Passport Size Photos and Visa Size Photos of Australia

Australia Photo Requirements at a Glance

Important: Australian passport photos and Australian visa photos should not be treated as having exactly the same requirements. The Australian Passport Office allows a passport photograph range of 35–40 mm wide × 45–50 mm high, while many Australian visa applications specify the standard 35 × 45 mm passport-size format.

Australian Passport Photo Requirements

The Australian Passport Office has specific requirements for photographs submitted with Australian passport applications. These requirements are designed to ensure that the photograph can be used for secure biometric identification.

Australian Passport Photo Size

Australian passport photographs must be between 35 and 40 mm wide and between 45 and 50 mm high.

• Minimum width: 35 mm
• Maximum width: 40 mm
• Minimum height: 45 mm
• Maximum height: 50 mm
• Face height: 32–36 mm from chin to crown

The Australian Passport Office does not require a single fixed 35 × 45 mm size for passport applications. The official requirement provides a size range instead. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Australian Passport Photo Size in Pixels

For a 35 × 45 mm photograph at 300 DPI, the approximate digital dimensions are:

• Width: approximately 413 pixels
• Height: approximately 531 pixels

These pixel dimensions are an approximate conversion for a 35 × 45 mm photograph. The Australian Passport Office's physical passport photo requirements should take priority over a generic pixel conversion.

Australian Passport Photo Background

The Australian Passport Office requires a plain white or light grey background that contrasts with the applicant's face.

• Use a plain background.
• White or light grey is acceptable.
• Avoid patterns.
• Avoid objects in the background.
• Avoid uneven lighting.
• Do not digitally replace the background.

Australian Passport Photo Quality

Australian passport photographs must be good-quality colour prints. The Australian Passport Office specifies that passport photographs should be printed using dye-sublimation technology and on heavy-weight glossy paper of at least 200 gsm.

The photograph must be clear and in focus, without marks, streaks or red-eye. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Australian Passport Photo Age

Australian passport photographs must be less than 6 months old.

Australian Passport Photo Face Position

Your face must be centred and you must look directly at the camera. The edges of your face must be clearly visible.

• Face the camera directly.
• Keep your head straight.
• Do not tilt your head.
• Keep the face centred.
• Keep the edges of your face visible.
• Do not turn your head sideways.

Australian Passport Photo Facial Expression

Anyone over 3 years old must face the camera directly with their eyes open and maintain a neutral facial expression.

Smiling or exaggerated facial expressions should be avoided.

Australian Passport Photo Face Size

The height of the face, measured from the bottom of the chin to the crown of the head, must be between 32 and 36 mm.

This is an important Australian passport requirement and should not be confused with the overall photograph dimensions.

Glasses in an Australian Passport Photo

Glasses must not normally be worn in an Australian passport photograph.

The Australian Passport Office allows glasses only when they cannot be removed for medical reasons. In such cases, the frames must not obscure the eyes and there must be no reflection from the lenses. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Head Coverings in an Australian Passport Photo

Religious head coverings are permitted if the applicant normally wears one for religious reasons.

The covering must be plain and must not obscure the face. The entire face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead must be visible, including the edges of the face.

Jewellery in an Australian Passport Photo

Jewellery and piercings may be worn if they do not obscure any part of the face.

There must also be no reflection from jewellery such as nose rings or studs.

Retouching Australian Passport Photos

Australian passport photographs must not be retouched.

Do not digitally remove moles, wrinkles, scars, red-eye or other natural features. The photograph must remain a true representation of your appearance. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Number of Australian Passport Photos

You need to provide 2 photographs that meet the Australian Passport Office's photo requirements.

Australian Visa Photo Requirements

Australian visa photograph requirements are administered by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. The exact requirements can vary depending on the visa subclass and application method.

Australian Visa Photo Size

Many Australian visa applications specify 35 × 45 mm passport-size photographs.

• Width: 35 mm
• Height: 45 mm
• Aspect Ratio: approximately 7:9
• Approximate size at 300 DPI: 413 × 531 pixels

For example, current Department of Home Affairs visa pages specify 45 mm × 35 mm photographs for certain visa applications, meaning 45 mm high and 35 mm wide. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Australian Visa Photo Background

Australian visa photographs generally require a plain light-coloured background.

Use an evenly illuminated background without patterns, objects or other people.

Australian Visa Photo Colour

Australian visa applications that request physical photographs generally require good-quality colour photographs.

Australian Visa Photo Age

Many Australian visa applications require photographs that are less than 6 months old.

Always check the specific visa subclass requirements before submitting your photographs.

Australian Visa Photo Face Position

The photograph should show the applicant's full face and should be taken directly facing the camera.

• Face the camera directly.
• Keep your head straight.
• Keep your face centred.
• Make sure your facial features are clearly visible.
• Avoid shadows across the face.

Australian Visa Photo Glasses

Requirements for glasses can vary between Australian visa subclasses. Some current Department of Home Affairs visa pages permit untinted prescription glasses, provided they do not interfere with the visibility of the face.

If glasses are not necessary, removing them is recommended to avoid reflections or obstruction of the eyes.

Australian Visa Photo Head Coverings

Religious head coverings may be permitted provided that the face remains clearly visible. Check the requirements of your particular visa subclass.

Australian Visa Photo Quality

The photograph should be recent, clear, sharp and in colour. Laser-copy photographs may not be accepted for some Australian visa applications. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Number of Australian Visa Photos

The required number of photographs depends on the visa subclass.

For example, some current Australian visa applications require 4 recent photographs, while other subclasses may specify a different number. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Australia Passport Photo vs Visa Photo

Australian passport and visa photographs have similar biometric requirements, but their published specifications are not identical.

Common Australia Passport & Visa Photo Mistakes

Avoid these common mistakes when preparing an Australian passport or visa photograph:

• Using the wrong photograph dimensions
• Assuming that the passport and visa requirements are identical
• Using a photograph outside the Australian passport size range
• Incorrect face size in an Australian passport photograph
• Using a dark or patterned background
• Having shadows on the face or background
• Tilting the head
• Turning the face sideways
• Looking away from the camera
• Smiling or using an exaggerated expression
• Wearing glasses unnecessarily
• Using a photograph with reflections on glasses or jewellery
• Allowing hair to obscure the edges of the face
• Using an old photograph
• Using filters or beauty effects
• Retouching moles, wrinkles, scars or other facial features
• Using a blurry or low-resolution photograph
• Using an inkjet or poor-quality print for an Australian passport

How to Take an Australia Passport or Visa Photo

1. Use a plain white or light-coloured background.
2. Stand directly in front of the camera.
3. Keep your head straight and centred.
4. Look directly at the camera.
5. Keep your eyes open and clearly visible.
6. Maintain a neutral facial expression.
7. Make sure the edges of your face are visible.
8. Use even lighting without shadows or reflections.
9. Remove glasses unless they are medically necessary for an Australian passport photograph.
10. Do not use filters or digital retouching.
11. Make sure the photograph is recent and less than 6 months old.
12. For an Australian passport, ensure the photograph is within 35–40 mm wide × 45–50 mm high.
13. For an Australian passport, ensure the face measures 32–36 mm from chin to crown.
14. For an Australian visa, check the exact requirements of your visa subclass before selecting the photograph size.

Australia Passport & Visa Photo FAQs

What size is an Australian passport photo?

Australian passport photos must be between 35–40 mm wide and 45–50 mm high. The face must measure 32–36 mm from chin to crown.

Is Australian passport photo size 35 × 45 mm?

35 × 45 mm falls within the Australian passport's permitted size range, but the official requirement is actually a range of 35–40 mm wide × 45–50 mm high. Therefore, 35 × 45 mm is permitted but is not the only acceptable size. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

What is the Australian visa photo size?

Many Australian visa applications specify 35 × 45 mm passport-size photographs. However, visa requirements can vary by subclass, so applicants should check the specific requirements for their visa.

How many passport photos are required for an Australian passport?

You need to provide 2 photographs that meet the Australian Passport Office requirements. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

How old can an Australian passport photo be?

An Australian passport photograph must be less than 6 months old.

What background is required for an Australian passport photo?

The background must be plain white or light grey and should contrast with your face.

What is the face size for an Australian passport photo?

The face must measure between 32 and 36 mm, measured from the bottom of the chin to the crown of the head.

Can I wear glasses in an Australian passport photo?

Normally, no. Glasses are permitted only when they cannot be removed for medical reasons. The frames must not obscure the eyes and there must be no reflection from the lenses.

Can I smile in an Australian passport photo?

Applicants over 3 years old must have a neutral expression with their eyes open and face the camera directly.

Can I edit my Australian passport photo?

No. Australian passport photographs must not be retouched. Do not digitally remove moles, wrinkles, scars or red-eye.

Can I use the same photo for an Australian passport and visa?

A photograph may physically fit both applications, but the requirements are not identical. Australian passport photographs have specific size, face-size, printing and quality requirements, while visa requirements depend on the visa subclass.

What size is an Australian visa photo in pixels?

For a 35 × 45 mm photograph at 300 DPI, the approximate digital size is 413 × 531 pixels. Always follow the specific digital image requirements if your visa application is submitted online.

Official Australia Passport & Visa Photo Sources

Australian passport and visa photograph requirements can change. Always verify the latest requirements with the Australian Passport Office or Department of Home Affairs before submitting your photograph.

• Australian Passport Office – Passport Photo Guidelines
• Australian Department of Home Affairs – Photo Requirements
• Australian Department of Home Affairs