Australian passport photo requirements
As of October 25, 2026, passport photos for Australia measure 35–40 mm wide by 45–50 mm high, with 32–36 mm from chin to crown, on glossy prints under 6 months old (per passports.gov.au, checked on Oct 25, 2026).
Australian passport photos must be good-quality color prints made by dye sublimation, not on an inkjet printer, on heavyweight glossy paper of at least 200 gsm.
The Australian Passport Office recommends a professional passport photo provider, such as a post office, photographer, camera store or some pharmacies, though every photo must still meet its guidelines.
Australia sets a range instead of one size: 35 to 40 mm wide and 45 to 50 mm high, with the face measuring 32 to 36 mm from chin to crown. The Passport Office’s guide for camera operators prints at 35 x 45 mm, the smallest size the range allows.
Two inches is about 51 mm, so a U.S. 2 x 2 inch print is wider than the 40 mm maximum and the wrong shape for an Australian application.
As color prints made by dye sublimation on heavyweight glossy paper of at least 200 gsm; inkjet prints are refused. The Embassy in Washington suggests inspecting each print with a magnifying glass for dots, ink spots or stripes.
Two photos go with the application. For a new passport, the guarantor signs the back of one of them in black pen, confirming it is a true photo of the applicant.
Sources: passports.gov.au (pages 1, 2) · usa.embassy.gov.au
The Australian Embassy in Washington refuses photos from Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Staples, FedEx, UPS, post offices and AAA, and notes that photographers familiar with Australian standards work near its passport offices.
A photo taken at home can work if another person takes it (no selfies), from at least 1.5 meters, without portrait mode, filters or background removal, and if it is then printed to Australian standards. The Passport Office itself does not recommend apps or online photo services, citing identity fraud.
Sources: usa.embassy.gov.au · passports.gov.au
Only brightness and contrast may be adjusted. Removing moles, wrinkles, scars or red-eye, smoothing skin and replacing the background are all ruled out by the Australian Passport Office and by its embassy in Washington.
Sources: passports.gov.au (pages 1, 2) · usa.embassy.gov.au
Glasses come off unless a medical reason prevents it, and weak eyesight does not count; when they stay on, the frames cannot cover the eyes and the lenses cannot reflect light.
A plain religious head covering is fine if the whole face shows, chin to forehead and edge to edge. Hearing aids may stay on; wireless earbuds may not.
Source: passports.gov.au
No. The Australian Embassy in Washington says a photo taken at home must be taken by someone else, and the Australian Passport Office does not recommend mobile apps or online photo services. Source: official pages "Passports › Photos — Embassy of Australia, United States" and "Passport photos", checked on Oct 25, 2026.
No. Anyone over 3 needs a neutral expression with eyes open. Only children under 3 get some leeway: their mouth may be open. Source: official pages "Passport photos" and "Passport Photo Capture Guidelines (Camera Operator Guidelines)", checked on Oct 25, 2026.
Two, each less than 6 months old. They go in with the application, which applicants outside Australia lodge at an Australian embassy or consulate. Source: official pages "Passport photos" and "Applying outside Australia", checked on Oct 25, 2026.
No. SelfieToPassport is not affiliated with the Australian Passport Office or any other government agency. The Australian Passport Office publishes the photo rules for free at passports.gov.au; this page links to each one.
The Australian Passport Office does not recommend online photo services or apps and wants dye-sublimation prints on glossy paper, and the Australian Embassy in Washington does not accept selfies. SelfieToPassport does not make this photo. Use this page to check the prints you get.
Every rule on this page comes from a page published by the Australian Passport Office, read on the date shown. We rewrite each rule in plain words and link to the page it came from. Each rule has a review deadline; one that passes it without a new check comes off the page.
Something here out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official page.