- Scamwatch lists “travel documents” among services targeted by sites that falsely claim government affiliation, and advises that government websites use .gov.au, never .org, .net or .com.
- IDCARE reported a 76 per cent surge in passport and visa scam activity last year, as reported by the Daily Advertiser.
- National Anti-Scam Centre: in the first three months of 2026, scams that began online (including fake websites) accounted for around half of all reported Scamwatch losses, $38.3 million.
- Search volume: about 74,000 a month for “passport renewal australia”.
Why this pattern works
A passport renewal is a rare, slightly stressful task with a deadline attached, usually a trip. People search for the task, not for an agency name. Searching for “passport renewal australia” draws a very large audience, and any site that appears above the official one in paid results gets the traffic. The Daily Advertiser, quoting IDCARE and the National Anti-Scam Centre, describes fake government sites appearing as sponsored results and being easy to mistake for official services.
What Scamwatch says these sites do
Scamwatch’s warning about fake claims of government affiliation (originally 2011, still on its site) describes sites that charge a fee for services offered freely or at a lower cost by government, or charge for services they never deliver. It names travel documents in a list that also includes business registrations, grants and tax file numbers. The sites often use prominently placed official logos, links to genuine government websites and photos of well-known Australians or landmarks. Its advice is plain: most Australian government websites use .gov.au, never .org, .net or .com; government services are never paid by wire transfer; and the australia.gov.au portal is a safe way to find government services.
That alert is old; the pattern is current. In our reading, the new element in 2026 is scale and the advertising channel, not the method.
How a look-alike sequence runs
We build this from the Scamwatch alerts on look-alike government sites, not from an invented case; it is a pattern, not a story.
- You search for the task and click a sponsored result that looks official.
- The site shows a form that resembles the real one and a fee higher than the official fee, or asks for payment for access to forms and links that are free.
- It asks you to upload a scan of your current passport, a photo and sometimes other identification.
- It takes your card details through a payment page that may not be secure.
- Either nothing arrives, or you have paid only for forms and links that are free, or someone contacts you claiming to be from an agency and demands more documents; the Daily Advertiser describes late-night calls of that kind.
The real process, side by side
| Step | Australian Passport Office (checked 5 October 2026) | Look-alike site |
|---|---|---|
| Where | passports.gov.au, its application portal, or a participating post office | A .com, .org, .net or other non-.gov.au address |
| Adult 10-year fee | $422 as at 1 January 2026 | A higher total, or “service” fees added |
| Time | At least 6 weeks from lodging; over 97% available within 6 weeks as at August 2026 | Promises of guaranteed or instant approval |
| Faster service | Priority (2-day, $308) or Fast Track (5-day, $107) for eligible customers, extra to the base fee | “Express” fees paid to an agent |
| Identity check | Previous passport verified through the Document Verification Service in the portal | Upload of scans to a site that cannot verify anything |
Two-minute check
- Does the address end in .gov.au and begin with the name of the Passport Office?
- Did you type or bookmark it, rather than click an advert?
- Does the fee match the Passport Office table on the day you look?
- Does the site ask you to pay by transfer? Government services are never paid that way, per Scamwatch.
- Does it ask for documents before telling you the price?
If you used one
Stop paying. Call your bank. If you uploaded a passport scan, ring IDCARE on 1800 595 160 and read our page on identity theft recovery. Then tell Scamwatch; the Daily Advertiser’s summary of its advice is to report to Scamwatch and your bank immediately. The real application is on the passport cost and timing page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the official site for renewing an Australian passport?
passports.gov.au, run by the Australian Passport Office. You can also lodge at a participating post office after completing the application online.
Can a third-party site renew my passport?
Scamwatch warns about sites that charge fees for services offered freely or cheaper by government. The Passport Office itself accepts applications through its portal and post offices; check there first.
How do I know a passport website is fake?
Check the address: Scamwatch says most Australian government websites use .gov.au and never .org, .net or .com. Also check that the fee matches the Passport Office table.
What do I do if I sent my passport details to a fake site?
Contact your bank, call IDCARE on 1800 595 160, and report the site to Scamwatch. IDCARE provides a free plan to limit the damage.
Are passport scams common?
IDCARE reported a 76 per cent surge in passport and visa scam activity last year, according to the Daily Advertiser. The National Anti-Scam Centre says scams that began online accounted for around half of all reported Scamwatch losses in the first quarter of 2026.