Australia · Australian Passport Office · Verified October 22, 2026
Australia Passport Photo — 35×45 mm, Make It in Seconds
- 35×45 mm
- JPG
- Plain white or light grey
Off by default: this authority rejects edited backgrounds. Take the photo against a plain wall instead — we'll check it.
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Everything on this page is set to the official Australia Passport Photo specification from Australian Passport Office. For citizens of Australia applying or renewing.
Australia Passport Photo requirements
| Document | Australian passport |
|---|---|
| Issued by | Australian Passport Office (Australia) |
| Print size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Format | JPG |
| Background colour | Plain white or light grey |
| Head height | 71.1–80% of photo height (32–36 mm) |
| Colour | Colour photo required |
| Taken within | the last 6 months |
| Submitted as | Printed photo |
The rules in plain words
- Photo 35–40 mm wide and 45–50 mm high; face from chin to crown 32–36 mm.
- Less than 6 months old, in colour, dye-sublimation printed (not inkjet) on glossy paper of at least 200 gsm.
- Plain white or light grey background that contrasts with your face; even lighting showing natural skin tone.
- Face centred, looking straight at the camera, neutral expression, eyes open (children under 3 may have their mouth open).
- No glasses unless you can't remove them for medical reasons.
- No retouching — no removing moles, wrinkles or scars, and no edited backgrounds.
- Religious head coverings must be plain and show the whole face from chin to top of forehead.
How to take a Australia Passport Photo at home
- 1Stand about half a metre in front of a plain white or light grey wall. Distance from the wall stops shadows behind your head.
- 2Face a window or soft light so both sides of your face are evenly lit — no harsh overhead light.
- 3Ask someone to hold the camera at your eye level, 1–1.5 m away. Selfies at arm's length make noses look bigger and get rejected.
- 4Look straight at the lens with a neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, hair away from your eyes.
- 5Take off your glasses unless you have a medical reason to wear them.
- 6Drop the photo here, download the result, then use the print sheet to print at exact size.
Tips specific to this document
- The Passport Office recommends a professional photo provider and warns against online photo services and apps: use ExactFit to check framing and size, then print at a post office or photo lab that uses dye-sublimation printers.
- AirPods and other earbuds must come out; hearing aids may stay in.
Common reasons photos are rejected
- Glasses on.
- Skin smoothing or retouching.
- Inkjet print on light paper.
- Head too small (camera too far away).
Questions people ask
What size is a Australia Passport Photo?
Australian Passport Office requires 35×45 mm. ExactFit sizes your photo to exactly this and shows a checklist so you can confirm before you submit.
How big should my head be in the photo?
Measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (including hair), your head must take up 71.1–80% of the photo height — 32 to 36 mm on the print. The tool detects your face and crops to land inside this range automatically.
What background colour is required?
Plain white or light grey, plain and without shadows or patterns. Australian Passport Office does not accept digitally edited backgrounds, so take the photo against a plain wall; ExactFit checks the background but leaves it unchanged by default.
Can I wear glasses?
No glasses unless you can't remove them for medical reasons.
How recent does the photo need to be?
It must have been taken within the last 6 months and look like you do now.
Can I take a Australia Passport Photo with my phone?
Yes. Have someone take it from about 1–1.5 m away against a plain wall, make it here, then print it at true size with the print sheet (4×6 in, A4 or A6) at a photo kiosk.
Is my photo uploaded anywhere?
No. All processing — face detection, cropping, background and compression — runs inside your browser. Your photo never leaves your device.
Will my photo be accepted?
ExactFit checks every measurable requirement against the official rules, but the final decision is made by Australian Passport Office. Follow the checklist and the official guidance linked on this page.
Official source
Last verified against the official source: October 22, 2026
ExactFit is not affiliated with any government. Requirements can change; always confirm with the official source. No guarantee of acceptance.
Spotted a change? Tell us and we’ll re-verify within days.