Condensed guide. Read the full Australian passport requirements or the rejection diagnostic.
Specification
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
|---|---|
| Pixels at 300 / 600 dpi | 413 × 531 px / 827 × 1063 px |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 32–36 mm |
| Eye line from bottom | not specified |
| Head width | not specified |
| Space above the crown | not specified |
| Background | white or light grey |
| Background editing | not allowed (retake instead) |
| Glasses | not allowed |
| Expression | neutral, mouth closed |
| Recency | taken in the last 6 months |
| Print requirements | heavy-weight photo paper, glossy, dye-sublimation (not inkjet), ≥ 200 gsm |
| Digital upload | none |
| Self-taken photos | accepted with conditions (see below) |
| Prints needed | 2 |
| Infant rules | eyes may be closed, mouth may be open (under 3) |
| Official source | Australian Passport Office – Passport photos |
- Marked check and print only: the money-back guarantee covers framing and size, not print quality or paper.
- The Passport Office says it does not recommend online passport photo services. We publish this so you can decide for yourself; the usual concern is uploading your face, which this site never does.
Can I take it myself? Yes, with conditions
Yes, with conditions. The Passport Office recommends a professional provider and says it does not recommend online services or apps, mainly because of identity-fraud risk when you upload your face to a stranger's server. This site never uploads your photo, so that concern does not apply, but the printing rule is firm: inkjet prints and home prints are refused. Use this tool to check and frame the photo, then print the sheet at a kiosk that uses dye-sublimation (Kmart, Officeworks, Big W, Harvey Norman and most chemists do). We sell the Australian product as check + print sheet, not as a digital file, because there is nowhere to upload one.
Why AU passport photos get rejected
- Face too large or too small. Chin-to-crown must be 32–36 mm. Use the head-size control until the readout is inside the band; the tool positions the head automatically.
- Printed on an inkjet printer or thin paper. Print at a kiosk or chemist that uses dye-sublimation on glossy 200 gsm paper. Ask for a standard 6×4 print of our sheet at actual size.
- Glasses worn. Glasses are not allowed unless you cannot remove them for medical reasons, in which case you need a medical certificate or a B-11 form.
- Shadows on the face or behind the head. Move away from the wall and face the light source. Even lighting matters more than brightness.
- Background not plain, or edited. The Passport Office lists 'background not plain and edited' as an unacceptable example. Retake against a plain wall; this tool never edits the background for Australian passports.
AU passport photo FAQ
Does the Australian Passport Office accept digital photos?
No. Passport applications require two printed photos. The online application form is for your details only; the photos are lodged in person. That is why our Australian product is a print sheet, not a digital file.
What size is an Australian passport photo?
Between 35 and 40 mm wide and 45 and 50 mm high. Most providers print 35×45 mm, which is what this tool uses. The face from chin to crown must be 32–36 mm.
Can I print passport photos at Kmart or Officeworks?
Yes. Their kiosks print by dye-sublimation on glossy paper, which meets the 200 gsm rule. Print the 6×4 sheet at 100 per cent and cut along the marks. We have a page for each retailer with their current prices.
Can I wear glasses?
Not unless you cannot remove them for a medical reason. Vision impairment alone is not accepted as a reason, and you will need a medical certificate or a B-11 form.
What background colour is required?
Plain white or light grey, with clear contrast against your face and no pattern or shadow. The background must not be edited.
Why does the Passport Office warn against online photo services?
Because many of them upload your photo to a server, which is an identity-fraud risk. This site runs entirely in your browser and never transmits the image; you can verify that on our privacy proof page.
Related documents
Australian citizenship photo (Home Affairs)
35×45 mm · head 32–36 mmAustralian visa photo (ImmiAccount)
35×45 mm · head 32–36 mmNew Zealand passport
35×46.7 mm · head 32–36 mmUK passport
35×45 mm · head 29–34 mmLast verified 2026-10-28 against Australian Passport Office – Passport photos. Spotted a mistake? Report an error.