Australia Passport Photo Requirements 2026
Official requirements from the Australian Passport Office. Last reviewed March 2026.
Quick Summary
35×45 mm, plain white background, neutral expression, no glasses. Face height 32–36 mm. Complicator required to certify one photo.
Photo Dimensions
Australian passport photos must be 35 mm wide and 45 mm tall, following the same ICAO biometric standard used by the UK and EU. The photo must be printed in colour on high-quality photographic paper. Digital photos are now accepted for all online renewal applications through myGov.
Two identical printed photos are required for applications submitted by post or in person. They must be unretouched, recent (within 6 months), and taken against a plain white background.
Face and Head Size
The face — from the bottom of the chin to the crown of the head — must measure between 32 mm and 36 mm within the 45 mm height. This means the face occupies approximately 71–80% of the frame. The head must be centred and upright in the photo.
The full face must be visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. The background must be visible above the head. Eyes must be open and clearly visible, looking directly at the camera.
Background Requirements
The background must be plain white. No patterns, gradients, other colours, or shadows are acceptable. The Australian Passport Office is strict about this requirement, and photos with off-white, cream, or grey backgrounds are regularly rejected.
The entire background — including the corners of the photo — must be white with no visible wall texture, lines, or objects. The subject should stand away from the background to avoid shadows.
Expression and Pose
Your expression must be neutral with your mouth closed. Both eyes must be open. You must face directly forward with no tilt or turn. Australian passport photos must not show any expression — no smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows.
You may not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses. Prescription glasses may be worn only if they cannot be removed for medical reasons — supported by a medical certificate. The frames must not obscure the eyes.
Complicator (Guarantor) Requirement
Like Canada, Australia requires a complicator to certify your photos. The complicator must sign one of the two photos on the back and write "I certify this to be a true likeness of [full name]." The complicator must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident who has known you for at least 1 year and is over 18. They must not be a family member.
This requirement does not apply to online renewal applications, which use facial recognition technology to match the digital photo to records on file.
Digital Photo Specifications
For online applications via myGov:
- Format: JPEG
- Minimum dimensions: 413 × 531 pixels (maintaining 35:45 ratio)
- Maximum file size: 20 MB
- Aspect ratio: 35:45 (7:9)
- Color: RGB colour (not CMYK)
Complete Specifications Table
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Face height | 32–36 mm (chin to crown) |
| Background | Plain white |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Not permitted (medical exception) |
| Recency | Within 6 months |
| Complicator | Required (certify back of 1 photo) |
| Copies needed | 2 identical photos (postal/in-person) |
| Digital max size | 20 MB JPEG |
Common Rejection Reasons
- Background not pure white (cream or grey will be rejected)
- Face outside the 32–36 mm measurement range
- Complicator signature missing or not meeting requirements
- Smiling or non-neutral expression
- Glasses (unless medically necessary)
- Shadow on the background or across the face
- Photo older than 6 months
- Head tilted or turned
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Crop to the exact 35×45 mm Australian specification. Print at home or at any Australia Post outlet. No upload required.
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