Australian passport photo
35 × 45 mm, chin to crown 32–36 mm, plain white or light grey background.
The Australian Passport Office accepts photos between 35 and 40 mm wide and 45 and 50 mm high; the tool uses 35 × 45 mm, the size every photo counter prints, and places the head at 34 mm, the middle of the 32–36 mm range. Two identical prints are needed unless you are eligible for a streamlined renewal or an online application.
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.75 in) |
|---|---|
| Head height (chin to crown) | 32–36 mm |
| Background | white / light grey |
| Glasses | Only with a medical certificate; no glare, no tint |
| Taken within | The last 6 months |
| Prints needed | 2 identical photos |
| Official source | Australian Passport Office — Photo guidelines ↗Checked against the official page on 2026-09-20 |
- 100% freeNo account, no paid download, no watermark.
- Nothing is uploadedYour photo is processed on your device and never reaches a server.
- Official rules, citedEvery size and head-height figure links to the government page it comes from.
- Cheap to printDownload a 4×6 sheet and print it at any photo kiosk instead of paying counter prices for two prints.
The photo guidelines
Size 35–40 mm wide and 45–50 mm high. The face, from chin to crown, between 32 mm and 36 mm. A plain white or light grey background that contrasts with your face, with no shadows. A neutral expression: not smiling, laughing or frowning, mouth closed, eyes open, looking directly at the camera. Glasses are only permitted for medical reasons with a signed certificate from a registered practitioner, and even then the frames cannot obscure the eyes and there can be no reflection from the lenses. Head coverings only for religious or medical reasons, and the face must be fully visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead. The photo must be less than six months old.
Prints must be good quality colour on photo paper, not laser-printed on plain paper, and both prints must be identical — the 4×6 sheet from this tool gives eight identical 35 × 45 mm photos.
Taking it at home
The Passport Office allows photos taken by anyone, including on a phone, as long as the guidelines are met. Stand in front of a window in daylight so the light falls evenly on the face — side lighting creates the shadows that get Australian photos rejected — keep the camera at eye level a little over a metre away, and use a plain wall if you have one; the tool replaces the background anyway, but plain walls avoid stray hair edges.
Online renewals
Eligible adults renewing online upload a digital photo instead of posting prints. The geometry is the same; download the photo from this preset and upload it. Follow the current guidance on the Passport Office site for any file-size limit at the time you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is 35 × 45 mm the required size?
It is within the required range of 35–40 by 45–50 mm and is the size photo counters print. Larger sizes in the range are equally valid; the head measurement is what matters.
Can I wear my glasses?
Only with a signed medical certificate, and only if the frames do not cover the eyes and there is no reflection. Without a certificate, take them off.
Is a slight smile all right?
No. Australia is stricter than most: the guidelines say not smiling, laughing or frowning. Keep a relaxed, closed mouth.