Australian Passport Office branches around the nation, and the jobs of hundreds of public servants who work there, face an uncertain future as the government considers a sweeping revamp of its passport service.
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Offices in Sydney, Newcastle and Perth look certain to close and much of the printing associated with the issuing of passports is to be outsourced, but the Department of Foreign Affairs insists that the production of the travel documents themselves will be kept in-house.
DFAT workers have been given a vague outline of the plans but it looks likely the tradition of citizens visiting an inner city shopfront-style office to get their passports is doomed.
Department bosses are considering off-loading expensive CBD leases in Perth, Newcastle and Sydney and moving operations to cheaper outer suburban or regional locations.
The department hierarchy says technology and "online services" have the potential to "transform the operating model" of the Passport Office.
The move comes as government departments step up pressure on citizens to conduct their business with government online.
The CPSU has lodged an official dispute with the department management, alleging bosses have left the workforce in the dark.
In a bulletin sent to workers, the department said a "comprehensive review" was under way.
Up to 2 million passports applications are expected to be received in 2015 – up 15 per cent on five years ago – and a $100 million system for issuing the documents is expected to go live this year.
The review will consider the increase in demand, which is expected to grow, and government demands that public service departments move more service delivery online.
"The Australian Passport Office is undertaking a comprehensive review of its network in Australia to provide advice to the departmental executive on the delivery of passport services," the bulletin said.
"The review will also consider short-term and longer-term staffing and property requirements in view of these projections and developments.
"Technological changes associated with the (passport redevelopment program) and the government's priority to service clients better, such as through online services, will transform the operating model of the APO.
"This is particularly relevant to how passport offices are structured, methods of contact with the public, and the most efficient ways to deliver client services."
The APO's preparation, scanning and cropping of documents will be outsourced from next month and bulk printing will move to the Reserve Bank subsidiary, Note Printing Australia, in Victoria by the end of the year.
A department spokeswoman refused to disclose details but insisted passport printing would remain in-house.
A union bulletin to members in the department warned the CPSU would escalate its concern into an official dispute.
It said department bosses were making plans affecting many jobs without consulting workers.
"This is not good enough," the bulletin said.
"The proposed changes could have a major impact on CPSU members' jobs."
