Australia Passport Photo Requirements
When applying for an Australian passport, you must submit two identical printed passport photos that meet the Australian Passport Office's requirements. Your photo must comply with specific rules covering its size, quality, background, lighting, facial expression and head position.
Australian passport and visa photos share many of the same requirements, including the standard 35 × 45 mm size. However, you should always check the photo requirements for the specific document you are applying for.
This guide explains the current Australian passport photo requirements, including photo size, background, clothing, glasses, passport photos for babies and children, and how to create a compliant passport photo online.
Table of contents
- Australian passport photo format and size
- Background
- Colour and lighting
- Pose and facial expression
- Clothing
- Can I wear glasses in an Australian passport photo?
- Can I wear jewellery or hearing aids in an Australian passport photo?
- What paper should Australian passport photos be printed on?
- Visa and passport photo requirements for babies and infants
- Get an Australian passport photo online
- Australia: passport photo guidelines
Where can I find an Australian passport photo near me? Use this link to instantly get an passport photo online.
Australian passport photo format and size
An Australian passport photo must measure 35 mm wide × 45 mm high. The height of the face, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (excluding hair), must be between 32 mm and 36 mm.
The photo must be printed on high-quality glossy photo paper and submitted as two identical printed photographs. Make sure the photo is printed at the correct size without resizing or cropping.
Below is an example of a compliant Australian passport photo:
Background
The background must be plain white or light grey, with no patterns, shadows or visible objects. It should contrast clearly with your face and clothing.
Colour and lighting
The photo must be in colour, sharp and well exposed, with even lighting across the face. Avoid shadows on the face or background, and make sure your facial features and the edges of your face are clearly visible.
Pose and facial expression
Look directly at the camera with a neutral expression, both eyes open and your mouth closed. Your hair must not cover your eyes or the edges of your face. For children under 3 years old, the mouth may be open and a neutral expression is not always required.
Clothing
There is no official dress code for Australian passport photos. Wear everyday clothing that contrasts with the background and does not cast shadows around your neck or jaw.
Hats, caps and other fashion headwear are not permitted. Religious head coverings are allowed if they are normally worn for religious reasons and do not cover any part of the face.
What to Wear for a Passport Photo? Detailed Passport Photo Dress Code
Can I wear glasses in an Australian passport photo?
Yes, prescription glasses are permitted if you normally wear them. However, the Australian Passport Office recommends removing them where possible, as reflections, glare or frames obscuring the eyes may cause the photo to be rejected. Sunglasses, tinted lenses and transition lenses with visible tint are not permitted.
Can I wear jewellery or hearing aids in an Australian passport photo?
Jewellery is allowed provided it does not obscure your eyes, nose, mouth or the edges of your face, and does not create reflections. Hearing aids may also be worn if they are normally used. AirPods and other wireless earbuds are not permitted.
What paper should Australian passport photos be printed on?
Australian passport photos must be printed on high-quality glossy photo paper. Make sure the photos are printed at their original size (35 × 45 mm) without resizing or cropping. Ordinary office paper and home document prints are not suitable for passport applications.
Visa and passport photo requirements for babies and infants
Australian passport photos for babies and young children follow the same basic requirements as adult passport photos, but there are a few important exceptions. Children under 3 years old may have their mouths open, and a neutral facial expression is not required. However, the baby's face should still be clearly visible and directed towards the camera as far as reasonably possible.
No parent, supporting hand, dummy, toy, bottle, blanket edge or any other object may appear in the photo. Babies may be photographed lying on a plain white or light grey surface, provided the lighting is even and the background is free of shadows.
For a complete guide, including photo examples, home photography tips and instructions on printing and signing child's passport photos, see our article: Australia baby passport photo.
Get an Australian passport photo online
You don't need to visit a photo studio to get a compliant Australian passport photo. With Visafoto, you can take a picture with your smartphone or camera at home and turn it into a passport-ready photo in just a few seconds.
Simply upload your photo, even if it was taken against a non-compliant background. Visafoto automatically crops the image to the correct size, centres your face, replaces the background with one that meets Australian requirements and prepares both a digital photo and a printable template.
Source
Result
If needed, the photo is further enhanced to improve its quality. Visafoto automatically adjusts lighting, corrects framing, enhances image resolution and makes the final result look as though it was taken in a professional photo studio. Even if your original photo was taken in less-than-ideal lighting or with a smartphone camera, the service can significantly improve its appearance.
You can also upload a scan or even a photo of an existing printed passport photo. Visafoto enhances the image quality and resolution, producing a result that looks much closer to the original photograph than a typical scan.
With every order, you receive:
- a high-resolution digital Australian passport photo suitable for online applications;
- a printable template for standard 10 × 15 cm (4 × 6 in) glossy photo paper;
- automatic image enhancement and quality improvement;
- a photo backed by Visafoto's 99.7% acceptance rate and a money-back guarantee if it is not accepted by the authorities.
You'll also receive a printable template formatted for standard 10 × 15 cm (4 × 6 in) glossy photo paper, making it inexpensive to print your passport photos at most photo printing services.
Use Visafoto to create:
Australia: passport photo guidelines
- Take a photo with a smartphone or camera. Ask someone else to take the picture or use a tripod instead of taking a selfie.
- Face the camera directly with a neutral expression, both eyes open and your mouth closed (children under 3 years old are exempt from this requirement).
- Make sure your face is fully visible and your hair does not cover your eyes or the edges of your face.
- Upload the photo to Visafoto, which automatically crops it to the correct size, replaces the background and enhances the image quality.
- Download both a high-resolution digital passport photo and a printable template ready for 10 × 15 cm (4 × 6 in) glossy photo paper.
Visafoto is available 24/7 and automatically enhances lighting, framing and image quality after payment. Even if your original photo was taken in less-than-ideal lighting or from an existing printed photo or scan, the service can significantly improve the final result.
Every order is backed by Visafoto's 99.7% acceptance rate and a 100% money-back guarantee if your photo is not accepted by the authorities.
Take an Australia passport photo now
Last update: July 2026