Australia: Passport Photo Size

Australian consulates in the USA are very picky when it comes to accepting passport photos. Many of our customers had their earlier photos rejected but we were able to help them with photos that were accepted.

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Here is what one customer has to say about our service:

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Australian Passport Photograph requirements

• The photograph must be taken no more than six months before the lodgement of a passport application form
• be 45-50 mm in height and 35-40 mm in width (as per Australian Passport Photo Guide 2008)
• show a close-up of the applicant's head and the top of the shoulders such that the vertical size of the head (as measured from the bottom of the chin to the crown of the head) is between 32 and 36 mm
• be centered, clear, and in sharp focus with no shadows
• be of high quality, with no ink marks or creases
• have appropriate brightness and contrast that show skin tones naturally

Photograph background

You must use a uniform background to provide a contrast to the face and hair. The preferred background color 18 percent grey Other recommended background colors are light blue, cream, beige, pale grey, and white.

Expression and frame

The photograph must show the applicant

• with a neutral expression
• alone
• looking directly at the camera
• with no other person or object (including toys or furniture) visible
• with the mouth closed
• facing the camera and not looking over one shoulder (for example in portrait-style photographs)
• with the head upright such that an imaginary line is drawn between the centers of the eyes are parallel to the top edge of the picture
• their eyes are open and visible and without hair obscuring any part of the eyes
• with both edges of the face must be visible

Head coverings

Head coverings such as hats or caps are not permitted by the Australian passport office.
if an applicant wears a head covering for religious purposes, a photograph of the applicant wearing it will be accepted provided all facial features from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead (including both edges of the applicant's face) are clearly shown

Glasses

Even if applicants normally wear glasses, they do not need to wear them for a passport photograph. If they do:

• The photograph must show the eyes clearly
• There must be no flash reflection off the glasses
• Tinted lenses are not permitted
• The frames must not cover any part of the eyes
• heavy framed glasses are not permitted

Facial piercings

Facial piercings such as nose rings and studs are acceptable provided they are worn permanently by the applicant and they do not cause a reflection in the photograph Hair and ears do not need to be visible in the photo and most hair types (covering the complete frame) are acceptable providing the hair does not cover the face and the face/eyes are visible
Earrings are acceptable provided they do not obstruct the view of the edges of the face. Hair accessories are acceptable provided they do not obstruct the view of any facial feature

Camera, Photo setup:

• Take your photo in approx 8MP or more.
• Optical focal length lens (or variable lens locked into position) between 90 to 130mm (35mm film camera equivalent). In short, use 3x to 4x zoom in your camera.
• distance between lens and subject should be approximately 1.2 meters, this is to achieve an image of proper head size, with correct perspective and without distortion
• set the Aperture to maximize the depth of field, approximately f16 to f22
• set the Shutter Speed to ensure no camera shake - recommend 125th to 250th of a second (within Flash sync requirements)
• digital Zoom technology must not be used
• sharpening functions within the camera software must be turned off
• the image must be taken using "shadowless lighting". Background slave flash can be used to remove shadows. The lighting should not give the subject "red eyes"
• A head size template placed on the camera viewing screen must be used as a guide in obtaining the correct head size
• the camera should be set to capture the image as a TIF (preferable) or JPG at the highest quality setting with minimum file compression

The basics

• 45-50mm (1 3/4" -1 15/16" ) high and 35-40mm (1 3/8" -1 9/16" ) wide show the head and the top of the shoulders close up, so the measurement of the face from the bottom of the chin to the crown (i.e. top of the head without hair) is between 32mm and 36mm (1 1/4" -1 7/16" ).

Tip: Click here to download a pdf that you can use to validate your photos. Please download and print it. Put your finished photos on it and make sure your photos have the correct head size. Please take important note that they look at the crown which is the top of the head without hair. You need to assume a person is bald and guess where would the top of the head with no hair. Click here to download the Australian Passport Photo template.

Australian Passport Photos-Quality and style

• Print on high-quality paper and use high resolution
• show natural skin tones and have appropriate brightness and contrast, no flash reflections and no red eye
• show you with a neutral expression and mouth closed to have a plain, light-colored background (e.g. white, cream, or pale blue)
• Show you looking directly at the camera
• Show you with no hair across your eyes
• Show both edges of your face clearly
• not show you looking over one shoulder (portrait style) or with head tilted
• The photograph cannot be manipulated, for example, by removing spots or softening lines.

Photo Validation Guide for Adult/Child:

Photo Validation Guide for Infants (under 3 years):

On Australian Passport Pictures- Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons: in which case, facial features from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges of your face must be clearly shown.

Glasses on Australian Passport Pictures:

If you usually wear glasses, you do not have to wear them for your passport photograph, but if you do they must show your eyes clearly:

• No dark tinted lenses which restrict a clear view of your eyes
• No flash reflection off the lenses
• Frames should not cover any part of your eyes
• Lighter framed glasses are preferable if you have them.

Australian Passport Photos for Children and babies

• Australia Passport Photos of children and babies should: show the child or baby awake, looking straight at the camera with mouth closed and no pacifier
• Show the child or baby's face clearly without any other objects (including a parent's supporting hand) visible
• Show the child or baby without any hair across the eyes. Shows another person Child's toy visible Hair across eyes

Important/Useful Links:

List and Contact information for various Australian Embassies, high commissions, consulates, multilateral missions, and representative offices across the globe.