Australian baby passport photo: requirements, tips and how to take one at home
Every Australian citizen, including babies and young children, needs a valid passport for international travel. When applying for an Australian passport for a baby, you must provide two identical passport photos that meet the standard Australian passport photo requirements.
Although babies do not always need to keep the same facial expression as adults, their photos must still follow specific rules regarding size, background, lighting and what can appear in the frame. This guide explains the Australian baby passport photo requirements, where to get a baby passport photo, and how to take one at home.
Table of contents
- Baby passport photo requirements in Australia
- Where can I get an Australian baby passport photo near me?
- How to take an Australian baby passport photo at home
- Get an Australian baby passport photo online
- How to print a baby passport photo in Australia
- How to sign a child's photo for an Australian passport application
In this article, you will find the latest Australian baby passport photo requirements and practical tips for taking a compliant photo of your child without unnecessary stress.
Baby passport photo requirements in Australia
Australian baby passport photos must meet the same basic requirements as adult passport photos, with some exceptions for young children. The Australian Passport Office photo guidelines set out the requirements:
- Provide two identical printed photographs taken less than six months ago.
- Each photo must be 35 to 40 mm wide and 45 to 50 mm high. A 35 × 45 mm photo is within this accepted range.
- The face height, measured from chin to crown, must be between 32 and 36 mm.
- The background must be plain white or light grey, with no objects or shadows.
- Provide colour prints produced using dye sublimation on glossy paper of at least 200 gsm, not inkjet prints.
- Your baby's face must be clearly visible and directed towards the camera.
- Children under three may have their mouths open. This exception does not mean another person or an object can appear in the photo.
- No parent, supporting hand, dummy, toy or blanket edge may appear in the portrait.
- Babies can be photographed lying down, with the camera directly above their face.
- Avoid shadows on the face and background, and choose a sharp, in-focus image.
- Glasses are allowed only if they cannot be removed for medical reasons. Needing prescription glasses to see is not sufficient; any permitted glasses must not obscure the eyes or cause reflections.
- Religious head coverings are permitted if normally worn. They must be plain and leave the entire face visible.
- Older children should look directly at the camera with their eyes open and a neutral expression.
The under-three exception concerns an open mouth; the official guidance does not state a general closed-eyes exemption for babies.
Here is an example of a child's passport photo:
Where can I get an Australian baby passport photo near me?
Parents in Australia can get baby passport photos taken at Australia Post outlets, Officeworks stores and photography studios. The best option depends on your child's age, how comfortable your baby is around strangers, and whether you need help taking the photo.
- Australia Post. Participating Post Offices offer passport and ID photo services, so you can have the photos taken and organise your passport application in the same place. The listed price is AUD 23.50 for six 35 × 45 mm prints.
- Officeworks. Officeworks offers passport and ID photo services. Its advertised price for photos with a certificate is AUD 20.95.
- Professional photographers. A photographer experienced in baby passport photos can help with lighting and positioning, particularly if your child is very young or has difficulty staying still.
Check that your chosen outlet can photograph a baby before visiting. Prices and services can change.
Taking a baby passport photo in a studio or shop can be challenging when your child is unsettled in an unfamiliar place. They may cry, turn their head or struggle to look towards the camera. At home, you can pause for a feed or a cuddle and try again when your baby is comfortable.
Taking the photo yourself also avoids a separate trip to have it taken. An online photo service can help with sizing and preparation before you arrange the required prints.
How to take an Australian baby passport photo at home
Taking your baby's passport photo at home gives you time to work around their routine. Choose a moment when your baby is settled, keep the session short and take several photos rather than trying to get the right shot on the first attempt.
- Lay your baby on their back on a sheet or blanket on the floor and stay beside them. A plain white or light grey surface is useful if you want to photograph the required background directly.
- If you are using Visafoto, the source background does not have to be white or perfectly plain: the service can replace it.
- Hold your camera or smartphone directly above a baby who is lying down. For a child who can sit safely, position the camera at face level. Avoid shooting at an angle or holding the camera too close.
- Keep your baby's face centred and fully visible, with space around the head and shoulders for cropping.
- For children under three, an open mouth is acceptable. Look for a frame with the face turned towards the camera and the eyes clearly visible.
- Use soft daylight where possible. If your home lighting is not ideal, Visafoto can improve lighting and contrast, but the original should still show the face clearly.
- Keep supporting hands, toys, dummies and other objects out of the portrait.
- Take 20 to 60 photos across short, calm attempts, then choose one clear frame. If your baby becomes upset, stop and try again later.
These tips cover newborns and toddlers. The open-mouth exception is specific to children under three, not adult passport photos.
Get an Australian baby passport photo online!
You do not have to arrange a studio visit just to prepare your baby's passport photo. With Visafoto, you can take the picture at home using your smartphone when your baby is calm, then upload a suitable frame and get the prepared files in seconds.
Take plenty of shots, choose one where your baby's face is sharp and unobstructed, and upload that single image. Select Australia and the passport photo format. The source background does not have to be white, and you do not need to crop the photo yourself.
For example, your original photo may look like this:
Visafoto crops and resizes the image to the selected Australian passport format, centres your baby's face and replaces the background. It prepares a digital file and a printable template with individual photos measuring 35 × 45 mm, within Australia's accepted size range.
For paid orders, Visafoto also enhances lighting and resolution. These adjustments can improve a suitable smartphone photo without the setup of a studio. Choose a source image that shows your baby's face clearly: motion blur, closed eyes or a face hidden by a dummy are reasons to select another frame, rather than expect software to recreate missing detail.
If your baby turns away or blinks between shots, you do not need to start the whole session again. Look through the photos you have already taken for one suitable frame. You can pause, settle your baby and continue later if needed.
Visafoto can also prepare a digital file from a clear scan or photograph of an existing print. The source portrait must still be less than six months old and suitable for the child's current passport application.
With every order, you receive:
- A high-resolution digital Australian baby passport photo to save or send to a printing service.
- A printable template for 10 × 15 cm photo paper, containing correctly sized 35 × 45 mm portraits.
- Automatic cropping, background adjustment and image-quality enhancement.
- Access to support and Visafoto's money-back guarantee. Visafoto reports an overall 99.7% acceptance rate across its document-photo services; this is not an Australia-specific rate or a promise of approval for every photo.
Here is what you will receive:
Your child's Australian passport application still needs two printed photos, even if you complete the application form online. Use the template to arrange the required prints before lodging the application, following the printing instructions below.
If you are unsure which source photo to choose or why a frame is unsuitable, contact Visafoto's 24/7 support for help. If a photo purchased from Visafoto is rejected by the passport authority, you can request a 100% refund.
Preparing the photo at home lets you fit this part of the application around your baby's routine and arrive to lodge it with the photos already in hand.
How to print a baby passport photo in Australia
Visafoto provides a template for 10 × 15 cm photo paper, with individual portraits sized for an Australian passport. The paper size is the size of the whole template, not the size of each passport photo.
Ask a photo printing service for dye-sublimation colour prints on glossy paper of at least 200 gsm. A standard home inkjet print does not meet the Australian Passport Office's printing requirement. Confirm the printing process and paper with the provider before ordering.
Print the template at its original size, without automatic scaling, cropping or "fit to page" adjustments. The individual photos must be 35 to 40 mm wide and 45 to 50 mm high, with a chin-to-crown measurement of 32 to 36 mm. Supply two identical prints, and check them for streaks, marks or ink transfer before attaching them to the application.
Where to print out a passport-sized photo in Australia: detailed guidelines.
How to sign a child's photo for an Australian passport application
For a standard child passport application lodged in Australia, the guarantor must sign the back of one photo in black pen and write: "This is a true photo of [your child's full name]". They must also sign section 11 of the application form, as explained in the official child passport instructions.
If your child is under one, the guarantor must have known them since birth. For older children, the published requirement is that the guarantor has known them for more than 12 months. They must also meet the other eligibility conditions on the application form.
Follow the instructions on your child's form, particularly if you are applying overseas or using a different application route. Let the ink dry completely, and keep the signed photo separate from the other print to prevent ink transfer.
Last updated: 6 October 2026.