Photo for Australian Passport - size & requirements
Prepare a perfect document photo with guaranteed acceptance
Austalian passport digital photo - photo size & requirements
Height: 45 mm
- Head height: 35 mm
- Top of the Photo to Top of the Hair: 3 mm
What do you get?
You save time and money - take a document photo conveniently without leaving home
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The opinions come from our customer satisfaction surveys.
A really easy format to get passport pictures. Very fast response to my questions via email.
Excellent service. Very good software that enhanced our photos. They also did a manual check and had me redo one of the pictures for free. I have only used online passport photos for more than 10 years. This is by far the best.
Can't thank these people enough, they have gone above and beyond today to produce a lovely passport photograph from my poor photograph. Thank you for all your efforts. I would recommend this company good value, professional and kind.
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Austalian passport digital photo - photo size & requirements
Height: 45 mm
- Head height: 35 mm
- Top of the Photo to Top of the Hair: 3 mm
How to make a photo?
Australian passport photo
Do you know that Australian passport photos must meet international standards for biometric matching? It means that by submitting your passport application form and attaching two identical photographs you are responsible to satisfy all requirements applying to pictures. Do you know how they are? If not yet, follow our guide!
Australian passport photo size (dimensions in mm)
The required Australian passport photo dimensions are 35 mm to 40 mm wide and 45 mm to 50 mm high. The maximum size of the face from chin to the top of the head can be 36 mm, the minimum - 32 mm.
To obtain the required view (all the head and neck visible, optionally the upper part of the shoulders in its required size), the distance between a camera and a photographed person must be between 1,20 and 2 metres. For this it is not allowed to take a selfie. We recommend you to use a tripod or ask another person for help.
Lightning and color in Australian passport photo
Your photo dedicated to a passport must be in color. It means that it should represent real colors of your eyes and skin. For this reason the “red eyes” effect causes an automatic rejection of the picture.
The background must be white or light grey, no other colors are acceptable. Moreover the background must be plain, free of patterns, shadows, other visible people or objects.
The light must be evenly distributed on both sides of your face and as well on the background. Remember about adjusting contrast and brightness during taking the picture as it should be focused, clear and well exposed. Overexposed and underexposed images are not acceptable.
No shadow can appear on your face. If you do not take off your eyeglasses for medical reasons (you can wear them in the picture only in this case), make sure that the frames do not obscure your eyes or give shadows on your face. The same applies to facial piercing. You are not obliged to remove them for photo purposes, but piercing must not give a shadow or glare on your features.
In terms of colors - if for religious reasons you wear a head covering, it must be in unique color, free of patterns.
Australian passport photo - technical requirements
It is recommended to take your Australian passport photo with a digital or film camera. If you use a digital camera, focal length of 90‐130 mm should be used or 35 mm film equivalent. Any way, you can as well take a picture with your smartphone. Nowadays such devices have extremely good lenses and are able to produce high-quality pictures. Moreover, you can use a passport photo app to help yourself with cropping, resizing and adjusting your visa photo.
If you prepare your visa photo on your own and you want to print it in some store next to you, remember about following requirements about print:
- high quality of the picture
- heavy‐weight, glossy prints (200 gsm minimum)
- no heavy back‐printing
- using dye sublimation (no photos from an inkjet printer)
AU passport photo composition and image requirements
There are some main rules you must follow to take a perfect visa photo. Your passport photo must be:
- taken within 6 last months
- printed in color
- original (not altered in any way)
- not taken out from another, bigger picture
Your head must be positioned in the central spot of the image, not tilted in any direction. You must look straight at the camera and keep eyes open. Do not smile in the visa picture, a neutral face expression is a requirement in this case. Neither do not frown. Keep your mouths closed but not tightened. Whole your face must be clearly visible, so make sure that your hair or head covering do not cover its oval.
Clothing and accessories in Australian passport photo
There are not any recommendations about dress code in Australian visa pictures. So you may dress like you are. Our tip is to put on something casual or elegant as you will present your passport many times during the next ten years. If you like necklaces, you can put on one, also a small pair of earrings. Wearing massive earrings or hair decorations is not recommended as they can obscure the face line and in such a case your picture will be rejected.
Eyeglasses in Australia visa photos are not allowed, basically. If you must wear them for medical reasons, the frames cannot obscure your eyes and there can’t be any reflection from the lenses. Lenses must be transparent. In such a case, you have to show supply a medical certificate that:
- informs why you can’t remove the eyeglasses
- is signed by a registered medical practitioner
- includes the medical practitioner’s full name, registration number and the address and phone number of the medical practice.
What is forbidden while taking an AU passport photo?
The requirements for the picture to an Australian passport are not many but clear and strictly enforced. If you do not meet them, your photo almost for sure will be rejected and you will need to start all the processing again. You may avoid this trouble by becoming familiar with most common mistakes that people make in terms of passport photos.
So, make sure, that your picture is NOT:
- taken more 6 months earlier
- altered by any kind of computer software
- printed on inkjet printer
- overexposed or underexposed
In the picture you are not allowed to:
- tilt your head in any direction (down, up, sideway)
- look sideway
- have your eyes closed
- have your mounts open
- smile or knit brows
- have eyeglasses if you do not provide a medical explanation
- have a fashion head covering (the exceptions are religious reasons)
Australian passport photo near me
You may ask your friends “hey, do you know where to get a passport photo near me”? and usually nobody knows.
We have a solution for you.You don’t necessarily need to take a passport picture in a professional photo studio or a photo booth. You can do it wherever is convenient for you, just using your digital camera or smartphone.
As selfie is not recommended, ask somebody to help you, choose a good moment and place and get your ideal photo with an online passport photo editor.
As you still must satisfy requirements about size, crop, head position, background, color etc. this online photo tool will be really helpful! It crops, resizes and at the end verify your photo in terms of correctness!
Where to find an Australian passport photo maker?
This helpful tool is available online, easy to use and much cheaper than a visit in a professional photography studio. With this online photo editor you can take and prepare your passport photo in a couple of minutes. Just take a look on the app, follow the instructions, upload the picture and have it done! The photo online app is a complete and sufficient program ready to crop, resize and check the produced image in terms of correctness.
You pay only for correct photos and they have a guarantee of acceptance by authorities!
Frequently Asked Questions
💡 What is the required size for an Australia passport photo?
The required Australian passport photo dimensions are 35 mm to 40 mm wide and 45 mm to 50 mm high.
💡 What is the required size of the head in the Australian passport photo?
The maximum size of the face from chin to the crown can be 36 mm and the minimum - 32 mm.
💡 Can I wear a headgear while taking an Australia passport photo?
If you cover your head for religious reasons every day, there is no requirement of taking it off for the passport photo. But keep in mind that your whole face must be clearly visible, and a head covering must not cover the oval.
💡 I wear eyeglasses - should I take them off for my AU passport photo?
Generally speaking, no. If you must wear them for medical reasons, you must provide a special medical certificate. And even in such a case, the frames cannot cover your eyes and there can’t be any reflection from the glass. Lenses must not be tinted.
💡 What are requirements for a medical certificate proving that I must wear my eyeglasses in an AU passport photo?
If you need to wear eyeglasses while taking an Australia passport photo, you must prove that this is necessary. You are asked to submit a certificate which:
- gives the explanation why you can’t remove the eyeglasses
- is signed by a registered medical practitioner
- includes the medical practitioner’s full name, registration number and the address and phone number of the medical practice.
💡 Where can I get an Australia passport photo?
You may search on the map or in your neighbourhood the closest photography studio or a photo booth, but much easier is to be your own photographer! It does not mean we recommend you to take a selfie, but you can prepare the photo with your smartphone any way. Just ask someone to help you and use an online photo editor to adjust the photo to Australian passport photo requirements and that’s it!
💡 Can I smile in the Australia passport photo?
No. It is not allowed. Remember to close your mouths, open your both eyes and relax your face muscles.
💡 How long does the Australian passport procedure take?
After providing all documents and a passport photo, the process to obtain a passport takes approximately 3 weeks but keep in mind that this period may vary depending on the current situation.
💡 Can I take an Australian passport photo with my iPhone?
Of course! And not only with an iPhone but with any type of smartphone equipped with a camera.
To adjust your picture to visa photo requirements, check out an online passport photo maker.
💡 How can I take a photo to an Australia passport on my own?
You need only a smartphone or a digital camera to prepare your ideal passport picture. If you are not sure if your already taken image is correct, just let the online visa photo app to resize, crop and adjust it to requirements!
💡 Can I wear jewellery in my Australia passport photo?
Yes, you can put on a necklace if you like it. Also earrings but only if they do not obscure your face oval. Big hair decorations, massive earrings and accessories could obscure your face features as well, so they are not recommended.
💡 Is it the possibility to apply for an Australian passport online?
Yes, the Australian government gives the possibility of applying for a passport online.
💡 For how long an Australian passport is valid?
The current document will be granted for ten 10 years. Then its validity expires and you need to repeat the procedure with a new application form and a new photo.
💡 Can you wear makeup in the Australian passport picture?
Yes, you are allowed to wear makeup.
💡 Can I photoshop my Australian passport photo if I do not like it?
Absolutely no. You must not use Photoshop or filters to make your photo more beautiful. All interfered pictures will be automatically rejected.
💡 How can I resize an image for an Australia passport photo?
You can do it with automatically cropping and resizing the passport photo app in a few seconds.
💡 Where can I take an Australian passport photo near me?
If you live in a big city, it will not be a problem to find a professional photography studio or officeworks (f.ex. auspost passport photo) but it is not necessary. You are perfectly able to produce the passport photo by yourself. All you need is a smartphone and passport photo maker - a dedicated tool to adjust your picture to government's requirements.
💡 How will I know when my passport is ready?
Don’t worry you will be informed when your passport is ready by an email.
About the document
What is an Australian Passport?
Australian passport is a travel document issued to Australian citizens under the Australian Passports Act 2005 by the Australian Passport Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which enables the passport bearer to travel internationally.
Australian Passport is a document that confirms the citizenship and identity of its holder mainly for international personal identification. Passport photo is crucial for the usability and security purposes.
Australian Passport Office issues now only biometric passports which have an embedded microchip that contains the same personal information that is on the colour photo page of the passport.Technology of facial recognition used in cooperation with Australian passports makes every border processing more efficient. That facilities reduce the potential for identity fraud. If your photo does not meet the standards detailed above, you can experience some problems at the automated border.
Australian passport requirements
If you are an Australian citizen, getting the passport is your right. To get an Australian passport you need to:
- complete an application form online
- present your identity documents
- provide two color passport photos that meet specifications
- find a guarantor or referee to confirm your identity
- lodge your application in person
- pay an indicated fee
The same procedure applies in the case of renewing the passport when the previous document expires.
Who can be your referee or guarantor?
Unless you qualify for a renewal of a previous passport, you’ll need a referee or a guarantor to confirm your identity.
If you use our online service and apply in Australia, you nominate a referee. This person doesn’t need to sign anything, but must be willing to confirm your identity if contacted by an officer.
In other situations, you nominate a guarantor. He/she has to sign section 11 of your application form and endorse the back of a passport photo by writing “This is a true photo of (your full name)” and signing in black pen.
Your referee or guarantor must:
- be an Australian citizen
- be adult
- claim that has known you for more than a year
- NOT be any kind of relative, or in a common-law marriage relationship with you, or living at the same address as you
You’ll need to provide a referee’s or guarantor’s full name, their phone number, and their current Australian passport details or the address at which they’ve been on the electoral roll for the past 12 months.
Dual citizenship and two passports
If you're a dual citizen, you may have 2 passports. This gives you the opportunity to travel with one document or another. But there is a main rule: Australians including dual nationals should leave and enter Australia on their Australian passport only.
If you have a passport from another country, you can use that for travel once you have left Australia. Dual nationals may choose to enter and exit the country of their other nationality on that country's passport so it is up to you which passport you want to travel on.
Types of Australian passports
There are three categories of Australian passports:
- Ordinary Tourist Passport
- Official Passport
- Diplomatic Passport.
If you are not employed by the Australian government, you are a holder of an ordinary passport as this travelling document is most commonly issued to Australian citizens.
Ordinary passports are basically valid for five or ten years. Children under 16 years of age are issued 5 year passports, and adults aged 75 or over may choose between a 5 and 10 years validity. The passport fee is lower for 5 years validity. Other adult applicants are normally issued passports with a 10 year validity.
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