 11 of the
Australian Passports Act 2005 and section 2.1 of the Australian Passports Determination
2015 (Attachment B).
A ‘Child without full parental consent or Australian court order permitting international
travel’ (B-9) form should be completed in as much detail as possible for each person whose
consent has not been obtained and lodged together with the required forms.
DFAT will attempt to contact those persons who have not provided consent. If either parent
is deceased, please provide evidence of death where available.
If court orders concerning the child are in force please provide these court orders and
complete form B-7.
The brochure ‘Children and Parental Consent’ provides more information about special
circumstances and is available to download on the passports.gov.au website.
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Checklist and Contacts
This list is not comprehensive and other documents may be required depending on the application.
All documents must be translated into English by an approved translation service. In Australia, the
translation must be performed by a National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters
(NAATI) accredited translator. A list of NAATI translators can be found at www.naati.com.au.
DFAT may request further information to assist with the processing of applications on a case by case
basis.
Document Checklist
□ A completed ‘Application for Certificate of Identity or Convention Document’ (PC5) form.
□ Two colour photographs with one endorsed by a guarantor.
□ Any current Australian or foreign travel document. If it is an Australian travel document it
will be cancelled as part of the current application.
□ A full original birth certificate or a ‘Child born overseas and no birth certificate’ (B-6) form or
a general declaration (B-11) form.
□ The consent of the Minister (or the Minister’s delegate) provided on a completed ‘Child
under the Guardianship of the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (B-3) form.
□ The consent of the applicant’s parents and any other parties given parental responsibility
under an Australian court order. If consent cannot be obtained, a ‘Child without full parental
consent or Australian court order permitting international travel’ (B-9) form for each person
whose consent cannot be obtained.
□ Originals of any Australian court orders in force concerning the child and a form B-7.
□ Evidence of death if either parent is deceased.
□ Any general declaration (B-11) forms.
□ Applicant’s visa details and evidence have been provided.
□ Documentation regarding name change (if applicable).
□ Proof of intended travel for COI applications.
□ Child applicants aged 16 or 17 must accompany the person lodging the child’s travel
document application to attend the passport interview.
Contacts
If you have any queries, contact the Passport Operations and Training Section in the Australian
Passport Office at passports.childconsent@dfat.gov.au
To obtain an application form and information pack or to book an interview time at your local
Passport Office please contact the Australian Passport Information Service on 131 232.
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Passport Office Locations
Adelaide Passport Office Brisbane Passport Office
Level 1 Level 2,
111 Macquarie Street 747 Collins street
Hobart TAS 7000 Docklands VIC 3008
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