Australian Passport Photo Requirements — Size, Background & Online Ordering

Australian passport photos have stricter requirements than most countries — wrong size or background leads to rejection. We’ve helped thousands of customers get their Australian photos accepted, even after rejections elsewhere. Same-day pickup or mail delivery from $9.95.

✓ Correct 45–50mm × 35–40mm Size ✓ Grey Background Applied ✓ Same-Day Pickup at Walgreens / CVS ✓ From $9.95

Australian consulates in the USA are strict about passport photo compliance — many photos are rejected on first submission for incorrect size or background color. Standard US photo labs at Walgreens and CVS only produce 2×2 inch photos, which do not meet Australian requirements. We produce the correct Australian size with every order.

Fiona — Facebook

These guys are awesome. After two rejections from the Australian Embassy, I found them online. I received three sets at different millimeter heights and sent them all — one worked perfectly. I just received my renewed passport. Wish I’d found you when I first started the process.

Australian Passport Photo Requirements

RequirementSpecification
Photo dimensions45–50mm tall × 35–40mm wide
Head size32–36mm from chin to crown
RecencyTaken within 6 months of application
BackgroundPreferred: 18% grey. Also accepted: light blue, cream, beige, pale grey, white — must contrast clearly with face and hair
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closed, looking directly at camera
Head positionUpright, centered, eyes level and parallel to top edge
EyesOpen and clearly visible, no hair obscuring eyes
Face edgesBoth sides of face must be visible
Head coveringsNot permitted except for genuine religious or medical reasons
Photo qualityClear, sharp, no shadows, no ink marks or creases, good brightness and contrast
Alone in photoNo other persons, objects, toys, or furniture visible
🇦🇺 Key difference from US photos: Australian passport photos prefer a grey background, not white. The size is also different — 45–50mm tall × 35–40mm wide, not the US 2×2 inch square. We handle both correctly for every order.

Glasses in Australian Passport Photos

You do not have to wear glasses for your Australian passport photo. If you do wear them:

  • No dark or tinted lenses — eyes must be clearly visible
  • No flash reflection off lenses
  • Frames must not cover any part of your eyes
  • Lighter-framed glasses are preferable
Example of glasses rules for Australian passport photos

Babies & Children’s Australian Passport Photos

Baby and child Australian passport photos must:

  • Show the child awake, looking straight at the camera with mouth closed
  • Not include a pacifier
  • Show the child’s face clearly — no other objects, toys, or a parent’s supporting hand visible
  • Show no hair across the eyes
Australian passport photo requirements for babies

How to Order — 3 Simple Steps

1

Take a photo at home

Plain light background, good natural light, camera at eye level, shoulders visible. Light or grey clothing preferred.

2

Upload your photo

Upload here or email us for free pre-approval before paying. We’ll confirm your photo meets Australian requirements.

3

Receive your photos

Same-day pickup at Walgreens, CVS, or Walmart — or mail delivery. We can provide multiple sizes if needed.

Order Australian Passport Photos — $9.95 →

Frequently Asked Questions

Australian passport photos must be 45–50mm tall and 35–40mm wide, with the face (chin to crown) measuring 32–36mm. This is different from the US 2×2 inch (51×51mm) square format — standard US photo labs will produce the wrong size.
The preferred background is 18% grey. Light blue, cream, beige, pale grey, and white are also accepted. The background must contrast clearly with your face and hair. This is a key difference from US passport photos, which require a white background.
You don’t have to, but if you do: no tinted lenses, no flash reflection, frames must not cover your eyes, and lighter frames are preferred. Your eyes must be clearly and fully visible.
The most common reasons are: wrong size (US labs print 2×2 inch, not the 45–50mm Australian size), wrong background color (white instead of grey), and incorrect head size. We produce the correct dimensions and apply a grey background by default.
Standard US photo labs (Walgreens, CVS, Walmart) only produce 2×2 inch photos — not the Australian format. OnlinePassportPhoto.com specializes in Australian passport photos with same-day pickup at those same stores, at the correct size and with the preferred grey background.

Useful Links

Contact information for Australian Embassies, High Commissions, and Consulates worldwide.