Australia passport
Australia Passport Photo Size and Print Requirements
By Passport Photo Template Editorial Team | Published and reviewed June 29, 2026 | 9 minute read
Quick answer
Australian passport photos must be 35-40 mm wide and 45-50 mm high, with a chin-to-crown face height of 32-36 mm. They must be recent, unretouched color prints made using dye sublimation on glossy paper of at least 200 gsm. The Australian Passport Office recommends a professional passport photo provider.
Size is a range, not one universal 35x45 preset
Many websites summarize the Australian requirement as 35x45 mm. The official page publishes a permitted outer range: 35-40 mm wide and 45-50 mm high. The face height from the bottom of the chin to the crown must be 32-36 mm.
A generic 35x45 crop therefore does not automatically prove compliance. Head position and face height remain essential. When using any template, compare the output with the current official diagram supplied for the application.
Official print specifications matter
| Element | Australian requirement |
|---|---|
| Number of photos | Two good-quality photos |
| Age of photo | Less than 6 months old |
| Outer size | 35-40 mm wide, 45-50 mm high |
| Face height | 32-36 mm from chin to crown |
| Print method | Dye sublimation, not inkjet |
| Paper | Heavy-weight glossy paper, minimum 200 gsm |
These requirements are why arranging the correct rectangle on ordinary home paper is not equivalent to obtaining a compliant Australian print.
Professional provider recommendation
The Australian Passport Office recommends established professional providers such as participating post offices, photographers and businesses with suitable printing facilities. It does not recommend online passport-photo services or mobile apps and warns about identity-fraud risk.
A professional service is still not an automatic guarantee. The authority states that every photo must meet the guidelines and may request new photos during lodgement or assessment.
Face, pose and expression
The face must be centered and look straight at the camera. Do not tilt the head. The edges of the face should be visible, without hair crossing them. Anyone over 3 must have a neutral expression, open eyes and a closed mouth. A child under 3 may have the mouth open, but no other person may be visible.
Do not use a portrait pose with the shoulders or face turned. The photo is intended for biometric matching, so a straightforward full-face image is required.
Background and lighting
Use a plain white or light background that contrasts with the face. Lighting should be uniform and show natural skin tone. The official rules reject shadows and reflections. Standing away from the background reduces the chance of a hard shadow behind the head.
Do not brighten the wall or remove shadows afterward. Australian guidance warns that even apparently small edits can affect biometric checks.
No retouching
The photo must not be retouched. The official examples specifically mention removing moles, wrinkles or scars. Filters, skin smoothing, AI background replacement and digital shadow cleanup should not be used.
If the image is blurry, distorted, shadowed or poorly framed, take another photograph rather than repairing it. Keep natural skin detail and facial geometry.
Glasses, jewellery and head coverings
Glasses must generally be removed unless they cannot be removed for medical reasons. If medically necessary, frames cannot cover the eyes and lenses cannot reflect. Vision impairment by itself is not listed as a reason to keep glasses on.
Usual jewellery, piercings and hearing aids may remain when they do not obscure the face or create reflections. A religious head covering may be worn if it is plain and the entire face remains visible from chin to forehead and across both sides. Medical exemptions may require a certificate or B-11 form.
Before lodging the application
- Use the current Australian Passport Office page and diagram.
- Confirm the photo is less than 6 months old.
- Measure the outer print and chin-to-crown face height.
- Check the photographic process and paper specification.
- Inspect the face edges, eyes, expression and background.
- Confirm there is no retouching, shadow or reflection.
- Follow the photographer declaration and application instructions where required.
What an online sizing tool cannot verify
A tool can help visualize a crop or physical dimension. It cannot verify dye-sublimation printing, 200 gsm paper, photo age, identity, expression, medical documentation or professional-provider requirements. Treat the template tool as a layout aid, not an approval service.
For accessories, see our glasses and head-covering guide. For children, use the baby and child checklist.
Primary source reviewed: Australian Passport Office passport photo guidelines and its explanation of biometric and editing risks. Review date: June 29, 2026. The Australian Passport Office remains the final authority.