Australia Biometric Photo Size
35×45 mm, ICAO 9303
Author: Gözde Ural
Content editor at PhotoID Studio: visa and passport specifications
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How should a Australia passport photo look?
Australia asks for a light grey or neutral backdrop, not pure white; this is the first detail that sets the country apart from other ICAO standards. The format is 35×45 mm with the head in a 32-36 mm range. The same size is valid for Australian passport, visa and citizenship applications and for foreigners: there are not two separate formats. Two identical prints are required, and a guarantor signature is requested on the back.
Photo Size
35×45 mm
Head Ratio
70%
Eye Position
56% from bottom
Top Margin
3-5 mm
Background Color
White
Standard
ICAO 9303
Requirements & Notes
Australian passport photos require a white background. Glasses must be removed. Must be taken within the last 6 months.
The bodies that set the spec
The standard is published by DFAT (passports.gov.au) for passports and by the Department of Home Affairs for citizenship and visas. The photo must be submitted within six months of the capture date. The same 35×45 mm format is mainly used for passport and citizenship files; Medicare and similar cards are secondary.
Workflow after the shoot
The frame is sent to PhotoID Studio and the Australia preset is selected; the app aligns the face and normalises the backdrop to a light grey, then exports 35×45 mm at 300 DPI. Two identical prints are laid out automatically on 10×15 cm paper; the applicant writes their own name on the back of one print, and the guarantor signs the other with "This is a true photo of [full name]".
Capture setup and direction
Seat the customer 1.5-2 m in front of the light grey backdrop with shoulders parallel to the camera. Mount the camera on a tripod and keep the lens at eye level. Standard setup: a 50-85 mm portrait lens, f/8 aperture, a softbox at 45° with a reflector on the opposite side. Cue the customer with "chin slightly back, mouth closed, eyes fully open, neutral expression"; no smile. The glasses rule is strict: removing them without a medical certificate is the safest path.
DFAT rejection reasons
• Pure white or coloured backdrop: only light grey or neutral tones are accepted. • Wrong format: a 50×60 mm Turkish or 51×51 mm US print is not accepted. • Head height outside the 32-36 mm range. • Glasses: banned without a medical certificate; even a dioptric exception requires a signed letter. • Missing guarantor signature, or signed by an ineligible person (relative or the photographer). • A frame older than six months from the capture date. • Smiling, visible teeth, or an open mouth. • Two prints coming from different framings or different sessions.
For studios serving Australian passport and citizenship flows
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth see year-round demand for passport renewal, citizenship ceremonies and PR. Because the guarantor step happens after the print, the studio role is correct backdrop tone and framing. The PhotoID Studio Australia preset locks the light grey backdrop and the 32-36 mm head height.
Used For
- Passport
- Visa
- Citizenship application
- Driver's licence
- Proof of age card
- Firearms licence
- Security industry licence
- Working with children check
Official Sources
Official websites where Australia biometric photo size and requirements are verified:
Similar Sizes
Related guides
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Passport Photo Requirements
Size, background, head height, glasses and expression: what every authority checks
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US 2×2 in, Europe 35×45 mm: every dimension in one chart
Frequently asked questions
- Should an Australian passport photo have a white background?
No. passports.gov.au requires light grey or a neutral tone, not pure white. A pure-white print is one of the most common rejection reasons.
- Who is a guarantor: can the photographer sign?
A guarantor is a person who knows the applicant and is named on the application form; the photographer is not a guarantor. The guarantor writes "This is a true photo of [full name]" on the back of the print and signs.
- Is the same format valid for citizens and foreigners?
Yes. Australia uses a single format: 35×45 mm on a light grey backdrop. The same print is accepted for passport, visa and citizenship files.
- Can the photo be taken with glasses?
The default rule is no. Glasses are accepted only for dioptric exceptions backed by a medical certificate, and even then any glare is rejected.
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