The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), has issued the first biometrically enabled Australian passport – or ePassport.
The new passports, which feature a microchip embedded in the centre that contains information about the bearer, along with their image , can be verified when passed before a technical reading machine known as an optical identifier.
According to Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer, The chip will contain the same information that is shown on existing Australian passports.
“This is the most secure passport that Australia has ever had. We need a passport system with a high level of integrity. This is a passport that has the highest level of integrity of any passport that Australia has ever had,” Mr Downer said. He also claimed processing time would be quicker.
The new passports will cost $172, up $19.
