Just sharing my recent experience with passport renewal:
I went to the Philippine Consulate in Sydney last Wednesday the 16th because it was an Ekka Show holiday in Brisbane, where I live. I arrived at the consular office at around 10am and there was quite a lot of people, most of them were from Brisbane as well, taking advantage of the local Brisbane-only holiday.
The process was pretty straightforward. I had to submit a report of marriage application so that I can use my married name in my new passport, and they also allowed me to simultaneously apply for the passport renewal along with the report of marriage on the same day. Had to get my documents verified in the main window, and then waited for my number to be called to submit my documents, then after they have inputted my details on the computer, they called my name to take my passport photo, biometrics and signature. I was finished by 12:15pm. So now I am just waiting to hear updates on the release of the passport.
@Cassey Thanks for sharing your passport renewal experience with us! Just a question: Now that you have your passport, did you update your details with the Australian immigration/Department of Home Affairs? And do you know what would happen to our CFO sticker since it will just be in the old passport?