Australian Passport Photo Requirements
Updated · PixKB
Australian passport photos are printed photos with precise sizes and printing rules. Unlike US, UK or Canadian online applications, the Australian Passport Office publishes no pixel or file-size spec for you to upload. These are its rules, from passports.gov.au (read 26 October 2026).
The rules at a glance
| Rule | Australian passport photo |
|---|---|
| Size | 35–40 mm wide, 45–50 mm high |
| Face | Chin to crown 32–36 mm |
| Printing | Colour prints "produced using dye sublimation (i.e. not from an inkjet printer)" on "heavy-weight, glossy paper (minimum 200 gsm)" |
| Background | Plain white or light grey, contrasting with your face |
| Age of photo | Less than 6 months old |
| Glasses | Not allowed unless you can't remove them for medical reasons |
| Head coverings | Religious coverings allowed; must be plain, without patterns (even small ones) |
| Pixels / file size | Not stated: no digital spec is published |
Online renewal
Search listings for passports.gov.au describe online renewal as retrieving your digital passport photo with a photo code from your photo provider, rather than uploading a file yourself. We couldn't open that page to confirm the details (it returned "Access denied" when we checked), so follow the instructions on passports.gov.au.
Can PixKB make an Australian passport photo?
No, and we'd rather say so. The rules require dye-sublimation prints on heavy glossy paper, which a home inkjet can't produce, and online renewals use the provider's photo code. Use a photo provider. PixKB is useful for the many forms that do take a digital upload: see photo requirements by country, including the UK and Canada.
Frequently asked questions
What size is an Australian passport photo?
35–40 mm wide and 45–50 mm high, with 32–36 mm from chin to crown.
Can I print an Australian passport photo at home?
The rules require colour prints made by dye sublimation, not an inkjet printer, on glossy paper of at least 200 gsm, so a home inkjet print doesn't qualify.
What background is allowed?
Plain white or light grey, contrasting with your face.
How recent must the photo be?
Less than 6 months old.
Can I wear glasses?
No, unless you can't remove them for medical reasons.
Is there a digital photo size for online renewal?
No pixel or file-size spec is published. Online renewal uses a photo code from your photo provider, according to passports.gov.au search listings; check the site for current steps.