Official Australia Photo Specifications
One photo standard applies to paper applications. Every row below comes from that guidance.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35–40 mm wide and 45–50 mm high. Both dimensions must fall inside the range. |
| Head size | 32–36 mm from the bottom of the chin to the crown. Measure the print, not the screen. |
| Photo age | Less than 6 months old. |
| Print method | Dye sublimation only. Inkjet prints are not accepted. |
| Paper | Heavy-weight glossy photo paper, minimum 200 gsm. |
| Background | Plain white or light grey, and it must contrast with the face and hair. |
| Lighting | Uniform lighting and natural skin tone, with no shadows on the face or background. |
| Pose | Face centred, looking straight at the camera, head not tilted, edges of the face clearly visible. |
| Retouching | None. Do not remove moles, wrinkles, scars or other identifying features. |
| Expression | Anyone over 3 must face the camera with eyes open and a neutral expression — not smiling or frowning. |
| Children under 3 | The mouth may be open, but nobody else may be visible in the photo. |
| Glasses | Do not wear them unless you cannot remove them for medical reasons. Vision impairment alone is not an acceptable reason. |
| Head coverings | Allowed for religious reasons, but must be plain, without patterns, and show the whole face from chin to forehead plus its edges. |
| Jewellery | Must not obscure any part of the face or reflect light. |
| Hearing aids | Allowed. Wireless earbuds are not. |
Print Quality: The Rule Most People Miss
Size and head height are easy to measure. The print process quietly disqualifies otherwise perfect photos.
Compared with the US or UK rules, the Australian millimetres look unremarkable. What makes Australia different is how the photo must be produced. The Australian Passport Office requires a good quality colour print made by dye sublimation, and states that inkjet prints are not acceptable.
Dye sublimation is a dry process used by professional photo labs and many photo booths. The dye is transferred as a gas onto the paper, so the colour sits inside the surface rather than on top of it. The result is a smooth, continuous-tone print with no visible dot pattern. A desktop inkjet lays microscopic droplets on the surface, producing a visible dot pattern.
The paper matters too. Photos must be on heavy-weight glossy paper of at least 200 gsm. Lighter paper curls and shows texture, which affects how the face reads.
You also need two identical photos, and a guarantor endorses the back of one. Order both copies together so they come from the same print run. Proper can help you check framing and prepare a clean reference file, but the print you submit with a paper application should come from a professional lab using dye sublimation. Ask the lab which process it uses.
Digital or Printed?
Australia is a paper-first system. Your route decides whether you need a print at all.
| Route | What you need | What matters |
|---|---|---|
| Passport paper application | 2 dye-sublimation prints | 35–40 × 45–50 mm on 200 gsm glossy paper. A guarantor endorses the back of one photo. Inkjet prints are refused. |
| Visa application | Usually no photo | Most online Australian visa applications do not require a passport-style photo. Follow the document checklist for your visa subclass, and if a photo is requested, use a passport-style photo. |
| Home printing | Not accepted | Inkjet prints do not meet the dye-sublimation requirement, whatever the paper weight. |
Take It at Home
You can prepare and check the image yourself. The final print still needs a professional lab.
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1
Set up the shot
Stand well away from a plain white or light grey wall and face a window so the light is even. Keep your head straight, look directly at the lens, and make sure your hair does not cover the edges of your face.
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2
Check the framing
Open Proper, choose the Australian preset, and align the chin-to-crown distance to 32–36 mm inside the frame. Check the background for shadows or reflections.
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3
Order the print from a lab
Take the reference file to a professional lab. Ask for dye sublimation on 200 gsm glossy paper, order two identical copies, and have your guarantor endorse the back of one.
Why Australian Photos Get Refused
These are the problems that most often send an Australian passport application back.
| Common problem | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| Inkjet print | The most common print failure. Reprint at a professional lab that uses dye sublimation. |
| Head outside 32–36 mm | The head looks too small or too large. Recrop before printing rather than trimming afterwards. |
| Smiling or laughing | Anyone over 3 needs a neutral expression, eyes open and mouth closed. Retake the photo. |
| Glasses | Glasses must not be worn unless they cannot be removed for medical reasons. Frames and reflections cause refusal. |
| Shadow or reflection | Uneven light can cast a shadow behind the head. Move away from the wall and face the light. |
| Retouched skin | Removing moles, wrinkles or scars changes the face. Submit an unedited image. |
| Photo older than 6 months | The photo must be less than 6 months old. Book a new session. |
Australian Passport Photo Questions
What size is an Australian passport photo?
A printed photo must be 35–40 mm wide and 45–50 mm high, with the head measuring 32–36 mm from chin to crown.
What background should an Australian passport photo have?
Use plain white or light grey that contrasts with the face. Patterns, textures and shadows behind the head are not acceptable.
Can I print an Australian passport photo at home?
No. The Australian Passport Office requires a dye-sublimation print on heavy-weight glossy paper of at least 200 gsm. Inkjet prints are not accepted.
Can I use a mobile phone photo for my Australian passport application?
The Australian Passport Office does not recommend mobile apps or online photo services; it recommends a professional provider. A phone image can help you check framing, but the print should come from a lab.
How old can an Australian passport photo be?
The photo must be less than 6 months old when you submit the application.
Can I smile in an Australian passport photo?
No, if you are over 3. You need a neutral expression, eyes open and mouth closed, facing the camera. Children under 3 may have their mouth open, but nobody else may be visible.
Can I wear glasses in an Australian passport photo?
Only if you cannot remove them for medical reasons. Vision impairment alone is not an acceptable reason, and reflections must never obscure the eyes.
How many photos do I need for an Australian passport application?
You need two identical photos. A guarantor endorses the back of one of them.
Official Australian Source
We check this page before each update. It is the only source used here.
Other Official Photo Sizes
Ready to prepare your Australian passport photo?
Download Proper, choose the Australian preset, and check your framing before you order a dye-sublimation print.
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