Australia Passport Photo
Size & Requirements 2026 · Last updated: 2026-05-11
Photo Specifications
Dimensions
35 × 45 mm
DPI
300
Background
white
Format
JPEG
Max Size
5000 KB
Head Height
64-80%
Photography Guidelines
- 1 Taken within the last 6 months
- 2 Plain white background with no shadows
- 3 Neutral expression with mouth closed
- 4 No glasses
- 5 Face clearly visible with no hair covering the face
- 6 Head coverings only for religious or medical reasons
- 7 Head height 32-36 mm from chin to crown
- 8 Two identical printed copies required for paper applications
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Wearing glasses
Glasses are not allowed in Australian passport photos (policy since 2018)
Mouth open or smiling
Must have a neutral expression with mouth closed
Shadows in photo
No shadows on face or background; ensure even lighting
Wrong head size
Head must be 32-36mm chin-to-crown; too small or too large causes rejection
Photo on paper too thin
Printed photos must be on professional photographic paper, not standard office paper
How to Take Your Photo
Three ways to get a compliant photo — choose what works for you.
DIY at Home
Take it yourself with a camera or smartphone — the cheapest option.
- 1 Stand against a plain, smooth, light-colored wall with even daylight from the front.
- 2 Use a tripod or steady surface so the camera is level with your eyes, ~1.5 m away.
- 3 Wear normal clothes that contrast with the background and remove glasses or hats.
- 4 Keep a neutral expression with closed mouth and both eyes clearly visible.
- 5 Take several shots, pick the sharpest, then crop to the official size and DPI.
- 6 Save as the required file format and check file-size limits before submitting.
Using Your Smartphone
Best lighting, framing, and tips for iPhone and Android.
- 1 Use the rear camera (higher quality) and ask someone else to take the photo.
- 2 Stand 1–1.5 m from a plain wall; turn off flash and use natural daylight.
- 3 Tap to focus on the face and lock exposure so lighting stays consistent.
- 4 Frame head and shoulders so the head fills 50–70% of the height.
- 5 Avoid filters, beauty mode, and HDR — they distort facial features.
- 6 Crop to the exact ratio in a free tool, export at the required DPI.
With Our Online Service
Upload a photo and get a compliant version in seconds.
- 1 Upload any clear, recent photo — selfie or full-body works.
- 2 Our AI auto-detects the face, removes the background, and applies the correct color.
- 3 It crops to the exact official dimensions for your selected document.
- 4 A compliance check flags head size, expression, lighting, and shadow issues.
- 5 Preview the result and retake free if anything looks off.
- 6 Download the digital file or order printed copies.
Price Comparison
Common ways to get a passport photo, side by side.
| Provider | Cost | Delivery | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY at Home | Free | Instant | Requires a printer for hard copies |
| Local Photo Studio | $10–$20 | Same day | Quality varies; not always compliance-checked |
| Pharmacy / Retailer | $10–$15 | Same day | Convenient, but limited retake policies |
| Our Online Service | Free preview | Instant | AI compliance check, free retakes |
Recommended Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Official References
Information on this page is based on the following official sources: