I've already lodged the renewal form and paid the cost. It's been a week and I don't receive confirmation at all. I don't know whether the passport office will give confirmation to the passport applicants but I read on this forum : http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/open-discussion/passport-renewal-process-7978.html, that somebody received confirmation a couple days after he/she lodged the renewal form.
confirmation through email
confirmation through email