French nationals abroad can apply for the electronic national identity card, valid 10 years for adults and children and linkable to the France Identité app. Applications are made in person because fingerprints are taken.
Where to apply in Australia
Consulate-General of France in Sydney (NSW; also serves Queensland and Western Australia applicants via booking pages for Sydney, Brisbane and Perth) and Consulate-General in Melbourne (VIC); consular agencies in Darwin (NT), Cairns (QLD), Adelaide (SA) and Hobart (TAS) also take applications. The Embassy in Canberra deals with registration and proxy validation by email appointment.
Same booking pages and collection hours as passports (Sydney/Brisbane/Perth share a page; Melbourne separate and collection there by appointment).
Contact details for every office are on the page of the embassy and consulates of France.
How to apply
Book a free appointment (one per person; can be combined with a passport) | prepare documents per Service-Public.fr | optionally buy a stamp for lost/stolen replacement | attend in person | collect within 3 months with the receipt (adults in person only)
Documents you need
- Documents depend on adult/minor, first request or renewal
- Proof of address under 1 year old
- Photo 3.5 x 4.5 cm, light non-white background
- For a replacement after loss, the loss/theft declaration
Fees and processing time
- Official fee: free for first issue or renewal; EUR 25 for replacement after loss or theft
Processing time: Several weeks, longer near holidays.
Good to know
Page updated 29 Jul 2026 (valid to 23 Oct 2026).
Official sources
Check before you apply
This page summarises information published by France's official channels, last checked on 24 octubre 2026. Fees and requirements can change at short notice, so confirm with the office that will handle your case.
Spotted a change? Let us know.
More services of France in Australia
- Apostille and legalisation of documents
- Birth declaration or transcription
- Certificate of registration / residence and change of residence
- Citizen census registration and Defence and Citizenship Day (JDC)
- Death declaration or transcription
- Declaration of loss or theft of French documents
- Digital identity certification (France Identite)
- Emergency passport
- French nationality (marriage, naturalisation, reintegration)
- French visa (France-Visas)
- Laissez-passer (single-journey travel document)
- Life certificate for pensions
- Marriage: capacity certificate, banns and transcription
- PACS registration
- Passport application or renewal (in person)
- Registration on the register of French nationals abroad
- Remote passport renewal (trial)
- Voting from abroad and proxy voting