Australian passport photo: size, rules and how to get one
An Australian passport application needs two recent colour photos. A 35 × 45 mm photo fits the permitted print range, but the face size, print quality and other details must also meet the rules.[1]
Photo size and face position
The Australian Passport Office accepts prints 35–40 mm wide and 45–50 mm high. A 35 × 45 mm print is within that range. Your face height, from your chin to your crown, must be 32–36 mm. The Office gives no required eye height, top margin, pixel size or DPI.[1]
Keep your face centred and look straight at the camera. The edges of your face must be visible. The photo should be clear and in focus, with no marks or red-eye.[1]
Background, light and print quality
Use a plain white or light grey background that contrasts with your face. Light the scene evenly, with brightness and contrast that show your natural skin tone. Shadows and reflections are not allowed.[1]
The photos must be less than six months old. They must be good quality colour prints made using dye sublimation, not an inkjet printer, on glossy heavy-weight paper of at least 200 gsm. You need two prints.[1]
Expression, glasses and head coverings
Anyone over 3 must face the camera straight on, with eyes open and a neutral expression. The mouth should be closed. People under 3 may have an open mouth, but no one else may be visible in the photo.[1]
Do not wear glasses unless you cannot remove them for medical reasons. Vision impairment alone is not an acceptable reason. If a medical reason prevents removal, the frames must not cover your eyes and the lenses must not reflect light.[1]
You may wear a plain religious head covering if you usually cover your head for religious reasons. It must leave your entire face visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead, including the edges of your face. For other medical reasons that prevent you from meeting the photo rules, provide a medical certificate or complete form B-11.[1]
How to take the photo at home
The Passport Office recommends a professional passport photo provider, though a photo you take yourself can still be used if it meets the guidelines. The Office does not recommend online passport photo services or mobile apps because they may put you at risk of identity fraud.[1]
Stand in front of a plain white or light grey wall. Face a window or use soft lights in front of you to reduce shadows. Ask someone to take the picture, or set the camera at eye level and use a timer. Stand far enough away to avoid a distorted face; you can crop the photo later. This is practical advice, not a stated Office requirement.
Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression and eyes open. Keep your head level, move hair away from the edges of your face, and remove glasses if you can. Check that the image is sharp, evenly lit and shows your natural skin tone. Do not retouch it.[1]
Prepare the photo for application
The Australian Passport Office requires two physical colour prints. It does not publish a digital upload size, pixel dimension or file-size limit for passport photos.[1]
Use the tool above to crop the image to 35 × 45 mm, then place the crop on a 4 × 6-inch print sheet. At a kiosk, select 4 × 6 inches and print on glossy paper. Check with the print provider that it uses dye-sublimation printing and paper of at least 200 gsm; the Office says not to use inkjet prints.[1]
After printing, check the actual photo dimensions and face height with a ruler. Print settings can resize an image, so do not assume the photo is the right size just because it looked correct on screen. Bring both prints with your application. For a paper adult application, the guarantor must sign the back of one photo and write the required statement; follow the application instructions that apply to your form.[2]
Common reasons a photo is refused
Photos may fail if the face is too large or small, the picture is blurry or grainy, the background is patterned, or the lighting creates shadows or reflections. A head turned or tilted, closed eyes for someone over 3, a smile, red-eye, or hair covering the face edges can also break the rules.[1]
Other problems include glasses without a qualifying medical reason, reflective lenses, a patterned religious head covering, retouching such as skin smoothing, and marks or lines from printing or scanning. For a child under 3, no one else may be visible in the photo.[1]
A photo provider can help with framing and print quality, but it cannot guarantee approval. The Passport Office may ask you for a new photo when you lodge your application or while it is being assessed if the photo does not meet its guidelines.[1]
Frequently asked questions
What size is an Australian passport photo?
Accepted prints are 35–40 mm wide and 45–50 mm high. The common 35 × 45 mm size is within that range. Face height, from chin to crown, must be 32–36 mm.[1]
Can I wear glasses in an Australian passport photo?
Only if you cannot remove them for medical reasons. Vision impairment alone is not accepted. The frames must not obscure your eyes and the lenses must not reflect light.[1]
Can I print my Australian passport photo at home?
The required prints must be dye-sublimation colour prints on glossy paper of at least 200 gsm; the guidance says not to use an inkjet printer. Use a provider that can meet those print requirements.[1]
Can a baby have an open mouth in a passport photo?
Yes. A child under 3 may have an open mouth, but no one else can be visible in the photo.[1]
Does Australia require a digital passport photo upload?
The Passport Office photo guidance requires two physical colour prints and does not specify pixel dimensions or a file-size limit.[1]