Getting your Australian passport photo right the first time is essential to avoid delays in your passport application. This comprehensive guide covers all official Australian passport photo requirements for 2026, helping you create a compliant photo that will be accepted by the Australian Passport Office.
Official Australian Passport Photo Size
Australian passport photos follow the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standard with specific size requirements:
- Photo dimensions: 35 x 45 mm
- Face height: 32-36 mm from chin to crown of head
- Head must be centred in the frame
- Full front view of the face required
- Resolution: High quality with no pixelation
- File format: JPEG for digital submissions
Our main editor makes U.S. passport and visa photos only. For an Australian 35x45 mm photo, use our sister tool PassportPhoto: it has an Australia passport preset and makes the photo on your device.
Background Requirements
Australian passport photos have specific background requirements:
- Colour: Plain white only
- No patterns, textures, or designs
- No shadows on the background
- No other people or objects visible
- Consistent colour throughout (no gradients)
- Background must be in sharp focus
Photos with shadows, patterns, or non-white backgrounds will be rejected. Ensure even lighting to avoid shadows.
Face and Expression Requirements
Your face must be clearly visible and meet these requirements:
- Face directly toward the camera
- Neutral expression with mouth closed
- Both eyes open and clearly visible
- No squinting or closed eyes
- Head straight (not tilted or turned)
- Full face visible from hairline to chin
- Natural skin tones with no filters
Glasses Policy - No Glasses Allowed
As of recent updates, glasses are NOT allowed in Australian passport photos. This includes:
- Prescription eyeglasses
- Reading glasses
- Tinted glasses or sunglasses
- Transition lenses
- Decorative glasses
- Contact lenses are permitted (except coloured contacts)
You must remove all glasses for your Australian passport photo. There are no exceptions, even for prescription glasses worn daily.
Clothing and Head Coverings
- Wear normal, everyday clothing
- Avoid uniforms unless required for religious reasons
- Religious head coverings are permitted if worn daily
- Head coverings for medical reasons are permitted with documentation
- Your full face from forehead to chin must be visible
- Remove headphones, earbuds, or Bluetooth devices
- Hair accessories should not obscure the face
Lighting Requirements
Proper lighting is essential for a compliant Australian passport photo:
- Even lighting on both sides of the face
- No shadows on the face or background
- No red-eye from flash
- Not overexposed or underexposed
- Natural skin tones without colour casts
Photo Quality Standards
- Photo must be in colour (not black and white)
- Sharp focus with no blur
- High quality with no visible pixels
- Printed on photo-quality paper (for physical submissions)
- No digital alterations to your appearance
- No filters, beauty modes, or editing effects
Do not use filters or beauty mode on your phone camera. Photos that appear digitally altered will be rejected.
Baby and Child Photo Requirements
Photos of babies and children must meet most standard requirements with some allowances:
- Child must be photographed alone
- No parent's hands, toys, or dummies visible
- Eyes should be open (some allowance for newborns)
- White background required
- Can be photographed lying on a plain white sheet
- Expression requirements are less strict for babies
Common Reasons Australian Passport Photos Get Rejected
- Glasses worn in photo
- Incorrect size or head proportion
- Non-white or patterned background
- Shadows on face or background
- Blurry or pixelated quality
- Face not centred or tilted
- Eyes closed or not visible
- Too dark or overexposed
- Filters or digital alterations
- Photo older than 6 months
Digital Photo Requirements
For online Australian passport applications:
- File format: JPEG only
- Minimum dimensions: 600 pixels wide
- Maximum file size: 5MB
- No borders, frames, or timestamps
- Photo must be unaltered and high quality
How to Create a Compliant Australian Passport Photo
Our main editor does not have an Australian preset yet. Our sister tool PassportPhoto does. It will:
- Crop your photo to 35x45 mm with the Australia preset
- Export a JPEG for upload or a 4x6 print sheet for printing
- Run on your device, without uploading the photo
- Leave the background as you shot it, so use a plain white wall
Create a compliant Australian passport photo now
Create Your Australian Passport Photo FreeWhere to Get Australian Passport Photos
You have several options for obtaining Australian passport photos:
- Australia Post outlets
- Photo booths in shopping centres
- Professional photography studios
- Chemist/pharmacy photo services
- Officeworks print centres
- DIY at home with PassportPhoto's Australia preset
Taking your passport photo at home saves money and allows you to retake photos until you're satisfied with the result.
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