Disclaimer: These requirements reflect current Australian Passport Office guidelines. Requirements may be updated. Always confirm with the official APO website before submitting.
1. Physical Size and Dimensions
| Requirement | Value | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Photo width | 35 mm | Mandatory |
| Photo height | 45 mm | Mandatory |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 32 – 36 mm | Mandatory |
| Head centred in frame | Yes | Mandatory |
| Eyes in upper half of photo | Yes | Required |
| Print resolution | Minimum 300 DPI | Mandatory |
2. Background
- Plain white or off-white background
- No patterns, textures, or colours other than white
- No shadows cast by the subject on the background
- No objects or other people visible in background
3. Face and Expression
- Neutral expression — relaxed, mouth closed
- No smiling, frowning, or exaggerated expressions
- Both eyes open and clearly visible
- Looking directly at the camera
- Face centred and straight — no tilting or turning
- Full face visible — no parts obscured by hair or accessories
4. What You Cannot Wear or Have in the Photo
- No glasses of any kind (prohibited since 2016)
- No hats, caps, or head coverings (except religious/medical exemptions)
- No hair obscuring the face, eyes, or forehead
- No tinted lenses or photochromic glasses
- No heavy makeup that significantly alters your appearance
- No medical devices covering or obscuring the face (without exemption)
Religious exemptions: Head coverings worn for genuine religious reasons are permitted, provided the full face from chin to crown is visible and there is no shadow on the face.
5. Lighting Requirements
- Even, natural-looking lighting on the face
- No harsh shadows across the face or on the background
- No flash reflections or red-eye
- Natural skin tones — not overly washed out or dark
- No backlit photos where the subject's face is in shadow
6. Photo Quality
- Sharp focus across the entire face
- Full colour — not black & white, sepia, or filtered
- No digital manipulation beyond background removal/replacement (where permitted)
- No creases, marks, or damage on printed photos
- No borders, frames, or watermarks
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Current likeness — must look like you now
7. Digital Submission Requirements
For online applications, the digital photo file must additionally meet:
- JPEG format (.jpg)
- Maximum file size: 10 MB
- Minimum pixel dimensions: approximately 413 × 531 px (300 DPI at 35×45 mm)
- sRGB colour space
- No visible JPEG compression artefacts
Common Rejection Reasons (Summary)
- Glasses in the photo
- Background not plain white
- Head too small or too large (outside 32–36 mm range)
- Shadows on face or background
- Eyes partially closed or obscured
- Photo older than 6 months
- Smiling or non-neutral expression
- Blurry or low-resolution image
- Head covering present without exemption
- Photo has visible manipulation marks