What happens if my Australian passport photo is rejected?

You'll be notified (by letter, email, or at the Australia Post lodgement counter) that a new photo is required. Your application is put on hold until a compliant photo is provided. Because Australia requires physical prints (no digital upload), you'll need to reprint or retake — delays are typically 1–3 weeks depending on how quickly you can return with new prints.

Why was my Australian passport photo rejected for being inkjet?

DFAT requires dye-sublimation prints on heavy glossy paper (200+ gsm). Inkjet prints show visible dot patterns, stripes, or pixel artefacts under magnification — all grounds for rejection. Home inkjet printers and some low-end kiosks produce inkjet output. Reprint at Australia Post, an Officeworks self-serve kiosk (Kodak Apex dye-sub), or a camera store.

Why was my Australian passport photo rejected for smiling?

DFAT requires a neutral expression with mouth closed for anyone over 3 years old. Even a slight closed-mouth smile can trigger rejection. Relax your face completely, drop your shoulders, and try again — don't try to look pleasant, just look neutral.

Can I still wear glasses in my Australian passport photo?

No. Glasses are not permitted in Australian passport photos — this includes prescription, reading, and tinted lenses. Medical exemptions require a doctor's certificate; vision impairment alone is not a valid reason.

How do I fix a passport photo that was rejected for shadows?

Face a window with natural daylight instead of using overhead lights or flash. Stand at least half a metre from the wall to avoid background shadows. If you can see a shadow under your nose on the phone screen, reposition until it disappears.

Is my photo rejected if I used the wrong size?

Yes. Australian passport photos must be 35–40mm wide × 45–50mm tall, with face height 32–36mm. Submitting US 2×2 inch photos (51×51mm) or any other non-compliant size fails immediately. Our tool outputs 35×45mm, which sits at the minimum valid size.

Can I edit a rejected photo and resubmit it?

If the problem is background or size, yes — processing it through our tool can fix those digital issues before you reprint. If the problem is shadows on your face, expression, glasses, or inkjet print quality, you need to retake or reprint. DFAT prohibits retouching of facial features — any digital alteration will itself cause rejection.

Australian Passport Photo Rejected? How to Fix It (2026)

Photo Just Rejected? Do This Now

If your Australian passport photo was just rejected, here’s the fastest path to a new one:

Check the rejection reason in your notification letter/email, or ask at the Australia Post lodgement counter
If the issue is print quality (inkjet, smudged, faded): your digital file may still be fine — just reprint at a dye-sublimation provider (Officeworks self-serve kiosk, camera store, or Australia Post)
If the issue is the photo itself (shadows, glasses, expression, wrong size): take a new photo with your phone against a white wall, facing a window (no glasses, neutral expression)
Process through our tool (~A$1.50) — we auto-check size, background, and head position before you download
Reprint on dye-sublimation glossy paper at a verified provider, then re-lodge at Australia Post

Australia requires physical prints, not uploads

There is no digital re-upload path — Australia does not accept digital photo submission for passport applications. Every resubmission requires physical prints on dye-sublimation glossy paper. See our Australia passport photo upload guide for the full process.

Why Australian Passport Photos Get Rejected

1. Inkjet Printing

What went wrong: The photo was printed on a non-dye-sublimation printer — typically a home inkjet, office printer, or low-end kiosk.

Why it’s rejected: DFAT requires dye-sublimation prints on heavy glossy paper (200+ gsm). Inkjet output shows visible dot patterns, stripes, or pixel artefacts under magnification. Assessors examine prints with magnifiers and reject anything that shows ink patterns.

How to fix: Reprint at a dye-sublimation provider. Options (cheapest first): Officeworks self-serve kiosk (~A$0.50–2, Kodak Apex dye-sub), camera store (~A$3–5, Ted’s Cameras, Kodak Express), or Australia Post (~A$19 bundled). Your digital file is probably still fine — you just need a different print process.

2. Smiling or Non-Neutral Expression

What went wrong: Any expression other than completely neutral. A slight smile, raised eyebrows, squinting, or even looking tense.

Why it’s rejected: DFAT requires a neutral expression for anyone over 3 years old. Biometric matching relies on consistent facial landmarks, so subtle expression changes can reduce matching accuracy at border control.

How to fix: Relax your face completely. Mouth closed, lips together naturally. Don’t try to look pleasant — just look neutral. If you look tense, take a breath, drop your shoulders, and try again.

3. Glasses in Photo

What went wrong: Wearing any type of glasses — prescription, reading, sunglasses, or tinted lenses.

Why it’s rejected: Glasses are not permitted in Australian passport photos. DFAT explicitly states vision impairment alone is not a valid reason to wear glasses.

How to fix: Remove all glasses before taking the photo. If you have a medical condition that genuinely requires you to wear glasses at all times, you need a signed doctor’s certificate — but this is rarely granted.

4. Wrong Background

What went wrong: Background is not plain white or light-coloured. Shadows behind your head. Patterns, textures, or objects visible.

Why it’s rejected: Automated background detection requires a uniform, shadow-free background for clean biometric processing. Even a faint shadow can trigger rejection.

How to fix: Use a plain white wall. Stand at least half a metre from the wall to avoid casting shadows. Use front-facing light (face a window). Our tool can also replace any background with compliant plain white.

5. Wrong Photo Size

What went wrong: Photo dimensions don’t match the required 35–40 × 45–50mm range.

Why it’s rejected: DFAT requires photos between 35–40mm wide × 45–50mm tall, with face height 32–36mm chin to crown. Submitting US 2×2 inch photos (51×51mm), UK photos, or improperly cropped images fails dimensional checks.

How to fix: Our tool outputs 35×45mm (the minimum valid size in DFAT’s range) with face height auto-cropped to the 32–36mm requirement. Check printed photo dimensions with a ruler before lodging.

6. Shadows on Face

What went wrong: Visible shadows on your face, under your nose, around your eyes, or on one side.

Why it’s rejected: Shadows create false contours that interfere with biometric facial mapping. The system can’t accurately measure your features.

How to fix: Face a window with natural daylight. No flash. No overhead lighting. If you can see a shadow under your nose on the phone screen, reposition until it disappears. Two light sources on either side also work.

Our tool checks for even lighting but can’t fix shadows in the original photo — you need to retake it.

7. Head Size or Position Wrong

What went wrong: Face too small in the frame, too large, off-centre, or tilted.

Why it’s rejected: Your head must measure 32–36mm from chin to crown in the printed photo (roughly 70–80% of frame height). The face must be centred with both eyes level.

How to fix: Position the camera about 1.2 metres from your face at eye level. Our tool uses face detection to crop to the exact required head size ratio.

8. Photo Too Old or Doesn’t Match Appearance

What went wrong: Photo taken more than 6 months ago, or your appearance has changed significantly.

Why it’s rejected: The photo must represent your current appearance. Significant changes in weight, hairstyle, facial hair, or ageing since the photo was taken are grounds for rejection.

How to fix: Take a fresh photo that reflects how you look right now.

Quick Requirements Reference

Your photo must NOT have

✕ Inkjet prints (home printers, low-end kiosks)
✕ Glasses (unless medical certificate provided)
✕ Smiling or any expression
✕ Shadows on face or background
✕ Hats or head coverings (except religious)
✕ Headphones or earbuds
✕ Retouching, filters, or beauty mode
✕ Hair covering your face or eyes

Your photo must have

✓ Size: 35–40mm wide × 45–50mm tall
✓ Face height: 32–36mm chin to crown
✓ Plain white or light-coloured background
✓ Dye-sublimation print, 200+ gsm glossy paper
✓ Less than 6 months old
✓ Full face, front view, eyes open
✓ Neutral expression, mouth closed
✓ In focus, no blur or grain

What Our Tool Can and Can’t Fix

Honest about our limits

Our tool checks head size, background colour, and face positioning before you pay. If your photo has a fixable issue (wrong size, non-white background), we handle it. If the issue is in the original photo (shadows, glasses, wrong expression), we flag it so you can retake.

We CAN fix:

Wrong background colour or pattern (auto-removed and replaced with white)
Wrong photo dimensions (auto-cropped to 35×45mm)
Head size ratio (auto-adjusted within the crop)

We CANNOT fix (retake required):

Shadows on your face
Glasses in the photo
Smiling or wrong expression
Blurry or low-resolution original
Head tilt or eyes not level

Source

Official photo requirements: Passport photos — passports.gov.au

Australian Passport Photo Rejected? Here's How to Fix It