Honest guide: Australia
Australian Passport Photo Requirements and Why Apps Are Not Advised
An Australian passport photo must be 35 to 40 mm wide and 45 to 50 mm high, with a face of 32 to 36 mm from chin to crown, less than 6 months old, and printed by dye sublimation on glossy paper of at least 200 gsm. The Australian Passport Office does not recommend online photo services or apps, so PhotoForPass does not sell Australian passport photos.
Honest answer. We do not sell photos for this document. Here is what to do instead.
- Photo size
- 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in)
- Head heightchin to top of head
- 32 to 36 mm
- Background
- Plain white or light grey background that contrasts with your face.
- Glasses
- Not allowed unless they cannot be removed for medical reasons (medical certificate).
- Expression
- Over age 3: face the camera straight on, eyes open, neutral expression.
- Taken
- Less than 6 months old.
Key takeaways
- The Australian Passport Office says it does not recommend using an online passport photo service or a mobile app.
- Prints must be made by dye sublimation on heavy glossy paper, so a home inkjet print does not qualify.
- Glasses are not allowed unless you cannot remove them for medical reasons. Poor vision alone does not count.
- A US 2 x 2 inch photo is too wide for an Australian passport, so you cannot reuse one.
At a glance
- Size
- 35 to 40 mm wide x 45 to 50 mm high
- Face height
- 32 to 36 mm, chin to crown
- Background
- Plain white or light gray, in contrast to your face
- Taken
- Less than 6 months ago
- Photos needed
- 2 identical color prints
- Printing
- Dye sublimation, not inkjet, on glossy paper of 200 gsm or heavier
- Glasses
- Not allowed unless needed for medical reasons, with a certificate
- Expression
- Neutral, eyes open, facing the camera (age 3 and over)
Why apps and online photo services are not advised for Australian passports
The Australian Passport Office is unusually direct about this. On its passport photo page it says it does 'not recommend using an online passport photo service or a mobile app'. It also bans retouching, including skin smoothing and the removal of moles or scars.
The printing rules close the door further. Australian passport photos must be good-quality color prints made by dye sublimation, not inkjet, on glossy paper of at least 200 gsm (grams per square meter). A file printed at home or on a regular inkjet printer does not meet that standard, no matter how accurate the crop.
Because the official advice is against online services, PhotoForPass does not sell an Australian passport photo. This guide gives you the official requirements so you can get compliant photos from a studio, in the US or anywhere else.
Australian passport photo requirements (Passport Office)
The table lists the Australian Passport Office rules for the 2 printed photos you submit. Every value comes from the official passport photo page.
The size is a range, not a single number. Any print from 35 to 40 mm wide and 45 to 50 mm high is fine, as long as the face measures 32 to 36 mm from chin to crown.
| Requirement | Australian Passport Office rule |
|---|---|
| Size | 35 to 40 mm wide x 45 to 50 mm high |
| Face height | 32 to 36 mm, chin to crown |
| Background | Plain white or light gray, contrasting with your face |
| Expression | Neutral, eyes open, facing the camera straight on (age 3 and over) |
| Glasses | Not allowed unless they cannot be removed for medical reasons; a medical certificate is needed |
| Head covering | Religious only, plain with no pattern, whole face visible from chin to top of forehead |
| Edits | No retouching, skin smoothing, or mole and scar removal |
| Accessories | No wireless earbuds; hearing aids are OK |
| Recency | Less than 6 months old |
| Printing | Color, dye sublimation (not inkjet), glossy paper of 200 gsm or heavier |
| How many | 2 identical photos |
How to prepare for your Australian passport photo
A little preparation avoids most refusals. These points come straight from the official rules, plus simple habits that help the photographer get it right the first time.
- Take off your glasses. Glasses are only allowed if you cannot remove them for medical reasons and you have a medical certificate. Having poor vision is not a valid reason.
- Keep a neutral face. The official list of unacceptable examples includes smiling. Keep your mouth closed and look straight at the camera.
- Go easy on makeup. Too much makeup is one of the listed problems, along with any retouching.
- Remove earbuds. Wireless earbuds are not allowed, but hearing aids are fine.
- Dress in contrast. Wear a top that stands out from a white or light gray background, and keep hair away from your eyes.
Babies and young children
Children under 3 may have their mouth open. No one else can be visible in the photo, and that includes a parent's hand supporting the child.
Getting Australian passport photos in the US
You can have the photos taken by any studio that can meet the Australian rules, but most US photo counters are set up for 2 x 2 inch US photos. Call ahead and ask these questions before you go.
- Can you print photos 35 to 40 mm wide and 45 to 50 mm high, with a face of 32 to 36 mm from chin to crown?
- Do you print by dye sublimation, not inkjet?
- Is the paper glossy and at least 200 gsm?
- Can you shoot against a plain white or light gray background with no retouching?
If the answer to any of these is no, keep looking. Bring a printout of the official requirements so the photographer can check the measurements. Then check your application form's instructions for anything you need to write on or attach to the photos, such as an endorsement by a guarantor.
Applying from the US
The Australian Passport Office website explains how Australians overseas can apply or renew, including the role of Australian embassies and consulates. Check it for the current steps before you book photos. Fees are set in Australian dollars and change from time to time, so confirm the amount there before you apply.
Australian passport photo vs US, UK and Canadian photos
If you hold more than one citizenship or have used photos for other documents, it is tempting to reuse them. The sizes look close, but the rules differ enough that a photo made for one country is usually refused by another.
The Australian photo is the only one in this group that names a print method, dye sublimation, and a paper weight. It also bans glasses outright, like the US, while the UK and Canada allow them under conditions. Use the table to see what changes, then order photos made for the document you are actually filing.
| Rule | Australia | United States | United Kingdom | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print size | 35 to 40 x 45 to 50 mm | 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) | 35 x 45 mm | 50 x 70 mm |
| Head or face height | 32 to 36 mm | 1 to 1 3/8 in (25 to 35 mm) | 29 to 34 mm | 31 to 36 mm |
| Background | White or light gray | White or off-white | Cream or light gray | White or light-colored |
| Glasses | Medical reasons only | Doctor's statement only | Avoid; no glare or tint | Allowed with no glare or tint |
| Recency | Under 6 months | 6 months | 1 month | 6 months |
| Apps or online services | Not recommended by the Passport Office | Accepted if the rules are met | Own digital photo allowed online | Commercial photographer only |
US photos you may need alongside your Australian passport
Many Australians in the US also deal with US paperwork, and US forms use a completely different photo: 2 x 2 inches on a white background. That one PhotoForPass does make, from a phone photo in about a minute.
Use our 2x2 photo tool for most US forms, the green card photo page for USCIS filings, or the U.S. visa photo page for a DS-160. If you are a dual citizen, see the U.S. passport photo page. For your Australian prints, our passport photos near me guide explains how to compare local studios.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Australian passport photo requirements?
An Australian passport photo must be 35 to 40 mm wide and 45 to 50 mm high, with a face of 32 to 36 mm from chin to crown. It needs a plain white or light gray background, a neutral expression and no glasses unless medically required. It must be less than 6 months old and printed in color by dye sublimation on glossy paper of at least 200 gsm. You need 2 identical photos.
Can I use a passport photo app for an Australian passport?
The Australian Passport Office says it does not recommend using an online passport photo service or a mobile app. The prints must also be made by dye sublimation on heavy glossy paper, which a home printer cannot do. For an Australian passport, the safest route is a photo studio that knows the Australian requirements.
What size is an Australian passport photo in inches?
An Australian passport photo is 35 to 40 mm wide and 45 to 50 mm high, which is about 1.4 to 1.6 inches wide and 1.8 to 2 inches high. The face must be 32 to 36 mm, or about 1.3 to 1.4 inches, from chin to crown. It is narrower and taller than a US 2 x 2 inch photo.
Can I use a US 2x2 passport photo for an Australian passport?
No. A US passport photo is 2 x 2 inches, or about 51 x 51 mm, which is wider than the 40 mm maximum for an Australian passport photo. The head size and background rules are also different. Ask a studio to print photos at 35 to 40 mm wide and 45 to 50 mm high instead.
What is a dye sublimation print?
Dye sublimation is a printing method that uses heat to transfer dye onto the paper, which gives smooth, durable color. The Australian Passport Office requires it for passport photos, together with glossy paper of at least 200 gsm, and it rules out inkjet prints. Ask the studio directly how it prints before you pay.
Can I wear glasses in an Australian passport photo?
No, unless you cannot remove them for medical reasons. In that case you need a medical certificate, and the Passport Office says poor vision alone is not a valid reason. Take your glasses off for the photo, even if you wear them every day.
Can you smile in an Australian passport photo?
No. People aged 3 and over need a neutral expression with their eyes open, facing the camera straight on, and the official list of unacceptable photos includes smiling. Children under 3 are allowed to have their mouth open, but the other rules still apply.
How old can an Australian passport photo be?
An Australian passport photo must be less than 6 months old when you apply. If your appearance has changed a lot in that time, for example a new beard or a big change in hair, get new photos so they match how you look now.
What are the rules for a baby Australian passport photo?
A baby must be alone in the photo, so a parent's hand cannot be visible. Children under 3 may have their mouth open. The other rules still apply: a plain white or light gray background, the correct size and face height, no retouching, and a dye-sublimation print on glossy paper of at least 200 gsm.
Why does PhotoForPass not sell Australian passport photos?
Because the Australian Passport Office does not recommend online passport photo services or mobile apps, and it requires dye-sublimation prints on heavy glossy paper. Selling a file for this passport would go against that official advice. PhotoForPass makes photos for documents that accept them, such as US passports, visas and USCIS forms.
Official sources
We check these pages when the rules change. Last updated Nov 8, 2026.
Related
- Canadian passport photo Rules for the 50 x 70 mm photo
- UK passport photo 35 x 45 mm photo for UK applications
- Photos near me Store options compared
- 2x2 photo maker Any 2 x 2 inch photo in about a minute
- Green card photo For I-485, I-765, I-131 and I-90
- Glasses rules When glasses are and are not allowed
- Photo requirements Every U.S. rule in one place
Ready when you are
Need a U.S. 2x2 photo instead?
PhotoForPass does not make Australian passport photos. For U.S. passports, visas and USCIS forms, make a 2 x 2 photo from your phone in about a minute.
- 14-day money-back guarantee
- Photo stays on your device until you pay
- Checked against official rules
Every document
Photos for passports, visas and IDs
Each document has its own size and rules. Pick yours and we set everything up.