Australia Passport & Visa Photo Requirements

Photo size and dimensions

Australian passport, visa, citizenship, and most ID photos use the same format:

• Size: 35×45 mm
• Resolution: 300 DPI minimum
• Format: JPEG. Plain background, no borders or text.

Head height and position

Australian authorities specify the height of the head in the frame. This is checked strictly.

• Head height: From the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (including hair) must be between 32 mm and 36 mm in the 45 mm tall photo. The face should be centered and fill a large portion of the frame.
• Face position: Face the camera directly. Both ears visible. No tilting.
• Eyes: Open, clearly visible, looking at the camera.

Head size outside this range is a common cause of rejection. Automated systems enforce it.

Glasses

Glasses are not allowed for Australian passport and visa photos. You must remove them. The Department of Home Affairs requires unobstructed visibility of the eyes. Contact lenses are allowed. If you have a medical need to wear glasses, you may need to provide supporting documentation; in practice, applicants are asked to remove glasses for the photo.

Background

Background must be white or light grey, plain, with no patterns, shadows, or other people. White is preferred for passport; light grey is often accepted for visa and other documents. No colored or textured backgrounds.

Expression and appearance

• Expression: Neutral, mouth closed. No smile, no frown.
• Headwear: No hats or caps. Religious headwear is allowed only if the full face is visible from forehead to chin and both ears are visible; no shadows on the face.
• Recency: Photo must be taken within the last 6 months and reflect your current appearance.

Documents that use 35×45 mm

Same 35×45 mm requirements apply to: Australian Passport, Australian Visa (visitor, student, work, etc.), Australian Citizenship, Australian Immigration / PR photos, and most state/territory Driver's Licence photos. Confirm with homeaffairs.gov.au or your state transport authority.

Common mistakes that cause rejection

Avoid these — PixID checks for them automatically when you create your photo.

• Head too small or too large (outside 32–36 mm)
• Wearing glasses
• Smiling or non-neutral expression
• Shadows on face or background
• Colored or patterned background
• Wrong dimensions or low resolution

Official source: homeaffairs.gov.au. Always confirm latest requirements.