Proof of Age Card in Australia: Guideline

If you live in Australia and have reached the majority age, you may need a proof of age card: a photo ID proving that you are eligible to obtain certain goods and services. Learn more below!

Table of contents

• Proof of age card rules in Australia
• How to get a proof of age card?
• Documents required for the age card application
• Proof of age card photo requirements
• Get a photo for an Australian proof of age card online!
• Proof of age card fee
• Proof of age card validity

Proof of age card rules in Australia

An Australian citizen reaching 18 years of age (starting at 17 years and 11 months) can apply for an age card. As the name implies, the age card proves that its holder has reached a certain age – 18, which gives legal access to age-restricted goods and services such as liquor and gambling.

How to get a proof of age card?

The application to get a proof of age card depends on your state. Below we list some examples.

• In South Australia, you can apply online if you have a driver’s licence or learner’s permit. Otherwise, apply in person at a Service SA centre with the needed documents.
• In Victoria, you must apply at an approved photo point with your application form and required documents, including a referee declaration filled out by someone you know on the electoral roll to confirm your identity.
• In the Northern Territory, you must fill out an application form, collect your supporting documents, and apply at an MVR office.

Documents required for the age card application

As the process varies from state to state, we will list the needed documents for the abovementioned areas.

For South Australia:

• Application form;
• Evidence of identity:
  • Combined identification documents showing full name, date of birth, signature and current South Australian residential address;
  • If you already have a South Australian photographic driver's licence or learner's permit, you may not need to supply full evidence of identity.

For Victoria:

One from each category:

• Category A:
  • Full birth certificate
  • Passport
  • Naturalisation certificate
  • Immigration papers
  • Citizen papers
• Category B:
  • Driver licence or learner permit
  • Security card
  • Credit card or bank passbook
  • Medicare card
  • Shooters licence
  • Student identification card

For Northern Territory: Evidence of identity and residency.

Proof of age card photo requirements

Make sure your photo fulfils the following:

• The photo size must be 35 to 45 mm in weight and 45 to 55 mm in height;
• The background must be light grey or white;
• The photo resolution must be 600 dpi;
• The height of your head (from the chin to the crown) in the picture must be 32 to 36 mm;
• Your eyes must be open and looking straight to the camera;
• Eyeglasses are only allowed for medical purposes. In this case, you must provide a letter from a registered medical practitioner stating the reason. The frame must not obscure your face;
• If you usually wear religious headwear, it is allowed to wear it in the photo. It must not obscure facial features or edges;
• Accessories must not cover any facial features and not produce glares in the photo;
• The picture must have good contrast and lighting, with no dramatic shadows nor blurs or pixelated parts;
• The picture must not be retouched, it may not have red eyes or glares.

Here is an example:

Get a photo for an Australian proof of age card online!

Save time on your age card application by completing your photo professionally online. With Visafoto, you can get a photo for your age card application that’s guaranteed to be accepted without going to a professional photo studio.

Simply take a picture of yourself following the guidelines and upload it to our tool below. No worries about the format, background, sizes, and dimensions: we’ll handle that for you.

Take an image with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here, and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport, or ID.

Besides a digital photo, you will also get a template ready for printing, so you can just print your resulting photo without worrying about formatting.

Proof of age card fee

Again, the fee depends on the state you’re applying from. In South Australia, it is $25. In Victoria, it is $10. In NT, it is $28.

Proof of age card validity

The proof of age card does not expire, as its purpose is simply to prove that its holder is 18 or above and nothing more.