Hardware failure forces Passports website offline

The Australian Passports Office website is expected to remain offline for days after a ”critical hardware failure” sent its web servers offline on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told iTnews the agency’s service delivery providers were working around the clock to resolve the issue, but it could extend into next week.

“The department places the highest importance on the security of its online records and these have not been compromised,” she said in a statement.

The Australian Passport Information Service (available on 131 232) can assist clients to obtain pre-completed online passport renewal forms until the website service had resumed, she said.

Overseas clients were asked to contact their nearest Australian diplomatic mission or consulate for assistance with their passport application.

DFAT recently contracted Fujitsu to replace its ageing passport issuing system.