Australian Passport Photo Requirements: Complete Size & Rules Guide (2026)

Need an Australian passport photo? Whether you’re applying for a new passport, renewing an existing one, or living abroad and need compliant photos, this guide covers everything you need to know about Australian passport photo requirements in 2026.

Australian passport photos follow the standard 35×45mm European format. Getting the size wrong is one of the most common reasons applications get delayed.

Australian Passport Photo Size

The official size requirements for Australian passport photos are:

Width: 35-40mm (standard: 35mm)
Height: 45-50mm (standard: 45mm)
Head height: 32mm to 36mm (chin to crown)
Eye position: Between 28mm and 35mm from the bottom of the photo

This rectangular format must be followed precisely for your application to be accepted.

Head Size Requirements

Your face must take up a specific portion of the photo:

Chin to crown: 32mm to 36mm (about 70-80% of the photo height)
Face centered: Equal space on left and right sides
Top of head: Small gap between crown and top edge of photo

If your face is too small or too large in the frame, your photo will be rejected. This is one of the trickiest requirements to get right when taking photos at home.

Background Requirements

Australian passport photos must have a plain white or light grey background.

Acceptable Backgrounds

✅ Plain white (pure white, #FFFFFF) ✅ Light grey (neutral grey, no tint) ✅ Off-white (very light cream)

Unacceptable Backgrounds

❌ Dark grey or charcoal ❌ Colored backgrounds (blue, beige, etc.) ❌ Patterned or textured backgrounds ❌ Backgrounds with visible shadows ❌ Backgrounds with other objects

The background must contrast with your face — if you have very pale skin, a light grey background may actually work better than pure white.

Expression & Pose Rules

Australian passport photos have strict requirements for your expression and pose:

Expression

Neutral expression — no smiling
Mouth closed (for anyone over 3 years old)
Both eyes open and clearly visible
Looking directly at the camera

Head Position

Face the camera straight on
No tilting or turning your head
Keep your chin level (not up or down)
Both ears should be visible (though hair can cover them)

What to Avoid

❌ Smiling — Even a slight smile can cause rejection ❌ Squinting — Both eyes must be fully open ❌ Looking away — Your gaze must be straight at the camera ❌ Raised eyebrows — Keep a natural, relaxed expression

Glasses Rules: Not Allowed

As of recent years, glasses are not permitted in Australian passport photos. This applies to:

Prescription glasses
Reading glasses
Tinted glasses
Sunglasses
Any eyewear

Medical Exceptions

If you cannot remove your glasses due to a medical condition, you must:

Provide a medical certificate from your doctor, OR
Complete a declaration form explaining why you cannot remove them

Even with a medical exemption, your glasses must not have:

Tinted lenses
Heavy frames that obscure your eyes
Glare or reflections

Pro tip: If you wear glasses regularly, practice your neutral expression without them before taking your photo. The unfamiliar feeling of having no glasses can sometimes cause awkward expressions.

Clothing & Head Coverings

What to Wear

Normal, everyday clothing
Avoid pure white (blends with background)
Solid, darker colors work best
Collared shirts and professional attire are fine

What Not to Wear

❌ Hats or caps — Not allowed ❌ Head coverings (except religious/medical) ❌ Sunglasses or tinted glasses ❌ Headphones or earbuds

Religious Head Coverings

Religious head coverings (hijab, turban, kippah, etc.) are permitted if:

Your full face is visible from chin to forehead
No shadows are cast on your face
The covering doesn’t obscure any facial features

You may be asked to provide a statutory declaration confirming you wear the covering for religious reasons.

Digital Photo Requirements

If you’re applying for an Australian passport online, your digital photo must meet these technical specifications:

File Specifications

Requirement	Specification
File format	JPEG (.jpg)
Minimum size	600×800 pixels
Recommended size	1200×1600 pixels
Maximum file size	3.5MB (3584KB)
Color mode	RGB color

Quality Requirements

Photo must be in focus — no blur
Natural skin tones — no color cast
No red-eye correction visible
No digital editing or filters
No retouching of facial features

The Australian Passport Office specifically prohibits:

Removing moles, scars, or wrinkles
Altering skin texture or tone
Using beauty filters or smoothing effects
Any AI enhancement that changes your appearance

Where to Get Australian Passport Photos

In Australia

Photo Studios

Most shopping center photo studios
Australia Post offices (many locations)
RACV/RACQ member services
Some newsagents with photo services

Typical prices in Australia:

Photo studios: $15-25 AUD for 4 photos
Australia Post: $19.95 AUD (official partner)
Instant photo booths: $15-20 AUD

Outside Australia

If you’re applying from overseas, options include:

One Dollar Passport Photo — Select Australia, get 35×45mm format
Australian embassy or consulate services
Professional photographers (request 35×45mm specifically)
Local photo services that offer international formats

Note that many standard photo services don’t offer Australian passport size by default, so you’ll need a service that specifically supports 35×45mm.

Taking Your Own Australian Passport Photo

You can take your own passport photo at home if you follow these guidelines:

Setup Requirements

Background: Use a plain white or light grey wall
- A white sheet or large paper works as a backdrop
- Avoid textured walls or wallpaper
Lighting: Natural daylight is best
- Face a window for even lighting
- Avoid direct sunlight (causes harsh shadows)
- No flash (can cause red-eye and uneven lighting)
Camera Position:
- Camera at eye level
- 1-2 meters (3-6 feet) away
- Use the back camera of your phone (higher quality)
Tripod or Helper:
- Use a phone tripod with timer, OR
- Have someone else take the photo

Common DIY Mistakes

❌ Selfies — Too close, wrong angle, usually rejected ❌ Using front camera — Lower quality than back camera ❌ Indoor lighting only — Usually too yellow or dim ❌ Flash photos — Creates shadows and red-eye ❌ Cropped group photos — Wrong framing and resolution

Process Your Photo

After taking your photo:

Upload to One Dollar Passport Photo
Select “Australia” → “Passport”
Our AI automatically:
- Adjusts to 35×45mm
- Removes/corrects background
- Checks head size and positioning
- Verifies all requirements
Download digital version or print template

Common Rejection Reasons

Australian passport photos are rejected for several common reasons. Avoid these mistakes:

1. Wrong Size or Framing

Photo not 35×45mm
Head too large or too small
Face not centered

2. Background Issues

Not plain white or light grey
Shadows on background
Patterns or textures visible
Objects in background

3. Expression Problems

Smiling or mouth open
Eyes not fully open
Looking away from camera
Raised eyebrows

4. Glasses

Wearing any type of glasses
Sunglasses or tinted lenses
Glare from lenses

5. Technical Quality

Blurry or out of focus
Poor lighting
Over or underexposed
Red-eye visible

6. Digital Editing

Filtered or retouched
Moles/scars removed
Skin smoothing applied
Color corrections that alter appearance

7. Photo Too Old

Must be taken within 6 months
Must represent current appearance

Children’s Passport Photos

Baby and children’s passport photos follow the same 35×45mm format, with a few accommodations:

For Babies Under 1 Year

Eyes must be open
Mouth can be slightly open (hard to control)
No toys, pacifiers, or other objects
Only the child in the photo
Can be photographed lying down with white backdrop underneath

For Children 1-3 Years

Eyes must be open
Mouth can be slightly open
Neutral expression encouraged but some tolerance
No hands near face

For Children Over 3 Years

Same rules as adults apply
Neutral expression required
Mouth must be closed
Both eyes fully open

Tips for photographing young children:

Natural light during their best mood time
Have a helper behind the camera to get their attention
Take many photos — you only need one good one
For babies: lay them on a white sheet and photograph from above

Passport Photo vs Other Australian ID Photos

Different Australian documents have slightly different photo requirements:

Document	Size	Background	Glasses
Passport	35×45mm	White/light grey	No
Driver’s License	Varies by state	Usually grey	Usually yes
Proof of Age Card	35×45mm	Varies	Varies
Citizenship Certificate	45×35mm	White	No

If you need photos for multiple documents, it’s usually easiest to get compliant passport photos — they’re the strictest standard and often acceptable for other documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is an Australian passport photo?

Australian passport photos must be 35mm wide × 45mm high (or up to 40×50mm). Your face should measure 32-36mm from chin to crown.

Can I wear glasses in my Australian passport photo?

No. Glasses are not allowed in Australian passport photos. If you cannot remove glasses for medical reasons, you need a medical certificate or must complete a declaration form.

What background color is required?

The background must be plain white or light grey with no patterns, shadows, or textures. It should contrast with your face.

How long is an Australian passport photo valid?

Australian passport photos must be taken within the last 6 months and must accurately represent your current appearance. If you’ve significantly changed your appearance (new hairstyle, weight change, etc.), get a new photo.

Can I smile in my Australian passport photo?

No. You must have a neutral expression with your mouth closed and both eyes open. Even a slight smile can cause rejection.

How much do Australian passport photos cost?

In Australia, expect to pay $15-25 AUD for professional photos. At Australia Post, photos cost $19.95 AUD. Using One Dollar Passport Photo costs just $1 USD for digital download, plus printing costs at any photo printer.

Where can I get Australian passport photos outside Australia?

Many standard photo services only offer their local passport photo sizes. Use One Dollar Passport Photo to create correct 35×45mm photos, then print at any photo service. Alternatively, contact Australian consulates or international photo studios that offer various passport formats.

Get Your Australian Passport Photo

Need a compliant Australian passport photo? One Dollar Passport Photo makes it easy:

Take a photo with your phone
Select Australia → Passport
Our AI adjusts to 35×45mm and checks all requirements
Download your digital photo or print template

Works worldwide — perfect for Australians abroad or anyone applying for an Australian visa.

Create Your Australian Passport Photo →