Trying to speak to a human is almost impossible. The phone just connected me to another option which in turn connected me to another automated option and all the while telling me the solution to my problem is on their Web pages, the same pages that had earlier informed me to ring them. Difficult to speak with a human who can assist and as for being open for only 3 hours per day, what are they doing the rest of the day. Let me guess, dealing with foreigners or having a siesta. I thought the British consulate was there to assist British citizens. That may be the case but they make it very difficult for British citizens to contact them to ask for assistance. It's like a game of hide and seek and the consulate are very good at hiding.

I cant thank this consulate enough, after losing my mother in the uk, and being a potential overstayer here, the lady at the consulate , megan hunt, was a calm port in a very bad storm, her calm manner , was refreshing without being over judgemental, she guided mewith advise ,was,always willing to listen and in constant touch with offers of support and sympathy, I cannot praise her enough, the whole process from putting a plan together to executing it was done in a curtious manner, professional approach and with care and compassion in my situation , my thanks for everything , without you i would i have missed my mothers funeral and that is comfort enoughto know that the support was there, thank you

I concur with the consensus...brutally uninterested in corresponding directly by shuttling people through a website process designed to meet KPI's rather than the fundamental mission of assisting citizens. When I did speak to the Canberra operator her resentment at being required to perform her job was palpable. She provided information and then expressed what a favour she had done in doing so; you'd have to actively hire for this kind of attitude so I can only imagine the self-righteous culture of the whole workplace. Nice job making Britain seem like a hostile place.

Personally, I found that the crackhead on the corner of my street had more information about how to help with my visa problems than the helpline provided. At least he gave me the honest answer that he had not a sodding clue what he was talking about, unlike the helpline who had the audacity to pretend to feed me useful visa information. So, in my opinion if you'd like help with your visa you should first go to brisbane central platform 9 3/4 catch the train to Narnia, speak to tinkerbell and she will tell you how you can stay in Australia legally. God help us all.

Just wanted to make an appointment to come in to speak to someone, round and round in circles on the phone options, none being "make an appointment", thoroughly frustrated when I finally got to speak to a real person so perhaps not the politest but to be told "I'm not paid to be talked down to by you" by the voice of HM Government not the best look. Pity because when I dealt with them twenty years ago the door was open and the people kind and helpful. How times change, going to contact Canberra High Commission in future.

I had an urgent need for assistance and I was very impressed with the response and service I received. I wrote a letter explaining my situation and I was called by a member of staff who was involved throughout the whole process until the necessary outcome was reached. Don't be disheartened as I was after reading the previous reviews. If you have a genuine urgent matter, I recommended writing a thorough letter and waiting for a response. Good luck. Thank you British Consulate Brisbane!

When I requested emergency travel documents late in the evening online they called me back first thing next morning. I got professional service, knowledgeable advice and the sense they actually cared about solving my problem. I know there are a lot of negative reviews here but my experience could not have been more positive. Double-check whether you need to call or if it's possible to start whatever you need to do online because you might be able to avoid an overloaded switchboard.

We are British Citizens stranded in Queensland, have been advised to contact the Consulate, and have been trying trying to contact them for 10 days. The phone line is useless, it is either engaged ,or if answered (by machine) the system kicks out after holding for 10 minutes! The Consulate will not accept personal visits , without an appointment, but does not offer any way to make one. We are desperate,

Most of the extensions on the telephone system are not picked up, and lead to full voicemails (so you cannot leave a message). If by some miracle you do manage to speak to a vaguely human person they will be unhelpful and eager to get you off the phone ASAP. If you have a problem it's probably quicker to swim back to the UK then try and get anything approaching "service" from this bunch of idiots.

What an absolutely TERRIBLE phone service. In fact it's non-existent. A passport enquiry (option 2) is answered by a long recorded message that rattles off long complex Web site addresses at high speed, and phone numbers, but never answers the question or puts you through to anyone who may help. Choosing option 0 for an operator -twice - just rang out then hung up. Dreadful!!!

I cannot rate them highly enough. I was in desperate need of an emergency passport due to a family emergency and oversight on my behalf about the validity of my passport. The security guard (?Andrew) and the consulate lady (? Margaret) (sorry I was very stressed it's all a bit of a blur) went above and beyond to get me home. Words cannot describe how grateful I am. Thanks

There IS no service. The phone number only gives email options, and for the questions I asked I had to PAY to even email... And to top it off the email went to the wrong department and they said I had to pay AGAIN to email to ask the same question. Worst service I've experienced ever regarding visa/passport enquiries anywhere in the world.

Telephone staff had no knowledge of procedures or basic information. It took me AGES to get through the blurb of "press this number for ....." The options were not very clear and websites were rattled off so quickly I couldnt possibly have written them down. Just a simple question and I was told I would have to ring the U.K. !!!!

Suggest someone goes to check on welfare of supposed staff at the consulate, rung numerous times no answer( mail box full every time!!). Merry go round of options....useless. My issues wasn't urgent but now is due to not being able to able to get help. Not a good look for Britan ‍♀️ …

Don't be intimidated by the notice on the door. The staff were friendly and helpful. They saw a solution to enable me to continue my travels on an expiring passport and were able to issue the necessary travel documentation the same day. Five stars from me to the team.

Try calling Ghost Busters, as there is more chance of them answering your call than this embarrassing bunch. Your call will NOT be answered, so stop wasting your time and try other avenues. Oh and good luck. I'm embarrassed to be British after this fiasco.

Hopeless service. The system is designed so that you dont actually speak to anyone. They keep referring to the website. The website is useless and you have to pay for every query. Even when you pay, you get a generic response. Useless

What an amazing experience. They were so kind and helpful here and managed to sort out an emergency passport the day before the appointment. This meant we didn't miss our flight. I am so thankful for their help and understanding.

Easily ranks as one of the worst phone service ever. They must have spent a lot of time and effort in ensuring that a caller never gets to speak to a human, they just get routed from one automated message to another

What is the point of trying to ring a specific office just to be sent back to somewhere else. The voice rattled off the website I had to go at an alarming speed and I couldn't even get the end of it written down.

The person I spoke with had a way of saying 'madam' that was curiously hostile. A 'don't-ask-us-check-the-website' response. I would recommend checking gov.uk before phoning the Consulate if you can.

I just want to SPEAK to a PERSON! I'm a British born Australian citizen looking to go back to the UK for family reasons! Can anyone tell me who I need to talk to or the any avenue I need to follow?

Absolute travesty of "justice" in the "trial" of Tommy Robinson. Disgusted with the former "Great" Britain and its injustice system. Anyone representing it should be ashamed. Lance Wyatt.

Seriously open only for 3 hrs can I get a job pls I have been trying to ring for 3 days solid now and not one person has picked up a phone. What a joke of a place

passport helpline.- couldnt understand the number on the message. couldnt get through to to bad elocution on message. foxtrot foxtrot sierra.

I find the messages rather confusing and could NOT get on to appropriate dept, I hung up the phone and tried several times without success.

you never get to speak to anyone. every single option brings you back to the home page . no actual point to this page you are useless

Shocking! I only wanted to talk to someone about posting a passport application to me. Never spoke to a single person..

Extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the process of claiming citizenship, the whole experience was very pleasant.

Not sure why they even have the phone number on here. You just get pushed to the website constantly. Awful service.

Terrible phone service experience. All automated with no one to talk to. And still we have no answers to our query.

As has been said befor, dreadful phone service. Recorded messages and no operator available. Poor form.

I am trying to return WW@ medals to British family. There phone is not being answered. Bloody hopeless

Terrible phone service. Would not take the time to listen or help. Involved in a car crash

Going round in circles. If we can't get in touch with them what do they actually do

I need an email address for the embassy because the phone is continually engaged

Extremely rude! They don't want to talk and just hang up !

what a waist of time - don't even bother trying

Agree terrible phone service just drops out

absolutely rubbish phone service

no service what so ever.

Awful phone services

Useless as expected.

Bloody Brits