An Australian size passport photo must be 35–40 mm wide and 45–50 mm high, with a chin-to-crown measurement of 32–36 mm. The first measurements describe the print; the last describes the head inside it. See the Australian Passport Office photo guidelines.
Official guidance checked: November 8, 2026
This guide covers photographs for an Australian passport. It does not establish the image specifications for an Australian visa, citizenship application or another country’s passport. Before ordering, tell the photographer which document and application route you are using.
Australian Size Passport Photo Measurements in mm, cm and Inches
| What you measure | Millimetres | Centimetres | Approximate inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printed photograph width | 35–40 mm | 3.5–4.0 cm | 1.38–1.57 in |
| Printed photograph height | 45–50 mm | 4.5–5.0 cm | 1.77–1.97 in |
| Head height, chin to crown | 32–36 mm | 3.2–3.6 cm | 1.26–1.42 in |
The millimetre ranges are the official reference; centimetres and inches above are unit conversions. The Passport Office’s measurement poster shows the photograph and head measurements separately.
Is 35 × 45 mm acceptable?
Yes: it falls within the permitted overall range. However, it is not the only size described in the official guidance. Selecting a “35 × 45” preset does not check the head measurement, lighting, printing process or application route.
Measure the finished print rather than the image as it appears on your phone. Screen zoom changes apparent size. A picture that looks large on a display may print too small, and a borderless-print setting may enlarge an otherwise correctly prepared layout.
Does crown mean the top of the hairstyle?
The crown refers to the top of the head or skull, not the highest strand of hair. The official application notes explain this distinction. If your hairstyle makes that point difficult to judge, ask an experienced photographer to check the framing rather than estimating from the hair’s outer outline.
Australian Passport Photo Size in Pixels: What the Numbers Mean
Pixels describe a digital image; millimetres describe a print. You cannot convert one into the other without a print-resolution assumption.
The calculation is:
Pixels = millimetres ÷ 25.4 × pixels per inch
For a 35 × 45 mm print, the following are calculated examples:
| Assumed print resolution | Approximate pixel dimensions |
|---|---|
| 300 pixels per inch | 413 × 531 pixels |
| 600 pixels per inch | 827 × 1,063 pixels |
These are mathematical print examples, not universal Australian government upload specifications. A website’s export preset, a photo provider’s file format and a government application’s submission requirements can be different things.
Changing a file’s resolution label does not create detail that was missing from the original photograph. Similarly, increasing its pixel count cannot reliably repair an out-of-focus face. Start with a sharp source image and ask the printer to preserve the intended physical dimensions.
If someone gives you a pixel requirement, ask which application screen or official instruction it comes from. That question helps distinguish a genuine submission rule from the default settings of a particular editing tool.
Printed Photos or a Digital Photo Code?
The correct delivery format depends on how you are applying. Do not assume that completing an online form means you can attach any JPEG and finish the entire application online.
| Your application situation | What to check before ordering photos |
|---|---|
| Standard application requiring printed photographs | Number of copies, print quality and any endorsement instructions |
| Eligible fully online adult renewal in Australia | Photo-provider code and the portal’s retrieval process |
| Application lodged overseas | The Australian embassy or consulate’s local instructions |
Eligible online renewal in Australia
The Passport Office currently offers an online renewal process for eligible adults in Australia. Its photo step uses a photo code from your provider: select the provider, enter the code and retrieve the photograph. Eligibility conditions apply, and the service checks them before you proceed.
The signature step is separate and uses a JPEG image. Do not mistake the signature-upload instruction for permission to upload any self-prepared passport photograph. If the required photo retrieval and signature steps cannot be completed, the official page directs applicants to the standard renewal route.
Ask your provider about the photo code before the session. Keep the receipt or code information somewhere you can access while completing the application, and check the retrieved preview before confirming it.
E-Passport Renewal Process and Easy Online Visa Check Method 2026
Applying outside Australia
Follow the overseas application instructions and the mission where you will lodge. Completing an overseas form online may still involve printing it and attending an embassy or consulate. Confirm the local process before paying for a digital-only product.
Photo Quality: More Than the Outer Dimensions
The main passport photo rules require recent colour photographs, less than six months old, with a plain white or light-grey background and a clear view of the face. Printed photographs must use dye sublimation, not inkjet, on glossy paper of at least 200 gsm.
Ask the provider two specific questions: “What printing process do you use?” and “Can you check the final print against the Australian requirements?” A sheet of glossy paper by itself does not establish that the correct process was used.
Inspect the actual prints before leaving. Check for scratches, marks, softness and unexpected colour changes. If a problem is obvious at collection, discuss it there rather than hoping it will be overlooked during assessment. A professional service can help with preparation, but it does not decide government acceptance.
Position, Lighting and Natural Appearance
The official camera operator guidelines call for a centred, forward-facing subject, open eyes, a neutral expression and even lighting without shadows. They also identify a minimum camera-to-subject distance of 1.2 metres for the professional setup described.
Before the shutter is pressed, settle into a comfortable upright position. Look at the lens rather than a screen beside it. Give the photographer time to adjust the camera and lighting instead of leaning towards the equipment or tilting your head to compensate.
Hair should leave the facial edges visible. Avoid treating a commercial checklist’s extra styling advice as a government requirement. The practical objective is an unobstructed, recognisable face, with the correct position and proportions.
Can you retouch or replace the background?
The Passport Office explains that filters, retouching and background alterations can affect biometric matching. Removing wrinkles, scars or other identifying details changes the image used to recognise you. A tool’s promise of acceptance does not override the official rules.
The camera operator sheet permits limited brightness/contrast adjustment while prohibiting retouching. That is not blanket permission to reshape a face, erase marks, replace a background or digitally remove red-eye. When the capture has a visible problem, arranging another photograph is a clearer solution than experimenting with automatic enhancement.
Glasses, Head Coverings and Accessories
The current official accessory rules do not allow glasses unless they cannot be removed for medical reasons; vision impairment alone is not enough. Permitted glasses must leave the eyes visible without lens reflections.
A normally worn religious head covering may remain if it is plain and leaves the full face and its edges visible. Jewellery must not obscure facial features or cause reflections. Hearing aids that you normally wear may remain.
If you need a medical exception, discuss the documentation before the appointment. The camera operator guidance identifies a medical certificate for the glasses exception. Do not assume a standard prescription or a glare-free photograph automatically establishes the exception.
Australian Baby Passport Photo Rules
An Australian size passport photo for a baby still needs careful framing and a suitable capture. The official general photo brochure allows an open mouth for children under three. Other requirements continue to apply, and no other person or object should appear.
Plan the session around your child’s needs. Ask whether the photographer regularly handles infants and how the baby will be supported safely during capture. Allow time for a pause rather than trying to finish while the child is distressed or turning away.
Check the full frame, not only the baby’s face. A supporting hand, toy or dummy can be easy to overlook when choosing the sharpest expression. Do not assume an adult will be digitally erased later, or borrow a different country’s baby-photo exceptions without checking Australian guidance.
Does Someone Need to Sign the Back?
The answer depends on the application. The Passport Office distinguishes a guarantor, referee and witness. For a paper application requiring a guarantor, that person signs the relevant form section and the back of one photo. An online-form referee may be contacted to confirm identity and does not sign the photograph. Renewals do not require a guarantor or referee.
Read the instructions for the actual form you are completing before writing on a print. Keep the photographs protected while you organise any required endorsement, and avoid assuming that instructions for a friend’s application apply to yours.
Australian Size Passport Photo: Final Check Before Submission
Use three separate checks:
- Measurements: confirm the finished photograph’s width and height, then check the head inside it.
- Capture and print: inspect focus, lighting, pose, natural appearance and the delivered printing quality.
- Application route: confirm printed copies or photo-code retrieval, plus any required endorsement.
If you receive a request for a replacement, identify the stated problem before ordering another set. Tell the photographer what needs correction and check the new output for that issue. Reprinting the same file may leave the original problem unchanged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Australian size passport photo 2 × 2 inches?
No. A 2 × 2-inch square is about 50.8 × 50.8 mm, outside the Australian width range. Use the Australian measurements rather than a generic overseas preset.
Can I print a passport photo on a 4 × 6-inch sheet?
A larger sheet is a layout format. Each individual photograph must retain the required measurements and quality. Ask the provider to check the finished output; automatic scaling can change the dimensions.
Can I use a photo app’s “approved” result as proof of acceptance?
No. The Australian Passport Office assesses the photograph. Its photo guidance recommends professional providers and warns about identity-fraud risks associated with online photo services and apps.
Can I reuse the photograph for an Australian visa?
Check that visa’s own instructions. A passport photograph and a visa upload serve different application processes. Matching one set of dimensions does not establish compliance with another document’s requirements.
What should I tell the photographer?
Say that you need an Australian size passport photo and identify whether it is for a standard application, overseas lodgement or eligible online renewal. Ask them to confirm the measurements, printing method and delivery format before payment.