Australia passport photo size — 35×45 mm DFAT dimensions

Exact dimensions and pixel size

Australia uses the ICAO 9303 portrait standard at 35×45 mm. At 600 DPI this is approximately 827×1063 pixels for digital submission. The DFAT Australian Passport Office accepts JPEG with file size up to 1 MB through the online renewal portal; for paper applications submitted at Australia Post outlets, two printed 35×45 mm photos are required, signed on the reverse by a guarantor for first-time applications.

The Australian dimensions align with the broader Commonwealth and Schengen 35×45 mm cluster (UK, NZ, Ireland, Schengen states), but background colour expectations diverge across the cluster — DFAT prefers light grey, NZ explicitly rejects pure white, Italy permits white or very light grey, and the UK accepts both. Always render to the specific destination spec rather than reusing a generic 35×45 mm photo.

Head height and framing

Head height chin to crown — hair included — must measure 32-36 mm, occupying 70-80% of the photo height. This is markedly tighter framing than the US 2×2 spec. Eyes should sit at about 60% from the bottom; face squared to the camera, no head tilt or rotation.

Shoulders must be visible at the bottom edge. The DFAT photo guidance explicitly calls out that the head must not be too small — a common amateur error from selfies. The Passport Office runs an automated face-detection check that flags heads below 30 mm in the 45 mm frame.

Background — light grey, not pure white

DFAT's guidance asks for a 'light plain' background — interpreted as light grey, off-white, or cream. Pure #FFFFFF is technically acceptable but the Australian Passport Office's automated checker frequently classifies it as 'overexposed background' when combined with light clothing, producing false rejections.

Light grey around #EEEEEE is the safe operational choice and is what complypic applies by default. The background must be uniform with no shadows behind the head — visible wall shadows from indoor lighting are the second-most-common rejection cause.

Recency, glasses and expression

The photo must be taken within the last 6 months. DFAT compares against your previous passport on file as part of the eligibility check. Significant divergence (different hair colour, weight change, new beard) is flagged for officer review but rarely rejected outright.

Glasses of any kind are prohibited. Religious head coverings are accepted only when the face is fully visible from chin to forehead and not shadowed. Expression must be neutral with mouth closed; eyes open and looking at the lens directly.

Australian Passport Office and consular requirements

For adult renewal through the Passport Office online portal, you upload a digital JPG sized to 35×45 mm at 600 DPI. For first-time applications and child passports, you must lodge two printed photos at an Australia Post outlet alongside the application form; one photo must be signed on the reverse by a guarantor.

Australian consulates abroad (London, Singapore, LA, Manila) handle emergency passport replacement using the same 35×45 mm light-grey spec. The 4×6 inch print sheet from complypic includes two correctly cropped photos suitable for guarantor signing at an Australia Post outlet.

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