Australia Passport Photo Maker Online - Official Size & Requirements

Q: What is the Australian passport photo size in inches?

The Australian passport photo measures approximately 1.38 inches wide by 1.77 inches tall. The required head height of 32-36mm equals 1.26-1.42 inches.

Q: Can I submit a digital passport photo in Australia?

Most applications require two printed photos at an Australia Post outlet. Some renewals support digital upload through the official online system with a minimum of 600x750 pixels.

Q: Can I take an Australian passport photo with my mobile phone?

Yes. Use the rear camera, good natural lighting, and a plain background. A passport photo tool can then resize and format the image to meet official requirements.

Q: Can I wear glasses in my Australian passport photo?

No. Since 1 July 2018, eyeglasses are not permitted. The only exception is for a documented medical condition supported by a signed letter from a registered medical practitioner.

Q: How recent must my Australian passport photo be?

Your photo must be taken within the last 6 months and clearly show your current appearance.

Q: Is the Australian passport photo the same size as the UK passport photo?

Both use the same 35x45mm dimensions, but background colour rules and head height ranges differ. Australia accepts white or light grey backgrounds; UK requires light grey only.

Q: How should I print my Australian passport photo?

Print on professional glossy or matte photo paper at a chemist, photo lab, or Australia Post.

Q: Do children need to meet the same passport photo requirements?

Yes. Children, including infants, must meet the same requirements for size, background, and expression.

Tool Ready

Create an Australian Passport Photo in Minutes

Our Passport Photo Maker is pre-configured with the official Australian passport photo specifications used by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Upload a clear front-facing photo of yourself, and the tool automatically detects your face, resizes, crops, and adjusts the background to the official 35×45mm Australian passport size. You get a print-ready 4×6 layout and a high-resolution digital JPEG — both compliant for submission at Australia Post or online through the Australian Passport Office renewal portal.

Create Australia Passport Photo

Australia Passport Photo Requirements

The Australian Passport Office, operating under DFAT, sets strict standards for photos submitted with new applications, renewals, and emergency travel documents. These rules apply equally to adult passports, child passports, and overseas travel documents. Below is the complete breakdown of official Australian passport photo requirements.

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Official Government Source

All specifications on this page are based on guidelines published by the Australian Passport Office (DFAT). View official requirements at passports.gov.au →

Requirement	Specification
Photo size	35mm × 45mm
Width	35 mm (1.38 inches)
Height	45 mm (1.77 inches)
Background	Plain light grey or white — no patterns, no shadows
Head height	32 mm to 36 mm from chin to crown
Head positioning	Centred, facing camera directly, level shoulders
Facial expression	Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and visible
Glasses	Not allowed (since 1 July 2018)
Head covering	Only for religious or documented medical reasons
Clothing	Everyday clothes, no uniforms; contrast with background
Photo age	Taken within the last 6 months
Quantity (printed)	2 identical printed photos
Minimum resolution	600 × 750 pixels for digital submission
File format	JPEG, high quality, sRGB colour space
Print quality	Professional photo paper, no creases or marks

Background Requirements

Australia accepts plain light grey or plain white backgrounds only. Coloured walls, visible furniture, shadow gradients, or patterned surfaces are grounds for immediate rejection. Stand roughly one metre away from the wall to prevent shadows forming behind your head.

Facial Expression and Eyes

Both eyes must be fully open and clearly visible. No hair across the eyes or eyebrows. Maintain a neutral expression with your mouth closed — no smiling, raised eyebrows, or squinting.

Glasses Rule

Since 1 July 2018, the Australian Passport Office no longer accepts photos with eyeglasses of any kind — including prescription frames, reading glasses, and tinted lenses. Remove all eyewear before taking the photo. A medical exception exists only with a signed letter from a registered practitioner.

Australia Passport Photo Size in Inches

The official Australian passport photo dimensions are specified in millimetres, but many home printers and photo labs in Australia and overseas use inch measurements. Here is the exact conversion:

35 mm Width = 1.38 inches

45 mm Height = 1.77 inches

32–36 mm Head height = 1.26–1.42 inches

When printing at home or ordering from a photo lab, select the 35×45mm (approximately 1.38×1.77 inch) size. Our tool automatically outputs files at the correct pixel dimensions — you do not need to calculate anything manually.

Australia Passport Photo Size Diagram

The diagram below illustrates the official Australian passport photo dimensions, showing the required 35×45mm frame and the acceptable head height range of 32mm to 36mm from chin to crown.

Diagram shows the official 35×45mm Australian passport photo frame and the 32–36mm head height zone as specified by DFAT.

Australia Passport Photo Quick Checklist

Use this checklist before submitting your photo to the Australian Passport Office or Australia Post. All items must be satisfied for your application to be accepted.

Pre-Submission Checklist

Photo is exactly 35mm × 45mm
Head height is between 32mm and 36mm
Background is plain white or light grey
No shadows on face or background
Neutral expression, mouth closed
Both eyes open and clearly visible
No glasses of any kind
No hat or head covering (unless religious/medical)
No hair covering eyes or eyebrows
Face centred and looking straight at camera
Photo taken within the last 6 months
Printed on professional photo paper
No creases, marks, or folds
High resolution — min 600×750 px for digital
Two identical copies for paper application

How to Create an Australia Passport Photo Online

Creating a compliant photo at home is quick when you use the right tool. Our Australia passport photo maker handles the technical adjustments — resizing, background correction, head detection — automatically.

1

Take or Upload a Photo

Use a smartphone or camera against a plain wall with good natural light, then upload the image directly.

2

Automatic Face Detection

Our tool detects your face, checks positioning, and verifies that the head height is within the 32–36mm required range.

3

Background Correction

The system removes shadows and corrects the background to a compliant plain light grey or white.

4

Auto Crop to 35×45mm

The photo is cropped exactly to the official Australian passport photo size with correct head proportions.

5

Download Digital and Print Files

Download a high-resolution digital JPEG and a print-ready 4×6 layout with multiple copies on one sheet.

6

Print or Submit Online

Print at home, at a chemist, or Australia Post — or use the digital file for online passport renewal.

When You Need an Australian Passport Photo

A compliant 35×45mm photo is required in more situations than just applying for a new passport. The same specifications apply across these common scenarios.

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New Passport Application

First-time applicants must submit two printed photos at Australia Post or a passport office.

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Passport Renewal

Renewal applications — paper or online — require a fresh photo taken within the last 6 months.

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Child Passport

Children's passports require the same photo specifications as adult passports, including infants.

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Emergency Travel Document

Emergency passports and travel documents issued by Australian embassies also require this size.

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Australian Visa Applications

Many Australian visas — tourist, student, work — also require a 35×45mm photo. See our Australia visa photo guide.

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Government ID Documents

Some Australian government ID applications, including immiCards and certain state IDs, use this photo format.

Australia vs US vs UK Passport Photo: Key Differences

Australian passport photo requirements differ from American and British standards in several important ways. If you are applying for multiple passports or a visa, use the comparison below to understand what changes between each country.

Feature	🇦🇺 Australia	🇺🇸 United States	🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Photo size	35×45 mm	2×2 inch (51×51 mm)	35×45 mm
Head height	32–36 mm	25–35 mm (1–1.375 in)	29–34 mm
Background	White or light grey	White only	Light grey only
Glasses	Not allowed	Not allowed	Not allowed
Neutral expression	Required	Required	Required
Photo validity	6 months	6 months	1 month
Copies required	2 identical	2 identical	1 only
Issued by	DFAT / Australian Passport Office	US Department of State	HM Passport Office

The most important difference is photo size. US passport photos are square at 2×2 inches (51×51mm), while Australian and UK photos use the same 35×45mm rectangular format. However, the head height and background colour requirements differ between Australia and the UK — so do not assume the same photo is automatically cross-compatible.

Common Reasons Australian Passport Photos Get Rejected

Thousands of Australian passport applications are delayed each year because of non-compliant photos. Knowing the most common rejection reasons helps you avoid a return trip to Australia Post.

Incorrect Dimensions

Photos that are not exactly 35×45mm or have the wrong head height ratio are rejected. The head must measure 32 to 36mm from chin to crown.

Poor or Uneven Lighting

Overexposed, underexposed, or unevenly lit photos fail DFAT standards. Use soft, diffused, frontal lighting and avoid harsh direct sunlight.

Head Position Issues

Tilted heads, turned faces, or off-centre positioning cause immediate rejection. Face the camera directly with level shoulders.

Visible Shadows

Shadows on your face or the wall behind you are one of the most frequent rejection reasons. Stand away from the wall and use diffused light.

Low Image Quality

Blurry, pixelated, or heavily compressed images are not acceptable. Always use your smartphone's rear camera in good lighting.

Non-Compliant Background

Coloured, patterned, or textured backgrounds are rejected. Only plain light grey or plain white backgrounds are valid.

Non-Neutral Expression

Smiling, raised eyebrows, open mouth, or squinting leads to rejection. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth firmly closed.

Outdated Photo

Photos older than 6 months, or photos that do not reflect your current appearance, will be rejected by the Australian Passport Office.

Tips for Taking a Better Australian Passport Photo at Home

A compliant photo starts with preparation. These practical steps will help you capture an acceptable image on the first attempt and avoid an extra trip to the chemist.

Use natural window light. Stand facing a large window mid-morning or mid-afternoon. Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh facial shadows.
Choose a clean, plain wall. A light grey or white wall without artwork, power sockets, or visible texture works best.
Stand one metre from the wall. This eliminates shadow build-up directly behind your head.
Hold the camera at eye level. Place your phone on a stable surface at the same height as your eyes to avoid any distortion from shooting up or down.
Use the rear camera. The back camera on a modern smartphone captures sharper detail and higher resolution than the front selfie camera.
Ask someone to help. A friend taking the photo from about a metre away typically produces better results than a self-timer.
Keep shoulders square. Face the camera without leaning forward, tilting your head, or turning to the side.
Wear dark, solid-colour clothing. Dark shirts contrast clearly against a light background and give the photo proper definition.
Remove all accessories. Take off glasses, hats, headphones, large earrings, and any jewellery that could obscure the face.
Check before uploading. Review sharpness, lighting, and background before processing. A quick check saves time later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official Australian passport photo size?

The official Australian passport photo size is 35mm wide by 45mm tall (1.38 × 1.77 inches). The head must measure between 32mm and 36mm from the chin to the top of the head, taking up roughly 70 to 80 percent of the frame.

What is the Australian passport photo size in inches?

The Australian passport photo size converts to approximately 1.38 inches wide by 1.77 inches tall. The required head height of 32–36mm equals 1.26–1.42 inches. Our tool outputs files at the exact pixel dimensions so you can print at the correct size without any manual calculation.

Can I submit a digital passport photo in Australia?

Most Australian passport applications still require two identical printed photos submitted at an Australia Post outlet or passport office. Some renewals support digital photo upload through the official online renewal system — in that case the file must be a high-resolution JPEG at a minimum of 600×750 pixels.

Can I take an Australian passport photo with my mobile phone?

Yes. Modern smartphone cameras easily exceed the resolution required. Use the rear camera, good natural lighting, and a plain background. Upload the image to our tool and it will resize and format the result automatically.

Can I wear glasses in my Australian passport photo?

No. Since 1 July 2018, eyeglasses of any kind are not permitted in Australian passport photos. You must remove them before the photo is taken. The only exception is a documented medical condition supported by a signed letter from a registered medical practitioner.

What background colour is required for an Australian passport photo?

A plain light grey or plain white background is required. Avoid coloured walls, patterns, textures, or visible shadows behind the head. Stand about one metre from the wall to eliminate shadow formation.

How recent must my Australian passport photo be?

The Australian Passport Office requires that your photo be taken within the last 6 months and clearly show your current appearance, including any recent changes to hair or facial features.

Is the Australian passport photo the same size as the UK passport photo?

Both use the same 35×45mm dimensions, but the requirements differ in other ways. Australian passport photos allow a white or light grey background, while UK photos require light grey only. Head height ranges also differ slightly. Do not assume a UK-spec photo will be accepted for an Australian application without verification.

How should I print my Australian passport photo?

Print on professional glossy or matte photo paper. You can print at home with a quality photo printer, or order prints at a chemist, photo lab, or Australia Post using the 4×6 multi-copy layout our tool produces.

Do children need to meet the same passport photo requirements?

Yes. Children, including babies and infants, must meet the same Australian passport photo requirements regarding size, background, and expression. For infants, support the child against a plain background and ensure their eyes are open and facing forward.

Can I use the same photo for a passport renewal?

No. A fresh photo taken within the last 6 months is required for every renewal, even if your previous passport has not yet expired. The photo must reflect your current appearance.

Can I use this photo for an Australian visa application?

Most Australian visas, including tourist, student, and work visa categories, require a photo that meets the same 35×45mm specification. Visit our Australia visa photo guide for details specific to visa applications.