Australia Passport Photo: check yours against the official spec
An Australian passport photo must be 35 to 40 mm wide by 45 to 50 mm high (35 x 45 mm is the standard crop), with your head measuring 32 to 36 mm from chin to crown, against a plain white or light grey background. You submit two identical prints taken within the last 6 months. Retouching of any kind is not allowed, including skin smoothing or removing moles, wrinkles, or scars, and anyone over age 3 must have a neutral expression with no smiling.
Use a clear, front-facing photo against a plain white wall in even light. We measure and crop it. We never edit the pixels you submit.
Australia passport photo requirements
| Photo size | 1 3/8 × 1 3/4 inches (35 × 45 mm) |
|---|---|
| Head height (chin to top of hair) | 1 1/4 to 1 3/8 in (32 to 36 mm) |
| Eye height from bottom | 3/4 to 1 1/8 in (19 to 30 mm) |
| Background | plain white or light grey |
| Digital file | JPEG, at least 750 × 750 px |
Common reasons a Australia passport photo is rejected
- The photo has been retouched in any way. Skin smoothing and removing moles, wrinkles, or scars are all explicitly unacceptable.
- Glasses are worn. They are banned unless they medically cannot be removed, and vision impairment alone is not an acceptable reason.
- Smiling or a non-neutral expression on anyone over age 3, or the head is outside the 32 to 36 mm chin-to-crown range.
- Prints are on the wrong paper. Photos must be dye sublimation prints on glossy paper of at least 200 gsm, not inkjet prints.
“Photos must not be changed using computer software, phone apps or filters, or artificial intelligence.”
U.S. Department of State, passport photo requirements
Photo rejections are common, and you pay twice
A rejected photo means a delayed application and paying again for a retake. It's one of the most common problems people hit when applying, and it's exactly what this tool is built to catch before you submit:
- r/Passports: the many reasons photos get rejected →
- r/travel: struggling to get a visa photo under the file-size limit →
- MoneySavingExpert: a rejected UK passport photo and the redo →
We measure your photo against the official spec, never AI-edit it (itself a rejection reason as of 2026), and back it accepted-or-your-money-back.
What a passport photo really costs
The photo is the cheap part. The expensive part is a rejection: redo fees, another queue, and a delayed application or trip. Here is the honest comparison:
| Pharmacy or retail (CVS, Walgreens)$16 to $17 per attempt | No compliance guarantee. A rejection means paying and queueing again. |
|---|---|
| USPS photo serviceabout $15 | Same deal: rejected means a second visit and a second fee. |
| Cheap online photo editors$1 to $3 | Most replace your background with software. Edited photos are a documented rejection reason for the US, UK and Canada since 2026, and refunds usually cover technical failures only. |
| Compliant Passport PhotoFree check. $9 only if it passes | We measure and crop your original, never edit it. Accepted or your money back. |
Retail prices are typical 2026 US prices and vary by location. Our guarantee: accepted or your money back.
Frequently asked questions
What size is an Australian passport photo?
Between 35 and 40 mm wide and 45 and 50 mm high, with the head measuring 32 to 36 mm from chin to crown. This tool crops to the standard 35 x 45 mm size, which fits the official range.
Can I smile in an Australian passport photo?
No, if you are over age 3. A smiling expression is an explicit example of an unacceptable photo. Children under 3 may have their mouth open.
Can my Australian passport photo be edited or retouched?
No. Retouching of any kind is not allowed. Removing moles, wrinkles, or scars is listed as not allowed and skin smoothing is explicitly unacceptable. This tool only measures, validates, and crops your original photo; it never alters the pixels.
Can I wear glasses or a head covering in an Australian passport photo?
Glasses are banned unless they medically cannot be removed; vision impairment alone is not accepted as a reason. Religious head coverings are allowed but must be plain, without patterns. Hearing aids are allowed, earbuds are not.
What are the rules for baby passport photos in Australia?
The photo must show only the baby: nobody else can be visible, including a parent's supporting hand. Children under 3 may have their mouth open. The photo must be less than 6 months old.