If you are an Australian citizen living in the UK, you apply through the Australian High Commission in London. You need 2 printed Australia passport photos that meet Australian rules. These differ from UK passport photos, so a standard UK booth strip will not work.
Quick answer: an Australia passport photo is 35–40 mm wide by 45–50 mm high, with a face height of 32–36 mm from chin to crown, on a plain white or light background, taken in the last 6 months.
Want to skip the reading? Check your Australian passport photo now before you pay for prints.
Australia Passport Photo Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Australian passport photo |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35–40 mm wide by 45–50 mm high |
| Face height (chin to crown) | 32–36 mm |
| Number of photos | 2 |
| Age of photo | Less than 6 months old |
| Background | Plain white or light, contrasting with your face |
| Print type | Colour, dye sublimation (not inkjet), glossy, heavy-weight paper of at least 200 gsm |
| Expression | Neutral, eyes open, mouth closed (over 3 years old) |
| Glasses | Not allowed, unless you cannot remove them for medical reasons |
Australia Passport Photo Size: mm, cm, Inches and Pixels
The Australian Passport Office sets passport photo size in millimetres for a printed photo. Here is the same range in other units.
| Measurement | Millimetres | Centimetres | Inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 35–40 mm | 3.5–4.0 cm | 1.38–1.57 in |
| Height | 45–50 mm | 4.5–5.0 cm | 1.77–1.97 in |
| Face height, chin to crown | 32–36 mm | 3.2–3.6 cm | 1.26–1.42 in |
Australia Passport Photo Size in Pixels
The Passport Office does not publish a pixel size, because it asks for printed photos. If you need a digital file to print from, a 35 × 45 mm photo is about 827 × 1063 px at 600 dpi (or 413 × 531 px at 300 dpi). Use a high resolution, because low-resolution prints are a common reason for rejection.
Australia Passport Picture Size vs UK Passport Photo Size
The two sizes are close but not identical, and the head size rule is different. That is why a UK photo can fail an Australian application.
| Australian passport photo | UK printed passport photo | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 35–40 mm wide × 45–50 mm high | 35 mm wide × 45 mm high |
| Head size | Chin to crown 32–36 mm | Head 29–34 mm |
| Background | Plain white or light | Plain cream or light grey |
| Number needed | 2 | 2 for a paper application |
| Where it is accepted | Australian High Commission, London | HM Passport Office |
Passport Photo Guidelines for Australia
What Your Photo Must Show
Your photo must have:
- a clear, in-focus image with no marks or red eye
- a plain white or light background that contrasts with your face
- even lighting with natural skin tone
- your face centred and looking straight at the camera
- the edges of your face clearly visible
What Your Photo Must Not Have
Your photo must not have:
- retouching, such as removing moles, wrinkles or scars
- shadows or reflections on your face or the background
- your head tilted in any direction
- hair covering the edges of your face
- another person or object visible
Acceptable Passport Photos for Australia: Glasses, Head Coverings and Jewellery
Glasses
Not allowed unless you cannot remove them for medical reasons. Poor eyesight alone is not accepted as a reason. If you must wear them, the frames must not cover your eyes and there must be no lens reflection.
Religious head coverings
Allowed if you usually wear one. It must be plain, with no pattern at all, and must show your whole face from chin to forehead, plus both edges of your face.
Jewellery and piercings
These must not cover any part of your face, especially around the eyes, nose and mouth, and must not reflect light.
Hearing aids
Adults, children and infants can wear hearing aids.
Babies and Children
Children under 3 may have their mouth open, but the other rules still apply and no parent or toy should be visible. For tips on photographing very young children, see our UK baby passport photo guide.
Medical Exemptions
If a medical condition means you cannot meet a photo rule, you must provide either a medical certificate or a completed B-11 form explaining why.
Can I Use a UK Photo Booth for an Australian Passport?
No. The Australian High Commission in London says it cannot accept photos taken at UK photo booths, because the print resolution is not high enough. It also asks that photos are:
- glossy and printed at the highest resolution
- not printed on an inkjet printer (dye sublimation is acceptable)
- taken with studio lighting, so there are no shadows behind your head or ears and the light across your face is even
Ask your photographer for an Australian passport photo, not a UK one, and tell them the size and face height from the table above.
Where to Get Australia Passport Photos in the UK
You have three realistic options.
| Option | What to do | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Professional photo studio or lab | Ask for Australian-size passport photos, dye-sublimation prints on glossy paper | The Australian Passport Office recommends a professional provider, and it is the safest route |
| Take the photo yourself, then print | Take a well-lit photo with a helper, check it, then take the file to a lab that prints on dye sublimation | Do not print on a home inkjet. Check the file first |
| UK photo booth | Not recommended | Rejected by the London High Commission because of low resolution |
Australian Passport Photo Online: Should You Use an Online Service?
The Australian Passport Office advises against online passport photo services and mobile apps, so treat any tool, including ours, as a way to check and prepare your photo and not as a guarantee. The final decision is always made by the Australian Passport Office.
Passport Photos in Australia (Perth, Sydney, Adelaide and Elsewhere)
This page is written for applicants in the UK. If you are applying from inside Australia, for example in Perth, Sydney or Adelaide, use a professional photo studio, pharmacy photo service or an Australia Post outlet that offers passport photos, and ask for the Australian specification above. Check the current Australian Passport Office guidelines before you go.
How to Apply for an Australian Passport From the UK
- Choose your route. Some adult renewals can be sent by post to the High Commission. Other applications, including first adult passports and lost or stolen replacements, are lodged in person by appointment only. There is no walk-in service.
- Complete the application through the Australian Passport Office portal, then print it. Applications cannot currently be submitted electronically.
- Get your photos to the Australian specification (see above).
- Gather your documents and attend your appointment at the Passport Office, Australian High Commission, Strand, London WC2B 4LA, or post your renewal.
- Pay in Australian dollars. The High Commission takes payment in AUD only.
For new applications lodged in person, one of your two photos must be endorsed by your guarantor, so do not write on or mark the photos yourself.
If your photos are rejected, the High Commission will ask for new physical photos. If they are rejected later in the process, it may request digital JPEG files instead, so ask your photographer for a high-quality JPEG when you get your prints.
Common Australia Passport Photo Mistakes
| Problem ❌ | Fix ✅ |
|---|---|
| Using a UK booth strip | Get Australian-size, dye-sublimation prints from a studio or lab |
| Head too big or too small | Keep chin-to-crown between 32 and 36 mm |
| Smiling or open mouth | Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed |
| Shadows behind your head or ears | Stand about half a metre from the wall and light your face evenly from the front |
| Dark or patterned background | Use a plain white or light wall |
| Glasses on | Take them off unless you have a medical reason |
| Hair across your eyes or face edges | Pin hair back so the edges of your face are visible |
| Retouched or filtered photo | Use an unedited photo |
| Photo older than 6 months | Use a photo taken in the last 6 months |
| Inkjet print or thin paper | Use glossy dye-sublimation prints of at least 200 gsm |
How to Take an Australia Passport Photo at Home
- Ask someone to take it. The Passport Office recommends a photographer, not a selfie.
- Use a plain white or light background, and stand about half a metre in front of it.
- Put the camera about 1.5 metres away and zoom in slightly rather than standing close, which distorts your face.
- Light your face from the front, with the light behind the camera, to avoid shadows.
- Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression, mouth closed and head level.
- Keep your whole face and shoulders in frame with some space around the edge.
Step-by-step guides: how to take a passport photo at home and how to take a passport photo on iPhone.
Check Your Australia Passport Photo Before You Apply
Upload your photo to our passport photo checker to check your background, head position and framing before you pay for prints. Then use the passport photo print template generator to lay out a print sheet to take to your lab, and ask them to print it on glossy dye-sublimation paper.
- Need another country's size? Try the passport size photo maker or the 35×45 mm photo size guide.
- Applying for a UK passport instead? See our UK passport photo size and requirements guide.
Australia Visa Photo Size and Requirements
This page covers Australian passport photos. Photos for an Australian visa, tourist visa, PR application or citizenship are set by the Department of Home Affairs, and the size and file requirements can differ from the passport rules above. Do not assume a passport photo will be accepted for a visa.
Australia Tourist Visa Photo Requirements
Tourist visa photo rules are shown in your online visa application. Read the photo instructions in your application before you upload, and check whether a digital file is requested instead of a print.
Australia PR and Immigration Photo Requirements
Permanent residence and other immigration applications follow Department of Home Affairs instructions for the specific visa subclass. Use the requirements listed in your own application or in your ImmiAccount, not the passport rules on this page.
Australia Embassy Photo Size
If an Australian embassy or High Commission asks for a photo for a passport application, use the passport size above. For any other service, such as a visa, follow the instructions given for that service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about official Australia Passport Photo: Size and Requirements for Applicants in the UK requirements and specifications.
What are the Australia passport photo requirements?
Your photo must be 35–40 mm wide and 45–50 mm high, with your face measuring 32–36 mm from chin to crown. It must be less than 6 months old, in colour, in focus, on a plain white or light background, with a neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed, no glasses and no shadows. You need 2 photos.
What size is an Australia passport photo?
35–40 mm wide by 45–50 mm high (3.5–4.0 cm by 4.5–5.0 cm, or about 1.38–1.57 by 1.77–1.97 inches).
What is the Australia passport photo size in cm and inches?
In centimetres, 3.5–4.0 cm wide by 4.5–5.0 cm high. In inches, 1.38–1.57 in wide by 1.77–1.97 in high. Face height from chin to crown is 3.2–3.6 cm, or 1.26–1.42 in.
What is the Australia passport photo size in pixels?
There is no official pixel size, because the Passport Office asks for printed photos. For a 35 × 45 mm photo, use roughly 827 × 1063 px at 600 dpi if you need a file to print from.
Can I use a UK photo booth for an Australian passport photo?
No. The Australian High Commission in London says it cannot accept UK photo booth photos because the resolution is too low. Use a studio or lab that can print Australian-size photos on glossy dye-sublimation paper.
Where can I get Australia passport photos in London or the UK?
Use a professional photographer or photo lab and tell them you need Australian-size passport photos. The High Commission does not endorse particular providers, so check the specifications with your photographer before you pay.
Are Australian and UK passport photos the same size?
No. The UK printed photo is 35 × 45 mm with a head height of 29–34 mm. Australia allows 35–40 × 45–50 mm and requires a face height of 32–36 mm, so a UK photo can fail an Australian application.
Can I take my own Australian passport photo with my phone?
You can take the photo yourself with a helper, but you still need good-quality prints that meet the print rules. The Australian Passport Office recommends a professional provider and advises against online photo services and mobile apps. Check your photo carefully before printing.
Can I get an Australian passport photo online?
You can use an online tool to check and prepare your photo, but you still need printed photos on glossy dye-sublimation paper. The Australian Passport Office advises against relying on online photo services or apps, and it makes the final decision on acceptance.
How many photos do I need and how recent must they be?
You need 2 photos, taken less than 6 months before you apply. For new applications lodged in person, one photo is endorsed by your guarantor.
Can I wear glasses or a head covering in an Australian passport photo?
Glasses are not allowed unless you cannot remove them for medical reasons, and poor eyesight alone does not count. A plain religious head covering is allowed if your whole face from chin to forehead and both face edges are visible.
What background colour is required for an Australia passport photo?
A plain white or light background that contrasts with your face. Avoid patterns, shadows and dark colours.
Are Australian visa or citizenship photos the same as passport photos?
Not necessarily. Visa, PR and citizenship photos follow Department of Home Affairs instructions, which may differ from passport rules. Check the requirements shown in your own application.
What is the Australia visa photo size?
There is no single size. It depends on the visa and how you apply, so follow the instructions in your own application rather than the passport size on this page.
Can I get Australia passport photos at Australia Post or in Perth, Sydney or Adelaide?
If you are in Australia, yes: professional studios, pharmacies and Australia Post outlets offer passport photo services. Ask for the Australian specification and check the current guidelines first. If you are in the UK, use a professional studio or lab instead of a booth.
Will my Australian passport photo definitely be accepted?
No tool can promise that. The Australian Passport Office makes the final decision, but checking your photo with our passport photo checker first helps you avoid the most common mistakes.
PixPassport is an independent service and is not affiliated with the Australian Passport Office, the Australian High Commission or the Department of Home Affairs. Rules checked against the Australian Passport Office photo guidelines and the Australian High Commission London passport pages in October 2026.
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