Leslie Massey
Australian passports have had a rich history of incorporating Indigenous artwork in their design. The most recent 'R' series passports, issued in September 2022, feature the artwork of esteemed Aboriginal artists, Uta Uta Tjangala and Michael Nelson Jagamara AM. The 'R' series also includes innovative security features, such as a hard polycarbonate data page, that are designed to prevent counterfeiting and identity theft. All Australian passports are biometric and valid for up to 12 months, meeting the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Obtaining an Australian passport can be a lengthy process, requiring an in-person interview and specific photo requirements, including dimensions of 35mm by 45mm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Passport Photo Size | 35mm x 45mm |
| Face Height | 32mm - 36mm |
| Distance from top of photo to top of hairstyle | 3mm |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Hearing aids | Allowed |
| Biometric | Yes |
| Concurrent Passports | Allowed |
| Validity | 7-12 months |
| Passport Cost | AUD$325 (as of May 2023); A$412 (as of 1 January 2025) |
| Security Features | Polycarbonate data page, Indigenous artwork, advanced security features to prevent counterfeiting and identity theft |
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What You'll Learn
Australian passport photo size: 35mm x 45mm
Australian passport photos must be 35mm by 45mm. This is not the same size as US passport photos, which are 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).
While it may be possible to trim a US passport photo to meet Australian size requirements, it is best to get your passport photo taken by a professional passport photo provider. In Australia, these include post offices, professional photographers, large chain stores with printing facilities, camera stores, some pharmacies and chemists, and other established reputable businesses.
If you are outside of Australia, you may be able to find drug stores that offer this service, such as Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Target, or AAA. Alternatively, you can use an online passport photo service or mobile app, bearing in mind that the Australian Passport Office recommends against this due to the risk of identity fraud.
When taking your passport photo, there are several guidelines you must follow. These include:
- No glasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses
- No hair or headwear obscuring the face, except for religious headgear such as a headscarf or yarmulke
- Face straight on to the camera, with no tilting or rotation
- Neutral facial expression (no smiling or mouth open)
- Even lighting with no shadows or glares
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US passport photo size
US passport photos must be taken in front of a white or off-white background, with the subject directly facing the camera. The subject must have a neutral expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open. Glasses are not permitted in US passport photos. The photo must be printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper. It must also be a recent photo, taken within the last 6 months, and it must closely resemble the subject's current appearance.
US passport photos must be sized at 2 inches by 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). This is larger than the Australian passport photo size of 35mm by 45mm.
When taking a US passport photo, it is important to ensure that the photo is not blurry, grainy, or pixelated. The subject should be clearly visible, with no shadows on their face. The photo should also be cropped correctly, with the subject's full head and shoulders in the frame.
If you are applying for a US passport or visa, it is important to ensure that your photos meet the specific requirements. While you can take the photo yourself, it is recommended to use a professional visa photo service to ensure that your photo complies with all the requirements.
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Getting passport photos in the US for an Australian passport
Australian passport photos are different from US passport photos and can be difficult to obtain in the United States. If you are in the US and need passport photos for an Australian passport, here are some things to keep in mind:
Photo Requirements
Australian passport photos must meet specific requirements, including:
- Dimensions: 35mm to 40mm in width and 45mm to 50mm in height. The size of the face from the chin to the crown can be up to a maximum of 36mm, with a minimum of 32mm.
- Lighting: Uniform lighting with no shadows or reflections, ensuring appropriate brightness and contrast to show natural skin tone. Avoid highlighters or cosmetics that cause shine on the face.
- Background: Plain and unretouched.
- Face: Centred and looking straight at the camera, not tilted.
- Head covering: Religious head coverings are allowed as long as they are plain, without patterns, and do not cover the face from the chin to the forehead, including the sides.
- Glasses: Not allowed unless they cannot be removed for medical reasons. If glasses must be worn, ensure the frames do not obscure the eyes, and there are no reflections from the lenses.
- Jewellery: Jewellery must not obscure any part of the face, especially the eyes, mouth, and nose. No reflections from rings or studs are permitted.
- Infants: For children under three years of age, a photo with an open mouth is acceptable, provided it complies with all other requirements.
Photographer Guidelines
When choosing a photographer in the US for your Australian passport photos, consider the following:
- Glossy prints: Ensure the photographer can produce glossy prints with the highest resolution.
- Printer type: The photographer must have a dye sublimation printer, as inkjet prints are not accepted.
- Lighting: Studio lighting is essential to ensure even lighting across your face and no shadows behind your ears or head.
- Retouching: The photographer must not remove the background or retouch the photo in any way.
- Quality check: Examine the photos carefully under a strong magnifying glass to ensure they meet all requirements and are free from marks, dots, ink spots, scratches, or printing stripes/pixels.
Recommended Photographers
While the Australian government does not endorse any specific photographer, they provide a map of photographers used by their clients with good results. You can find this map on their website. Additionally, some people on Reddit have recommended J Photo in Santa Clara for Australian passport photos.
Places to Avoid
The Australian government specifically states that photos taken at certain places are not accepted due to lighting and print quality issues. These places include Walgreens, CVS, RiteAid, Staples, FedEx, UPS, post offices, and AAA.
Taking Your Own Photo
You can also choose to take your photo at home using a smartphone or high-quality digital camera. There are online services that will size and print the image and mail the photos to you within the United States. However, be cautious and ensure your photos meet all the requirements.
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Photo requirements for Australian passports
Australian passports are not the same size as US passports. The Australian passport photo size is 35mm x 45mm, whereas the US passport photo size is typically 51mm x 51mm.
- Two identical, good-quality colour prints are required, produced using dye sublimation and not from an inkjet printer.
- The photos must be less than six months old.
- No retouching of any kind is allowed, including the removal of backgrounds, moles, wrinkles, or scars.
- The lighting must be uniform, with no shadows or reflections, and appropriate brightness and contrast to show natural skin tone.
- The face must be centred and looking straight at the camera, not tilted in any direction, with hair off the face so that the edges of the face are visible.
- The size of the face from chin to crown can be up to a maximum of 36mm, with a minimum of 32mm.
- The photos must be 35mm to 40mm wide and 45mm to 50mm high.
- If you usually cover your head for religious reasons, you can wear the covering in the photo. However, the covering must be plain and without patterns, and it should not obscure your face from the bottom of the chin to the top of your forehead.
- Jewellery must not obscure any part of your face, especially the eyes, mouth, and nose.
- Glasses are not allowed in passport photos. If you cannot remove them for medical reasons, the frames must not obscure your eyes, and there should be no reflection from the lenses.
- Hearing aids are allowed in passport photos for adults, children, and infants.
It is recommended to get your passport photo taken by a professional passport photo provider, such as a post office, professional photographer, camera store, or pharmacy.
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Where to get passport photos for an Australian passport
Australian passport photos are different from US passport photos and can be difficult to obtain in the United States. Australian passport photos must meet specific requirements, including size specifications and technical details.
Photography Studios
You can visit a professional photography studio that specializes in passport photos. In the Bay Area, for example, J Photo in Santa Clara is suggested by a user for its ability to trim photos to any size, including the Australian standard of 35mm x 45mm. A-1 Hour Photo in San Mateo is another option that has been accepted for Canadian passport photos.
Online Services
There are online services that allow you to upload your photo, taken by someone else (selfies are not allowed), and they will size and print the image to meet Australian passport requirements. These services then mail the photos to you.
Australia Post
If you are in Australia, you can visit participating Australia Post offices that offer passport and ID photo services. They provide both hard copy and digital passport photographs, which can be emailed to a specified address.
Smartphone or Digital Camera
You can also take a photo yourself using a smartphone or a high-quality digital camera. However, ensure that you review the Australian passport photo requirements and camera operator guidelines, such as lighting conditions and image resolution, before taking the photo.
It is important to carefully review and adhere to the Australian passport photo requirements, regardless of where you choose to get your passport photos taken.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian passport photos are 35mm x 45mm.
US passport photos are 2x2 inches.
Yes, you need to submit two physical photos with your Australian passport application.
No, you cannot apply for an Australian passport online. You should print your application and follow the instructions on the Australian Passport Office website.
