Printed photo
Photo size35–40 mm wide × 45–50 mm high
Face / age32–36 mm from chin to crown
Print and qualityGood-quality colour print; dye sublimation, not inkjet; heavy-weight glossy paper of at least 200 gsm.
Australia passport photo guide
Australian Passport Photo Requirements
Use this Australian passport photo guide to check the current print size, face height, background, lighting, expression, digital-tool limits and print-quality rules before lodging an application.
The Australian Passport Office is the authority for your application. Rules can change, and only the issuing authority can accept or reject a photo.
Create an Australian Passport Photo
Upload a clear portrait and review a free 35 × 45 mm Australian passport photo preview. Pay only when you want the processed final JPG.
Step 1 / 4
Select the Australian passport preset
- 1. Country or region
- Australia
- 2. Document type
- Passport
Technical output preset
Loading the Australia preset...
AI-generated visual comparison, not an actual processing result. The selected preset controls the final dimensions and export format.
The tool applies automatic crop and background processing. Australian guidance restricts retouching and background removal, so use the output only when your receiving authority or photo provider confirms this workflow. This service handles the stated size and image processing only; final acceptance is decided by the issuing authority.
Official-rule check
Australian passport photo requirements go beyond size
Australian passport photos are printed biometric identity photos. Correct dimensions do not fix an altered background, unsuitable lighting, a hidden facial feature or the wrong print process.
- Verify the current Australian Passport Office page immediately before capture and submission.
- Use a professional passport photo provider where possible; official guidance does not recommend online passport photo services or mobile apps.
- Do not digitally retouch the face, remove the background, smooth skin, remove red-eye or use portrait-mode effects.
- Treat every image on this page as an educational illustration, not an official acceptance sample.
Choose the route first
Choose your Australian passport photo route
Australian passport photo requirements must be matched to where you are applying and which local passport office or mission will receive the application.
Step 01
Applying in Australia
Start with a professional provider that understands Australian passport specifications and can produce dye-sublimation prints.
Step 02
Australian passport photos in USA
Follow the Australian Embassy in the USA instructions and use Australian measurements. A standard US 2 × 2 inch passport photo is not automatically interchangeable.
Step 03
Taking the photo at home
Only use a home-capture route when the relevant Australian mission allows it. Another person must take the photo; do not use a selfie.
Step 04
Print and inspect
Keep the original image unaltered, use the required print method, and inspect both photos for marks, pixels, streaks and other defects.
Dimensions and output
Australian passport photo size and print specifications
Australian passport photo requirements include these printed dimensions, but the figures do not replace pose, quality, visibility and authenticity checks.
Photo recency
Photo size2 matching photos
Face / ageLess than 6 months old
Print and qualityThe image must show the applicant's current appearance and remain clear, in focus and free from marks or red-eye.
Overseas printing
Photo sizeLeave enough outside area for compliant trimming
Face / ageKeep the same 32–36 mm face height
Print and qualityFollow the local Australian mission's provider and printing instructions; do not assume another country's passport format is interchangeable.
Australia uses a size range rather than a single 35 × 45 mm finished value. Do not stretch the image or calculate pixels as a substitute for the printed measurements.
Digital-tool limits
Australian passport photo checker and digital file guidance
Separate technical output checks from the official decision about a printed biometric photo.
The tool on this page creates a free 35 × 45 mm preview and a paid final JPG. It cannot verify the physical print, dye-sublimation process, paper weight, photo age, guarantor endorsement or every pose and visibility rule.
The national Australian Passport Office guidance describes 2 printed photos and does not recommend online passport photo services or mobile apps. If an Australian embassy, consulate or professional provider gives you a digital-to-print workflow, follow that location-specific instruction and keep the original unedited file.
What to check outside the tool
- Measure the finished print and the chin-to-crown face height; do not rely on pixels alone.
- Confirm that the original was taken against a real plain light background and was not retouched.
- Inspect the printing method, glossy paper, colour, focus, marks, shadows and reflections.
- Use the receiving authority's current instructions as the final decision source.
What the checker can do
It can prepare the supported 35 × 45 mm technical preset and show the generated JPG preview before checkout.
- Select Australia and Passport as a supported combination.
- Apply the configured 413 × 531 px, 300 dpi output preset.
- Show the processed preview and selected output details.
What the checker cannot certify
It is not connected to the Australian Government and does not issue a compliance score or acceptance decision.
- It cannot prove that a physical print falls within the full 35–40 × 45–50 mm range.
- It cannot approve facial expression, medical exceptions, endorsements or printing materials.
- Automatic crop or background processing is not proof that the result meets Australia's no-retouching rule.
Use a professional passport photo provider or another process confirmed by the receiving authority; do not infer suitability from dimensions alone.
Appearance and image quality
Australian passport photo rules for pose, background and accessories
A usable biometric photo keeps the face natural, visible and consistently lit without post-capture alteration.
Face the camera straight on with the head level and the face centred. The edges of the face must remain visible, and hair must not obscure the eyes or the sides of the face.
Anyone over 3 years old must have eyes open and a neutral expression. Avoid smiling, laughing, frowning or a subtle posed expression.
Quality checks
- Use a plain white or light grey physical background that contrasts with the face.
- Use uniform lighting that shows natural skin tone without shadows, reflections or overexposed areas.
- Keep the image clear and in focus, with no red-eye, printing lines, compression damage or reduced resolution.
- Do not tilt, rotate, stretch, retouch or digitally enhance the photo.
Glasses, hearing aids and earbuds
Glasses must be removed unless they cannot be removed for medical reasons. Vision impairment by itself is not an acceptable reason.
- If a medical reason applies, frames must not cover the eyes and lenses must have no reflection.
- A normally worn hearing aid may remain.
- AirPods and other wireless earbuds are not hearing aids and must be removed.
Religious head coverings
A head covering normally worn for religious reasons may remain, but it must be plain and free from patterns.
- Show the full face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead.
- Keep both side edges of the face visible.
- Avoid shadows cast by the covering.
Jewellery, piercings and hair
Items you normally wear are only suitable when they leave the necessary facial features completely visible.
- Keep jewellery and piercings away from the eyes, mouth and nose.
- Remove or reposition reflective items.
- Keep hair clear of the eyes, eyelids and face edges.
The issuing authority may request a replacement photo even when it was taken by a professional provider.
Capture workflow
How to take and print an Australian passport photo
Use this sequence only after checking the current instructions for the place where you will lodge the application.
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1. Confirm the receiving authority
Determine whether you are lodging in Australia or through an Australian embassy or consulate overseas.
- Open the current Australian Passport Office photo page.
- If overseas, also open the local mission's passport photo instructions.
- Confirm whether a provider, appointment or special overseas printing route is recommended.
Do not reuse US, visa, citizenship or ID photo specifications simply because the photos look similar.
02 / 04
2. Set up a real background and even light
Use a plain light physical background and place the camera far enough away to avoid facial distortion. Australian guidance for applicants in the United States recommends at least 1.5 metres for a home-capture setup.
- Have another person operate the camera; do not take a selfie.
- Hold a phone horizontally when following the cited overseas home-capture guidance.
- Keep the face and background evenly lit without a shadow behind the head.
03 / 04
3. Capture an unaltered original
Take several high-quality frames with the applicant looking straight at the camera and keep the original file unchanged.
- Do not use portrait mode, filters, face reshaping, skin smoothing or background removal.
- Do not crop so tightly that the printer cannot produce the required head and photo measurements.
- Choose the sharpest frame with natural colour and fully visible facial edges.
The tool applies automatic crop and background processing. Australian guidance restricts retouching and background removal, so keep the original and use the output only when the receiving authority or photo provider confirms that workflow.
04 / 04
4. Print, measure and inspect both copies
Use a provider capable of the required dye-sublimation output and glossy paper, then check the physical prints.
- Measure the finished width, height and chin-to-crown face height.
- Inspect for ink marks, streaks, dots, pixels, scratches, glare and altered hair edges.
- Bring 2 matching good-quality photos with the application.
Educational comparison
Australian passport photo examples: what to check
These AI-generated examples explain visible problems only. They are not Australian Government samples and cannot prove acceptance.
Head position and framing
Better starting point
Head level, face centred, full hair and shoulders visible with enough space for the required printed crop.
Problem to correct
Head visibly tilted and the frame cropped too tightly around the hair and shoulders.
Background and shadow
Better starting point
Plain light background, even illumination and no hard shadow behind the head.
Problem to correct
Textured wall and a strong directional shadow behind the head and across the face.
Eyes and facial visibility
Better starting point
Eyes and face edges are clearly visible without reflective accessories.
Problem to correct
Strong lens glare hides the eyes and loose hair enters the eye area.
Use the Australian Passport Office's current acceptable and unacceptable photo examples for the authoritative visual comparison.
Pre-submission review
Common Australian passport photo failures and corrections
When a photo misses a rule, start again from the cleanest stage instead of trying to hide the problem with editing.
Problem: 01. Finished print outside 35–40 × 45–50 mm
Why it matters: The physical photo does not match the published Australian size range.
Safer correction: Ask the provider to reprint at the correct physical dimensions.
Problem: 02. Face height outside 32–36 mm
Why it matters: The biometric framing is too close or too far away.
Safer correction: Use an uncropped original and have the provider reframe and reprint it.
Problem: 03. Inkjet print or unsuitable paper
Why it matters: The output does not meet the specified dye-sublimation and paper-quality standard.
Safer correction: Use a provider with the correct printing equipment and glossy paper.
Problem: 04. Background removed or digitally cleaned
Why it matters: Post-capture alteration is prohibited and can create unnatural edges.
Safer correction: Return to an unedited original taken against the correct physical background.
Problem: 05. Head tilt, expression or hidden face edge
Why it matters: The image is less suitable for biometric face matching.
Safer correction: Reposition the applicant and take a new frame.
Problem: 06. Glare, shadow, blur or print streaks
Why it matters: Important facial detail or print quality is lost.
Safer correction: Correct the physical lighting or printing setup, then recapture or reprint.
A provider cannot guarantee acceptance. The Australian Passport Office may request new photos during lodging or assessment.
Exceptions and age rules
Children under 3 and medical exemptions
Do not apply the adult expression rule without checking the published age and medical exceptions.
Children under 3 years old
- The child's mouth may be open.
- No parent, hand, toy or other person may be visible in the photo.
- Keep the face visible and use a plain allowed background.
- Use the same print-size and quality checks unless the official page states otherwise.
Applicants aged 3 and over
- Face the camera straight on.
- Keep eyes open and use a neutral expression.
- Keep hair clear of the eyes and face edges.
- Follow the same accessory, background and print rules as other applicants.
Medical reason affects a rule
- Do not invent an exception or edit around the condition.
- Provide a medical certificate or complete the official B-11 explanation form where required.
- Contact the Australian Passport Office if the correct evidence is unclear.
Glasses for a medical reason
- Vision impairment alone is not sufficient.
- Frames must not cover the eyes.
- Lenses must not show reflections.
- Confirm the evidence expected for the application.
For detailed infant preparation and safety tips, see the published infant passport photo requirements page, then return to the Australian authority for the final country rule.
Final control
Australian passport photo requirements checklist
Complete every relevant check against the latest official instructions immediately before lodging the application.
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Source and application route
Framing and appearance
Background, authenticity and print
Official sources
Official Australian passport photo requirements sources
This page shows only data verified against the authority pages listed below.
apo-photo
Australian Passport Office — Passport photos
Checked: 2026-08-13
usa-photo
Australian Embassy in the USA — Passport photos
Checked: 2026-08-13
usa-samples
Australian Embassy in the USA — Passport photo samples
Checked: 2026-08-13
adult-passport
Australian Passport Office — Adult passport
Checked: 2026-08-13
guarantor
Australian Passport Office — Guarantors, referees and witnesses
Checked: 2026-08-13
FAQ
Australian passport photo requirements FAQ
Direct answers to current questions about size, clothing, makeup, photo endorsement and digital checker limits.
Verify before lodging
Recheck Australian passport photo requirements before lodging
Use the official source list for the current rules, then complete the checklist against the physical prints you will submit.
PassportSizePhoto.ai is an independent third-party information service and is not affiliated with the Australian Government, an embassy, a consulate or a passport office. Only the issuing authority can decide whether a photo is accepted.