Australia Passport Photo Requirements 2026
An Australian passport photo must be 35×45 mm (or 40×50 mm for some older applications) on a plain light-coloured background. The head — from chin to crown — must be between 32 and 36 mm tall, taking up the majority of the frame. The Australian Passport Office applies these rules to passports and Australian visas. Two identical printed photos are required, and one must be endorsed by your guarantor with the wording set out on the form.
Documents covered
The same official specification applies to all of the following documents:
| Document | Size | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia Passport | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) | |
| Australia Passport (40×50) | 40 × 50 mm (1.57 × 1.97 in) | |
| Australia Visa | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
Detailed requirements
Background
Plain light grey, light blue, or off-white. Pure white is also accepted in practice. No patterns, no shadows.
Expression and eyes
Neutral expression, mouth closed. Both eyes open and clearly visible. No smiling, no frowning.
Glasses
Glasses are not recommended. If worn, frames must not obscure the eyes and there must be no glare on the lenses.
Headwear
No headwear except for daily religious or medical wear. The full face from chin to forehead must be visible.
Recency
The photo must have been taken within the last six months and must reflect your current appearance.
Digital format
For online Australian visa applications, digital photos must be JPEG or PNG, minimum 900×600 pixels, between 50 KB and 1 MB.
Country-specific notes
- Two identical printed photos are required for paper passport applications.
- One photo must be endorsed on the back by your guarantor with the exact wording from the passport form.
- Australian visa applications generally accept digital photo uploads — paper photos are not needed.
Common rejection reasons
These are the most frequent reasons passport offices reject submitted photos.
- 1 Photo is not 35×45 mm or 40×50 mm — other sizes are not accepted.
- 2 Head is outside the 32–36 mm chin-to-crown range.
- 3 Glasses with glare or that obscure the eyes.
- 4 Background has shadows, patterns, or is too dark.
- 5 Photo is older than six months.
- 6 Guarantor endorsement is missing or incorrectly worded.
- 7 Smiling or showing teeth.
How to take it yourself in 3 steps
Find a light wall
Stand 0.5 m in front of a plain light wall — grey, off-white, or pale blue. Soft daylight in front of you, no shadow behind.
Take the photo
Camera at eye level, 1.5 m away. Square shoulders, neutral expression, mouth closed.
Verify the rules
Photo must be 35×45 mm with head 32–36 mm tall. The app checks each Australian Passport Office rule and produces two print-ready copies.
Frequently asked questions
What size is an Australian passport photo? +
How many photos do I need for an Australian passport? +
What background should an Australian passport photo have? +
Can I take an Australian passport photo on my phone? +
Are glasses allowed in an Australian passport photo? +
Does the same photo work for an Australian visa? +
Take a photo that passes — automatically.
Open the app, pick your country, and we check every rule before you save.