Frustrated Aussie travellers have taken to social media about the persistently curling covers on their brand new expensive passports.
The new R series Australian passport is now the second most expensive in the world with the cost skyrocketing to $398 after a 15 per cent price hike in July, only beaten by the tiny European country of Lichtenstein.
But despite the hefty price tag, some of those who have gotten their hands on the new model have raised concerns about its manufacturing quality.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) trumpeted the launch of the new passport last year along with the fact it is manufactured in Australia.
‘Did you know Australia has an innovative new passport known as the R Series?,’ the department said.
‘The next-generation passport is packed with advanced security features designed to keep Australians’ identities safe.
‘Your passport is designed, printed and assembled in Australia to rigorous security standards.’
Security features aside, users on Reddit agreed the curling covers made the passport look cheap.
Aussie travellers have taken to social media to rant about a problem with their new R series passports, its incessantly curling cover
The Australian passport is now the most expensive in the world (stock image)
A Reddit post titled ‘Is the Australian passport possessed?’ drew heated responses from Aussies.
The original poster asked, ‘Something is seriously not right with my passport, anyone else’s passport is behaving like this?’
This was followed by a laughing/crying emoji.
The photo with the post showed the passport placed vertically, with the front and back cover extremely curled.
‘Mine was like this when I got it. You gotta squish the bunyips out under some heavy books.’
‘Eventually it settles down,’ one Reddit user wrote.
Another had a rather blunt response: ‘Mine does the same, most expensive passport in the world, such a s***show.’
One user claimer to have inside knowledge and offered a suggestion.
‘I did a job at the passport manufacturer place, they new (sic) this was going to happen and there (sic) wasn’t much they can do to fix it due to how the pages are put together.’
The Department of Foreign Affairs trumpeted the launch of the new R series passport last year. ‘Your passport is designed, printed and assembled in Australia to rigorous security standards’
‘My recommendation to anyone getting one of the new passports (anything from 2023ish till now) is as soon as you get it to put it under a few heavy books for a week or so to prevent this.’
Another user offered some unusual, yet helpful advice.
‘I keep mine in it’s condom. Plus only used it for Id. Mine behaves normally sorry.’
Canadian passport owners are also experiencing similar curling cover issues with their new passports.
DFAT addressed the curling issue on its website.
‘You may notice a slight curling on the cover of your R Series passport. This occasionally occurs due to changes in humidity.’
‘It’s not a manufacturing defect and doesn’t affect the validity of your passport’
‘Keeping your passport tightly secured will help prevent this curling.’
‘For example, you can use an envelope or passport holder to store and protect your passport between use.’
