Reports reveal that an average of 10 Australian tourists lose their passports daily, either through theft or misplacement.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the last financial year recorded 2,043 cases of misplaced Australian passports and 1,578 instances of theft.
Globally, American passports are the most frequently stolen or misplaced, followed by Italian and British passports, with French and Spanish passports completing the top five.
The figure of lost or stolen Australian passports represents a significant 168% increase, highlighting the growing issue.
Travelers are urged to prioritize passport safety and immediately report any loss or theft to the nearest police station and embassy or consulate.
Maintaining a photocopy of the passport is strongly recommended to facilitate the replacement process and for other official purposes.
