What size are Australian passport photos?

35mm × 45mm (EU biometric format). This is DIFFERENT from US passport photos (51mm × 51mm / 2×2 in square). Australia uses the same format as France, Germany, Spain, Italy, most EU countries.

Can I use US passport photos for Australian passport?

No. US passport photos are 2×2 inches (51mm × 51mm square). Australia requires 35mm × 45mm (portrait ratio). Submitting US photos will result in rejection — wrong size is one of the most common rejection reasons.

Are glasses allowed in Australian passport photos?

No. Australia banned glasses in passport photos effective January 2024. You must remove prescription glasses. Medical exemptions are rarely granted.

What background color does Australia require?

White or light-colored (cream, light grey). NOT dark grey, blue, or colored backgrounds. White is safest. Non-white backgrounds are a common rejection reason.

Can I smile in Australian passport photos?

No. Australia requires neutral expression with mouth closed and no teeth showing. Smiling accounts for 25% of rejections. Australia has stricter enforcement than US (zero tolerance for smiling).

What is an Australian passport photo code?

A 16-character alphanumeric code issued by approved photo providers in Australia. Most US photo services DO NOT participate in photo code system—use Upload Your Own Photo option at photos.gov.au instead.

Can I upload my own photo to Australian Passport Office?

Yes. Go to photos.gov.au and upload digital photo (JPEG, 420×540px minimum, 50KB-500KB). This is the recommended option for US-based Australians.

Do Australian consulates in the US take passport photos?

No. Most Australian consulates in US do NOT offer passport photo services. Use Upload Your Own Photo ($1.35) or bring 2 printed photos from US photo service ($15-$25).

How to Get Australian Passport Photos in the US (2026 Expat Guide)

Need Australian passport photos while living in the US? Australia requires 35mm × 45mm photos—NOT the standard US 2×2 inch format. This is the #1 mistake US-based Australians make when renewing passports.

Critical for US Expats

If you walk into Walgreens or CVS and ask for “passport photos,” you’ll get US passport photos (51mm × 51mm square)—which are the WRONG size for Australian passports. Wrong dimensions are one of the top rejection reasons.

What Makes Australian Passport Photos Different from US Photos

Key Differences: Australian vs US Passport Photos

Size	Australian: 35mm × 45mm (portrait) \| US: 51mm × 51mm (2×2 in square)
Background	Australian: White or light-colored \| US: White or off-white
Glasses	Australian: NOT allowed (banned 2024) \| US: Allowed (if not obstructing)
Expression	Australian: Neutral (stricter) \| US: Neutral (moderate)
Photo Code	Australian: Optional (photos.gov.au upload) \| US: Not applicable

Australian Passport Photo Size & Dimensions

Australia follows the EU biometric photo standard: 35mm wide × 45mm tall (same format as France, Germany, Spain, Italy, most EU countries).

Comparison with other countries:

Australia	35mm × 45mm \| Head: 32-36mm \| Glasses: No (banned 2024)
United States	51mm × 51mm (2×2 in) \| Head: 25-35mm \| Glasses: Yes
Canada	50mm × 70mm \| Head: 32-36mm \| Glasses: No (banned 2016)
UK	35mm × 45mm \| Head: 29-34mm \| Glasses: No (banned 2016)

Official Source: Australian Passport Office (APO) photo guidelines at passports.gov.au.

Australian Passport Photo Requirements

Background

Background Requirements

Australia requires white or light-colored background. NOT dark grey or blue.

Plain white, cream, or light grey
No patterns, shadows, or textures
Evenly lit (no hot spots)
White is safest (cream/light grey sometimes flagged if too dark)

Non-white backgrounds are one of the most common rejection reasons.

Expression & Pose

Not Allowed

✕ Smiling or showing teeth (25% of rejections)
✕ Closed eyes or looking away
✕ Head turned or tilted

Required

✓ Neutral expression (mouth closed)
✓ Eyes open, looking at camera
✓ Face forward, head centered
✓ No head tilt

Australia is STRICTER than US on smiling—zero tolerance vs. US moderate enforcement.

Glasses Banned (January 2024)

Important: Glasses Policy Changed

Australia banned glasses in passport photos effective January 2024.

No prescription glasses, reading glasses, or sunglasses
You must remove glasses for photo (even if you wear them daily)
Medical exemptions are rarely granted (requires doctor’s certificate + APO approval)

Photo Age & Quantity

Maximum 6 months old from date of application
Must represent current appearance
If appearance changed significantly (weight, hair, facial hair), take new photos

Photo Code vs. Upload Your Own Photo

Photo Code (Limited Availability in US)

16-character alphanumeric code issued by approved photo providers (pharmacies, post offices in Australia).

US Availability

Most US photo services DO NOT participate in Australian photo code system.

Upload Your Own Photo (Recommended for US)

Upload digital photo to photos.gov.au:

Format: JPEG
Resolution: 420×540 pixels minimum
File Size: 50KB-500KB
Processing: Automated validation + manual review within 24 hours

This is the recommended option for US-based Australians (photo code providers not available in US).

Where to Get Australian Passport Photos in the US

Option 1: Australian Consulates

Consulate Services

Most Australian consulates in US do NOT offer passport photo services.

You must either:

Upload Your Own Photo (recommended, $1.35-$1.74)
Bring 2 printed photos (35mm × 45mm) from US photo service ($15-$25)

Option 2: US Photo Services (Walgreens, CVS)

Can do Australian passport photos if you specify 35×45mm format:

Cost: $15-$25
Risk: Staff may be unfamiliar with Australian specs and default to US 2×2 inch format

How to request:

Call ahead: “Can you do 35mm × 45mm Australian passport photos?”
Bring this guide to show exact specs
Verify size BEFORE leaving

Option 3: Professional Studios (US)

Cost: $20-$40
Quality: High (if given correct specs)
Best for: If you’ve had photos rejected before

Option 4: 1 Dollar Passport Photo (BEST VALUE)

Process:

Take photo at home (smartphone + white wall + natural light)
Upload to 1 Dollar Passport Photo
Select “Australia” + “Passport”
AI auto-formats to 35mm × 45mm, white background
Download digital file ($1.35)
Option A: Upload to photos.gov.au (skip printing)
Option B: Print at Walgreens/CVS ($0.39 for 4×6)

Total cost: $1.35-$1.74

Advantages:

Guaranteed 35x45mm Australian specs
photos.gov.au-compliant digital file
Upload directly (skip printing)
Retake anytime for free (if rejected)
Works anywhere in US

Cost Comparison: Australian Passport Photos in US

Service	Cost (USD)	AU 35×45mm?
US Photo Services	$15-$25	Maybe (50-60% success)
Professional Studios (US)	$20-$40	Yes (if given specs)
Australian Photo Code	N/A (not in US)	N/A
1 Dollar Passport Photo	$1.35-$1.74	Yes (guaranteed)

Savings:

vs. US photo services: 89-93% savings ($13-$23 saved)
vs. Professional studios: 91-96% savings ($18-$38 saved)

DIY Australian Passport Photo in 5 Steps

Equipment needed:

Smartphone or camera (8+ megapixels)
Plain white wall
Natural window light or two lamps

Process:

Take photo at home: Smartphone + white wall + natural light
Upload to 1 Dollar Passport Photo: Select Australia + Passport
AI processing: Auto-formats to 35×45mm, white background
Download: Digital file ($1.35)
Option A: Upload to photos.gov.au (recommended, skip printing)
Option B: Print at Walgreens/CVS ($0.39 for 4×6)

Total: $1.35-1.74 | Time: 10-15 minutes

Understanding photos.gov.au (Australia’s Upload System)

photos.gov.au is Australia’s official photo upload portal for passport applications.

How it works:

Upload digital photo (JPEG, 420×540px min, 50-500KB)
Automated system validates dimensions, background, expression
Manual review within 24 hours
Photo approved or rejection reasons provided

Advantages for US expats:

Skip printing (digital only)
Retake easily if rejected
Available from anywhere
Instant upload

Baby & Child Photos (US-Based Families)

Babies (0-2 years)

Tips for US expats:

Lay baby on white sheet on floor (easier than holding upright)
Use natural daylight (softer than flash)
Have parent stand behind camera (baby looks toward familiar face)
Take 20-30 shots (babies move constantly)

Infant leniency:

Slight eye closing tolerated
Mild expression variation OK
Parent’s hands may be visible (will be cropped)

Children (3-17 years)

Same expression rules apply:

Neutral face (mouth closed, no smiling)
Eyes open, looking at camera

Tips:

Explain “serious face” beforehand
Practice before taking photo
Keep session short (children lose patience)
Reward afterward (positive association)

Common Mistakes US Expats Make

Mistake 1: Using US 2x2 Inch Photos

Why it’s wrong: US passport photos are 51mm × 51mm SQUARE. Australian passport photos are 35mm × 45mm RECTANGULAR. Wrong size is one of the most common rejection reasons for Australian expats.

Fix: Specify 35×45mm at photo service OR use 1 Dollar Passport Photo.

Mistake 2: Wearing Glasses

Why it’s wrong: Australia banned glasses effective January 2024. Old policy allowed glasses—new policy does not.

Fix: Remove glasses for photo (even prescription glasses).

Mistake 3: Smiling

Why it’s wrong: Australia has zero tolerance for smiling (stricter than US). Smiling is one of the most common rejection reasons.

Fix: Neutral face, mouth fully closed, no teeth showing.

Mistake 4: Dark Grey or Blue Background

Why it’s wrong: Australia requires white or light-colored background. Non-white backgrounds are a common rejection reason.

Fix: Use plain white background. 1 Dollar Passport Photo auto-converts to white.

Vocabulary: Australian Passport Photo Terms

Understanding Australian passport photo terminology:

Australian Term	US Equivalent	What It Means
35mm × 45mm	N/A (US uses 2×2 in)	EU biometric photo format
Photo code	N/A	16-character digital code from approved providers
photos.gov.au	N/A	Australian Passport Office photo upload portal
APO	N/A	Australian Passport Office
EU biometric format	N/A	35×45mm standard used by most European countries

Official Australian Government Sources:

Australian Passport Office — Photo requirements
Upload Your Own Photo Portal — Digital photo upload system
Australian Consulates in US — Consulate locations, services

Related Guides:

Australia Passport Requirements — Complete specifications
France Passport Photos in US — Similar EU format guide
Germany Passport Photos in US — Another expat guide