RURAL and regional Queensland will be further disadvantaged when Australia Post's contract to process passport applications expires in June next year.
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Australia Post has provided application lodgement services on behalf of the Australian Passport Office since 1983.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) will replace the existing application process with an online capability.
However, passport applicants will still be required to appear in person for identity verification, and DFAT is seeking a national service delivery to support the new process.
According to the chair of the Licensed Post Office Group, Angela Cramp, from remote NSW, post offices across Australia have processed 94 per cent of passport applications over the past 33 years.
"Over that time, what we have found is that more than 50 per cent turn up without the appropriate paperwork and have to return," Mrs Cramp said.
"More than 30 per cent have to return more than twice, so it averages out about three visits to get the paperwork processed.”
