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AUSTRALIA - NEW ZWALAND - USA - UK - PHILLIPINES - GERMANY - SOUTH KOREA - HONGKONG - VIETNAM - MALAYSIA - ITALY - SRILANKA - CANADA - CHINA - INDIA - JAPAN - NEPAL - BANGLADESH - IRAQ - IRAN - LEBANON - PAKISTAN
AUSTRALIA - NEW ZWALAND - USA - UK - PHILLIPINES - GERMANY - SOUTH KOREA - HONGKONG - VIETNAM - MALAYSIA - ITALY - SRILANKA - CANADA - CHINA - INDIA - JAPAN - NEPAL - BANGLADESH - IRAQ - IRAN - LEBANON - PAKISTAN
AUSTRALIA - NEW ZWALAND - USA - UK - PHILLIPINES - GERMANY - SOUTH KOREA - HONGKONG - VIETNAM - MALAYSIA - ITALY - SRILANKA - CANADA - CHINA - INDIA - JAPAN - NEPAL - BANGLADESH - IRAQ - IRAN - LEBANON - PAKISTAN
AUSTRALIA - NEW ZWALAND - USA - UK - PHILLIPINES - GERMANY - SOUTH KOREA - HONGKONG - VIETNAM - MALAYSIA - ITALY - SRILANKA - CANADA - CHINA - INDIA - JAPAN - NEPAL - BANGLADESH - IRAQ - IRAN - LEBANON - PAKISTAN
AUSTRALIA - NEW ZWALAND - USA - UK - PHILLIPINES - GERMANY - SOUTH KOREA - HONGKONG - VIETNAM - MALAYSIA - ITALY - SRILANKA - CANADA - CHINA - INDIA - JAPAN - NEPAL - BANGLADESH - IRAQ - IRAN - LEBANON - PAKISTAN
AUSTRALIA - NEW ZWALAND - USA - UK - PHILLIPINES - GERMANY - SOUTH KOREA - HONGKONG - VIETNAM - MALAYSIA - ITALY - SRILANKA - CANADA - CHINA - INDIA - JAPAN - NEPAL - BANGLADESH - IRAQ - IRAN - LEBANON - PAKISTAN
AUSTRALIA - NEW ZWALAND - USA - UK - PHILLIPINES - GERMANY - SOUTH KOREA - HONGKONG - VIETNAM - MALAYSIA - ITALY - SRILANKA - CANADA - CHINA - INDIA - JAPAN - NEPAL - BANGLADESH - IRAQ - IRAN - LEBANON - PAKISTAN
AUSTRALIA - NEW ZWALAND - USA - UK - PHILLIPINES - GERMANY - SOUTH KOREA - HONGKONG - VIETNAM - MALAYSIA - ITALY - SRILANKA - CANADA - CHINA - INDIA - JAPAN - NEPAL - BANGLADESH - IRAQ - IRAN - LEBANON - PAKISTAN
AUSTRALIA - NEW ZWALAND - USA - UK - PHILLIPINES - GERMANY - SOUTH KOREA - HONGKONG - VIETNAM - MALAYSIA - ITALY - SRILANKA - CANADA - CHINA - INDIA - JAPAN - NEPAL - BANGLADESH - IRAQ - IRAN - LEBANON - PAKISTAN
🇦🇺 Official 2026 Guide — DFAT Australian Passport Office
Australian Passport
Photo Requirements
2026 — Full Guide
Get it right the first time. 35–40mm wide, 45–50mm high, white or light grey background, 2 photos, no glasses. Guarantor rules, baby photos, renewal vs new, 2026 fees — all verified from DFAT.
35–40mm × 45–50mm
White or light grey
2 photos
No glasses
★★★★★
4.9 · 28,000+ Australian applications reviewed · Expert checked
🇦🇺 Quick Reference — DFAT / APO 2026
Photo dimensions35–40mm wide × 45–50mm high
Face height (chin to crown)32–36mm
BackgroundPlain white or light grey
Photos required2 identical
RecencyWithin 6 months
ExpressionNeutral — mouth closed
Glasses❌ Not permitted
Religious head covering✅ Permitted if plain + face visible
Print qualityHigh-gloss, min ~200gsm
Guarantor (renewal)NOT required — renewals only
Guarantor (new passport)Required — paper form
White / light grey
35–40mm
45–50mm
💡 2026 fees: Adult 10-year passport $427. Allow 6 weeks standard processing. Priority (+$274 ≈ 2 days) or Fast Track (+$115 ≈ 5 days) available.
Accepted vs Rejected — Real Examples
See exactly what passes and fails
at the Australian Passport Office.
Illustrative examples based on the most common rejection causes we see every week. Use the tabs or arrows to switch scenario.
Why it passes
Both ears clearly visible
Glasses removed
Neutral expression, mouth closed
Plain white background, no shadows
32–36mm face height (chin to crown)
Plain white background, shadow-free
Both ears fully visible
Neutral expression, eyes open
Correct face height — chin to crown
Baby alone — no hands or arms visible
Plain white sheet as background
Face forward-facing, clearly visible
No toys, dummies or objects in frame
Plain, solid-colour hijab — no patterns
Full face visible chin to forehead
Both sides of face clearly visible
White background, good contrast
Why it's rejected
Glasses not permitted (even prescription)
Hair covering both ears
Expression too strong — slight smile
Coloured or dark background
Shadow cast behind head
Head slightly tilted
Parent's hand or arm visible in frame
Patterned blanket or coloured background
Dummy or object in mouth
Patterned hijab — even subtle patterns fail
Sides of face not fully visible
Coloured background reduces contrast
Every rule explained
What each requirement means —
and why it actually matters.
The exact spec, the reason it exists, and what trips people up. Everything in one place.
No glasses
NOT ALLOWED
Spec: Not permitted — vision impairment is not an exemption
The rule most people don't know about. The APO banned glasses around 2014. It doesn't matter if you've worn prescription glasses your whole life — remove them, take the photo, put them back. Thirty seconds. The only exception is a genuine documented medical condition where glasses literally cannot physically be removed. If that applies to you, call 131 232 before your appointment.
❌ Remove glasses every time — no exceptions for vision impairment
Face height
REQUIRED
Spec: 32–36mm chin to crown of skull
The #1 technical rejection cause. "Crown" means top of skull — not top of hair. In a 45mm photo this is roughly 70–80% of total height. Camera too far away = face too small. Too close = too large. Professional labs calibrate this automatically.
⚠️ Most DIY home photos fail on this — the camera is usually too far back
Both ears visible
REQUIRED
Spec: Both ears must be clearly visible
Australia-specific biometric requirement — most countries don't have this rule. Ear position is used in facial geometry calculations for SmartGate. Pull hair behind both ears before the photo. Long fringes, hair framing the face, or hair over the shoulders all cause rejection.
❌ Hair over ears = one of the top 3 rejection causes we see
Background colour
REQUIRED
Spec: Plain white or plain light grey — both accepted
Unlike Iran (white only) or Germany (grey only), Australia accepts both. Must be completely uniform, shadow-free, and contrast with your face and clothing. Stand 1 metre from the wall to avoid your shadow appearing behind you. Don't wear white against white.
💡 Quick test: photograph just the background before you stand in front of it
Neutral expression
REQUIRED
Spec: Neutral — mouth closed, eyes open, head level
Both eyes open, looking at the lens — not the screen. No smile, no frown. Head perfectly level. This matters for biometric matching: smiling alters the distances between facial landmarks stored on the passport chip. Children under 3 are the only exception — open mouth is allowed.
Even lighting, no shadows
REQUIRED
Spec: No shadows on face or background
The second most common home photo failure. A single lamp from one side creates shadows on the opposite cheek and behind the head. Fix: two lights at 45° either side, or face a large window on an overcast day. Both cheeks must look equally bright.
⚠️ Shadow check: zoom into both cheeks after — equal brightness = good lighting
No digital editing
REQUIRED
Spec: No filters, retouching, skin smoothing, or AI enhancement
Phones apply many of these automatically without asking — Portrait Mode, Smart HDR, Beauty Mode, AI Scene Optimizer. The APO's review systems detect editing artefacts. Disable all enhancements in your camera settings before taking the photo, not just the shooting mode.
❌ Portrait Mode and Beauty Mode are on by default on most phones — turn them off
Religious head coverings
PERMITTED
Spec: Permitted if worn daily for religious reasons
Must be plain — no patterns of any kind, even small or subtle ones. Full face must be visible from chin to forehead. Both sides of the face must be clearly visible. Head coverings for fashion, warmth, or style are not permitted. Hearing aids are always allowed.
💡 Choose a solid colour that contrasts clearly with your background
Print quality
REQUIRED
Spec: High-gloss, heavy-weight paper — minimum ~200gsm
No home inkjet printing on regular paper. Professional photo labs use the correct glossy stock. The paper quality is a specific technical specification — not just aesthetic. This is one reason home-printed photos consistently fail even when the image itself looks fine on screen.
Recency & quantity
REQUIRED
Spec: Taken within last 6 months · 2 identical colour photos
Both photos must be from the same session — same clothing, same expression, same framing. Must reflect current appearance. For new passport paper applications, the guarantor writes on the back of ONE photo only. Never write on both. Don't staple — store in a sleeve.
Children & babies
AGE RULES APPLY
Spec: Same as adults — one exception for under-3s
Children under 3 may have an open mouth — the only age-based exception in the entire DFAT guidelines. No other people, toys, dummies, or objects in frame. For babies: lay on a plain white sheet and photograph from above. The sheet becomes the background automatically.
💡 Overhead shot on a white sheet is the easiest baby passport photo method
Why photo quality actually matters
Your passport photo powers
Australia's SmartGate.
Australia's ePassport contains a microchip storing your biometric facial data — the geometry of your face, captured from your passport photo. At every airport SmartGate, the system photographs your live face and compares it against what's on the chip. A poor-quality photo doesn't just risk rejection at the post office; it affects how well the system recognises you at the border.
🔬
Biometrics measure face geometry, not just appearance
Distance between eyes, nose bridge width, jaw angle, cheekbone position, ear placement — all captured from your photo and stored on the chip. Shadows distort these measurements. A tilted head skews them. A smile widens them. That's why the rules are strict.
🛫
Australia introduced ePassports in 2005 — one of the first countries
On 24 October 2005, Australia became one of the first countries worldwide to introduce biometric ePassports. All Australian passports issued since contain the embedded chip. SmartGate runs on this data for automated border clearance.
📱
Why phones silently ruin passport photos
Portrait Mode blurs backgrounds but also slightly softens facial edges — altering measured distances. Beauty Mode smooths skin and can narrow the nose. Smart HDR brightens shadowed areas — which sounds helpful, but changes tonal values used in biometric processing. None of these are visible to the naked eye in a small photo. They're all detectable by the APO's review systems.
🛡️ What Miniml checks before printing
Face height (32–36mm) · Background uniformity · Shadow detection · Expression check · Ear visibility · Hair obstruction · Editing artefacts · Paper specification. Every one of these is reviewed by a trained expert before we print your two photos. It's why our rejection rate is low enough that we can offer a free reprint guarantee.
❌ What the APO's system catches
Wrong face height · Shadows on face or background · Glasses · Hair over ears · Editing patterns (smoothing, brightness adjustment) · Wrong paper stock · Wrong background colour. These are the same things our expert checks — so by the time your photos leave us, they've already been through one rigorous review.
💡 The thing most people don't realise
A passport photo taken at Australia Post uses professional lighting, calibrated sizing, and proper photo paper stock. All three are hard to replicate at home without guidance. That's not a knock on home photos — it's why the expert review step Miniml adds matters. We catch what phones miss.
Most misunderstood rule
Guarantor and referee —
do you actually need one?
More people get confused about this than almost anything else. The short answer: if you're renewing, no. Here's the full picture.
1
Renewing your passport? No guarantor needed.
Adult renewal using the PC7 form requires no guarantor and no referee. Write your full name on the back of one photo in black pen. That's it. This is the most commonly misunderstood point — many people spend days trying to find a guarantor for a simple renewal when they don't need one.
✅ PC7 Renewal = no guarantor. Write name in black pen on back of ONE photo only.
2
New passport? You need a guarantor (paper) or referee (online).
A first-ever passport, a new adult passport, or an application on the PC8 form requires identity verification. Paper form: a guarantor signs Section 11 and writes "This is a true photo of [your full name]" in black pen on the back of one photo. Online form: you nominate a referee who doesn't sign anything but must confirm your identity if the APO contacts them.
3
The photo endorsement: one photo only, black pen, written directly.
Write on ONE photo — not both. Use a black ballpoint pen only. Write directly on the back of the photo — no sticky labels. Don't staple photos to the application form. Put both photos in a separate protective sleeve. The second photo must remain completely unmarked.
⚠️ Common mistake: writing on both photos. Only ONE gets the endorsement.
4
Not sure which form applies to you?
Call the Australian Passport Office on 131 232 (8:30am–5pm AEST, Mon–Fri). They'll tell you in under a minute. Don't guess. Getting the form type wrong — and realising at the post office — wastes everyone's time.
Guarantor eligibility checklist
All of these must be true
Age
18 years or older (no upper limit)
Nationality
Must be an Australian citizen
Knows you for
More than 12 months personally (since birth for children under 1)
Address
Must NOT live at your address
Relationship
Not related by birth, marriage, or de facto partnership
Passport or electoral roll
Current Australian passport (2+ years valid) OR listed on electoral roll at current address for 12+ months
Contactable
Reachable by phone during normal business hours
Who counts? Doctors, teachers, accountants, lawyers, neighbours, colleagues
Any adult Australian citizen who meets the criteria above. Common choices: your GP, a work colleague, a long-standing neighbour, an accountant, or a friend who has a current Australian passport. They don't need to be a professional — they just need to be an Australian citizen who has known you for more than a year.
Navigate your situation
Renewal or new passport —
which process applies to you?
Different forms, different requirements. Knowing which one saves time at the post office.
Renewal — PC7 Form
Simpler. No guarantor.
Previous passport issued when you were 16 or older
Previous passport expired less than 3 years ago
No name or gender change needed
No guarantor required — just write your name on one photo
Complete form online at passports.gov.au or call 131 232
Lodge and pay at any participating Australia Post
Your current passport is cancelled on lodging — don't travel until new one arrives
New Passport — Full Application
Extra steps. Guarantor required.
First ever Australian passport
Previous passport expired more than 3 years ago
Previous passport issued before age 16
Name or gender change requiring a new passport
Lost, stolen, or damaged passport
Guarantor (paper) or referee (online) required
Green paper form from post office or online portal
More identity documents required
Not sure? One phone call sorts it.
Call 131 232 (Mon–Fri, 8:30am–5pm AEST). They'll confirm which form you need in under two minutes. Getting this wrong at the post office means rebooking and starting again.
2026 fees & processing times
Australian passport fees —
from 1 January 2026.
Fees increased 1 January 2026 with CPI. All fees are set by DFAT and are non-refundable once lodged.
Adult — Standard
$427 AUD
10-year validity · Allow 6 weeks · Registered Post delivery
Applicants 16 and over. New and renewal both cost the same. Complete applications typically process in 3–4 weeks during quiet periods; allow the full 6 weeks during school holidays and Christmas.
Adult — Priority
$701 AUD
10-year validity · ~2 business days processing + delivery
$427 standard + $274 priority fee. Evidence of urgent travel required. Approximately 2 business days processing time, then Registered Post delivery. Available for adults 16+.
Adult — Fast Track
$542 AUD
10-year validity · ~5 business days processing + delivery
$427 standard + $115 Fast Track fee. Mid-tier between standard and priority. Approximately 5 business days processing, then delivery.
Child Passport
$216 AUD
5-year validity · Both parents must consent · Same 6-week window
Under-16. Children cannot be added to a parent's passport — they need their own. Overseas applicants pay additional $94 surcharge. Both parents or guardians must consent.
Senior — 75+
$216 AUD
5-year option available · Or choose standard 10-year at $427
Applicants 75 and over can choose either a 5-year passport ($216) or a standard 10-year ($427). The 5-year option is only available to those 75+.
Overseas Surcharge
+$191 (adults)
Added for applications via Embassy or Consulate
Adults and seniors: +$191. Children: +$94. Emergency passports (urgent overseas travel): $265 — may not contain a biometric chip.
Renew 12–18 months early — here's why
Many countries require 6 months of passport validity remaining for entry. If your passport expires in 8 months, you may be denied boarding for a trip in 3 months. Renew early. And remember: your current passport is cancelled the moment you lodge a renewal — so you can't use it as ID or for travel until the new one arrives.
Children & babies
Australian passport photos for babies —
what the rules actually allow.
Every child needs their own passport. These are the exact rules, including the only age-based exception in the whole DFAT guidelines.
What's allowed for babies and children
Children under 3: mouth may be open — the only age exception in the entire DFAT guidelines
Very young infants: eyes don't need to be perfectly open — some tolerance allowed
Same size as adults: 35–40mm × 45–50mm, face 32–36mm
White or light grey background — same rule as adults
Lay baby on a white or grey sheet, photograph from above — sheet becomes the background automatically
Cover a car seat with a white sheet to support baby's head while creating the background
What's NOT allowed even for newborns
No other person visible — no hands, no arms, no shadow of a parent
No toys, dummies, bottles, blankets, or objects in the frame
No hats or headwear (unless worn daily for religious reasons)
No digital editing — same strict rule as adults
No coloured or patterned backgrounds
Child passport application rules
Both parents must consent — even for renewal
A parent or guardian must lodge the application in person
Children aged 16–17 must also attend in person
Children under 16 do not need to attend
Parental consent form (B9) required if both parents can't attend together
Child passport valid for 5 years: $216 from 1 Jan 2026
A guarantor/referee is required for a child's new passport
The overhead shot — easiest baby photo method
Lay baby on a white or light grey sheet on the floor. Stand directly above and photograph straight down. The sheet becomes the background. Make sure room lighting is even — no direct overhead bulb casting shadows on the face. Take 30+ shots. Babies move constantly. You need volume to find one where the face is clearly visible and forward-facing.
Invisible parent — doesn't work
A common attempt: hold the baby from behind, mostly out of frame. Even one visible hand or finger causes rejection. The child must be the only thing in the photo. If you're struggling, book a passport photo session at your nearest Australia Post — they know how to handle babies.
Quick reference
Do's & Don'ts
You MUST do this
✓Photo 35–40mm wide × 45–50mm high
✓Face 32–36mm chin to crown
✓Plain white or light grey background
✓Two identical colour photos, same session
✓Both ears clearly visible
✓Photo taken within last 6 months
✓Neutral expression — eyes open, mouth closed
✓High-quality glossy photo paper (~200gsm)
✓Even lighting — no shadows on face or background
✓Guarantor endorses ONE photo (new passport, paper form only)
You must NEVER do this
✗Wear glasses (unless genuine medical exemption)
✗Let hair cover your ears or the sides of your face
✗Smile, frown, or tilt your head
✗Use Portrait Mode, Beauty Mode, or any AI enhancement
✗Print on regular inkjet paper
✗Use a coloured, patterned, or textured background
✗Wear a hat or non-religious head covering
✗Have shadows on your face or background
✗Wear large reflective jewellery
✗Submit photos more than 6 months old
Step by step
How to take your Australian passport photo
at home — and actually get it right.
You don't need a studio. You need a plain wall, decent light, and five minutes of setup. Here's what actually works.
1
Choose your background — white or light grey
A plain white wall is easiest. A light grey sheet hung behind you works equally well — Australia accepts both. Check it by photographing just the background before you stand in front of it: it should look the same shade as a blank piece of white or light grey paper on your screen. If you see a colour cast, shadow, or visible texture, fix your lighting first.
Quick test: photo the bare background. White or grey, uniform, no shadows. If yes — proceed. Stand 1 metre from the wall to prevent your shadow falling on it.
2
Set up even lighting — two sources, both sides
This is the most important setup step. Face a large window on an overcast day — diffused natural light from a window is almost perfect. Or use two lamps at 45° on each side. One lamp from one side creates shadows on the other side of your face and behind your head. This fails the APO's review every time.
Shadow check: take a test shot, zoom in on both cheeks. Both should look equally bright. The background behind your head should be uniformly white or grey with no darker oval behind you. If one side is darker — add more light from that side.
3
Remove glasses. Pull hair back. Check your clothing.
Remove all glasses. Pull hair back so both ears are clearly visible — this is a biometric requirement specific to Australia. Wear everyday clothing in a colour that contrasts with your background. Avoid white tops against a white background.
4
Disable every phone enhancement feature — all of them
This step most people miss. Modern phones apply improvements automatically. They all need to be turned off.
iPhone: Turn off Portrait Mode. Go to Settings → Camera → turn off Smart HDR and Photographic Styles. Use the regular Photo mode — not Portrait, not Video.
Samsung/Android: In the camera app, disable Beauty Mode, AI Scene Optimizer, and any filter. Use the standard camera only — not Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat cameras.
Use the rear camera with a timer or ask someone to take it. The selfie camera has barrel distortion and lower resolution.
Samsung/Android: In the camera app, disable Beauty Mode, AI Scene Optimizer, and any filter. Use the standard camera only — not Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat cameras.
Use the rear camera with a timer or ask someone to take it. The selfie camera has barrel distortion and lower resolution.
5
Take 20+ shots, review on a large screen
Head level. Eyes open, looking at the lens — not the screen. Mouth gently closed. Neutral expression. Take at least 20 photos and review them on a laptop or TV (not just your phone screen — small screens hide problems that the APO's review will catch). Look for: both ears visible, both cheeks equally lit, no shadow behind the head, genuine neutral expression.
6
Upload to Miniml — we handle the rest
Upload your best shot and select Australia. We resize to the correct 35–40mm × 45–50mm format, calibrate the face height to 32–36mm, verify or apply the correct background, and expert-review against all DFAT criteria before printing two professional photos on high-quality glossy paper. Delivered to any Australian address in 1–2 business days. From $8 — less than half what Australia Post charges.
Why it matters: Even a technically good home photo can fail on face height or shadow if not professionally reviewed. Our expert review step catches what phones miss — and our acceptance guarantee means if the APO rejects the photo for any compliance reason, we reprint for free. Order now →
Where to get your photo
Honest comparison —
Australian passport photo providers.
All compliant providers apply the same DFAT specifications. The difference is price, convenience, and whether there's an expert review step.
Miniml
Expert-reviewed, printed, delivered 1–2 days to any Australian address
from $8 for 2 prints
Expert review before printing
Professional glossy photo paper
1–2 day delivery Australia-wide
Free reprint if rejected
Order any time — no appointments
📮
Australia Post
Walk-in, no appointment, most towns
$21.95 for 2 prints
Instant — no delivery wait
Staff know APO requirements
Free retake if rejected
Most expensive in-store option
Queues can be long
🖨️
Officeworks
Available at most Officeworks — mainly big cities
$17.95 for 2 prints
Cheaper than Australia Post
Instant
Limited to larger cities
No acceptance guarantee mentioned
Digital copy availability varies
Photo Booths
Shopping centres, stations — convenient but variable
$12–18 per strip
Widely available
Instant
Lighting quality varies a lot
APO notes booths are frequently rejected
No guarantees
The Australian Passport Office specifically warns against photo booths and online-only apps
From passports.gov.au: "We do not recommend using an online passport photo service or a mobile app." They also note that photo booths frequently produce non-compliant results. Miniml's service is different — we're not a resize tool. We review your photo against all 12 APO criteria before printing. That review step is what the APO is actually asking you to get from a "professional provider."
Passport office locations
Australian Passport Offices —
state by state.
All eight capital city offices. Appointments are mandatory for applications. Walk-in for collections only. Phone: 131 232 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm AEST.
Sydney
New South Wales
Address
Level 7, 280 Elizabeth Street (near Central Station), Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:00pm · Appointment required
Parking
Street parking on Mary Street side
Transport
Central Station — 3 min walk
Melbourne
Victoria
Address
Ground Floor, Collins Place (enter via Exhibition Street), Melbourne VIC 3000
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:00pm · Appointment required
Parking
Collins Place (First Parking), entry via 28 Flinders Lane
Transport
Flinders Street Station — 5 min walk
Brisbane
Queensland
Address
17th Floor, 150 Charlotte Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:00pm · Appointment required
Parking
Queens Plaza or Central Plaza (Wilson Parking)
Transport
Central Station — 8 min walk
Perth
Western Australia
Address
Level 1, 140 William Street (entry via stairs or lift off William Street), Perth WA 6000
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:00pm · Appointment required
Parking
His Majesty's Theatre or Raine Square (Wilson Parking)
Transport
Perth Underground Station — 6 min walk
Adelaide
South Australia
Address
Level 1, 55 Currie Street, Adelaide SA 5000 · Collections: Level 5
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:00pm · Appointment required
Parking
Playhouse Lane (K-Park) or Topham Mall (U-Park)
Transport
Adelaide Railway Station — 10 min walk
Canberra
Australian Capital Territory
Address
RG Casey Building, Sydney Avenue, Barton ACT 2600 · Enter via Sydney Avenue
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:00pm · Appointment required
Parking
Street parking on Sydney Avenue · Little National Hotel nearby
Transport
ACTION bus routes via Barton — Parliament House nearby
Hobart
Tasmania
Address
Level 1, 111 Macquarie Street, Hobart TAS 7000
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:00pm · Appointment required
Parking
Argyle Street Carpark (City of Hobart)
Transport
Metro Tasmania services to city centre stops
Darwin
Northern Territory
Address
Level 7, TCG Centre, 80 Mitchell Street, Darwin NT 0800
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:00pm · Appointment required
Parking
Street parking on Mitchell Street · Mitchell Centre (entry via Knuckey St)
Transport
Darwinbus city centre routes — Mitchell Street stop
Sydney
New South Wales
1 / 8
Address
Level 7, 280 Elizabeth Street (near Central Station), Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:00pm · Appointment required
Parking
Street parking on Mary Street side
Transport
Central Station — 3 min walk
Melbourne
Victoria
2 / 8
Address
Ground Floor, Collins Place (enter via Exhibition Street), Melbourne VIC 3000
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:00pm · Appointment required
Parking
Collins Place (First Parking), entry via 28 Flinders Lane
Transport
Flinders Street Station — 5 min walk
Brisbane
Queensland
3 / 8
Address
17th Floor, 150 Charlotte Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:00pm · Appointment required
Parking
Queens Plaza or Central Plaza (Wilson Parking)
Transport
Central Station — 8 min walk
Perth
Western Australia
4 / 8
Address
Level 1, 140 William Street (entry via stairs or lift), Perth WA 6000
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:00pm · Appointment required
Parking
His Majesty's Theatre or Raine Square (Wilson Parking)
Transport
Perth Underground Station — 6 min walk
Adelaide
South Australia
5 / 8
Address
Level 1, 55 Currie Street, Adelaide SA 5000 · Collections: Level 5
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:00pm · Appointment required
Parking
Playhouse Lane (K-Park) or Topham Mall (U-Park)
Transport
Adelaide Railway Station — 10 min walk
Canberra
Australian Capital Territory
6 / 8
Address
RG Casey Building, Sydney Avenue, Barton ACT 2600 · Enter via Sydney Avenue
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:00pm · Appointment required
Parking
Street parking on Sydney Avenue
Transport
ACTION bus routes via Barton
Hobart
Tasmania
7 / 8
Address
Level 1, 111 Macquarie Street, Hobart TAS 7000
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:00pm · Appointment required
Parking
Argyle Street Carpark (City of Hobart)
Transport
Metro Tasmania city centre stops
Darwin
Northern Territory
8 / 8
Address
Level 7, TCG Centre, 80 Mitchell Street, Darwin NT 0800
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:00pm · Appointment required
Parking
Street parking on Mitchell St · Mitchell Centre (via Knuckey St)
Transport
Darwinbus — Mitchell Street stop
Appointments are mandatory — book online before you go
All Australian Passport Offices require an appointment for applications. Walk-ins are only accepted for passport collections. Book at passports.gov.au or call 131 232. Most offices are appointment-only Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:00pm. Closed on national and state public holidays.
Avoid rejection
Why Australian passport photos fail —
based on what we actually see.
These aren't theoretical — they're the patterns we see in applications every week.
1
Wrong face height — chin-to-crown not 32–36mm
The most common technical failure for home photos. Camera too far away = face too small. Too close = too large. Crown means the top of the skull, not the top of the hair. Professional labs calibrate this automatically. It's the main reason DIY photos that "look fine" still get rejected.
Match 32–36mm face
2
Shadows — on face or background
A single lamp from one side creates shadows on the opposite side of the face and behind the head. Even shadows that look minor on a phone screen are caught by the APO review. Two equal light sources at 45°, or a large overcast window, fixes this completely.
Two lights at 45°
3
Phone beauty filters — silently applied
This is the one people are most surprised by. Portrait Mode, Smart HDR, Beauty Mode, AI Scene Optimizer — phones apply these automatically without asking. The APO's review can detect editing artefacts. Disable everything before you take the photo. Check your phone's camera settings, not just the mode you're shooting in.
Disable all enhancements
4
Hair covering ears — an Australia-specific requirement
Most other countries don't explicitly require both ears to be visible. Australia does. Long hair framing the face, side-swept styles, or hair pulled forward over the shoulders all cause rejection. Pull hair behind both ears before you photograph.
Both ears visible
5
Glasses in the photo
Many people who've worn prescription glasses for decades don't know about the 2014 ban. Vision impairment alone does not qualify as a medical exemption. Remove glasses, take the photo. Thirty seconds. Done.
Remove glasses
6
Home inkjet printing
Regular copy paper, thin photo paper, matte paper — none meet the APO's high-gloss heavy-weight requirement. The paper quality is a specific technical specification, not just an aesthetic preference. Only professional photo labs use the correct stock.
Professional paper only
7
Guarantor endorsement errors
Writing on both photos (only ONE gets endorsed). Using blue or felt-tip pen (must be black ballpoint). Using a sticky label instead of writing directly. Smudging the ink on the second photo. These are all common and all avoidable if you read the instructions once.
Black pen, one photo
8
Smiling or open mouth — over 3 years old
A smile — even a small one — alters the geometry of facial measurements stored on the passport chip, which affects SmartGate performance. A completely neutral expression is required for anyone over 3. Mouth gently closed. Relax the face entirely.
Neutral, mouth closed
International comparison
Australian requirements
vs other countries.
Five countries that come up most often for Miniml customers who need multiple passport photos. Note: Australia's ears requirement and range-not-fixed-size approach are unusual globally.
| Country | Size | Background | Glasses | Ears | Photos | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺 | Australia | 35–40 × 45–50mm | White or light grey | Not permitted | Both ears visible | 2 |
| 🇳🇿 | New Zealand | 35 × 45mm | Same white or grey | Same not permitted | Not required | 2 |
| 🇬🇧 | United Kingdom | 35 × 45mm | Different light grey or cream | Same not permitted | Not required | 2 |
| 🇮🇳 | India | 35 × 45mm | Same white | Same not permitted | Not required | 2 |
| 🇮🇷 | Iran | 35 × 45mm | Different white only | Same not permitted | Not required | 2 |
New Zealand's requirements are close enough to Australia's that a photo taken for one is often acceptable for the other — mainly check background shade. This almost never works between Australia and the UK (which requires light grey or cream, not white). Don't reuse photos between countries without verifying the specific background requirement.
🇦🇺
DFAT Compliant
White or light grey background, 35–40mm × 45–50mm, 32–36mm face height. All Australian Passport Office specs applied.
🔍
Expert Review
Trained reviewer checks all 12 APO criteria before printing — face height, shadows, ears, expression, background, editing artefacts.
✅
Acceptance Guarantee
Free reprint if the Australian Passport Office rejects your photo for any compliance reason. No questions, no extra cost.
📦
1–2 Day Delivery
Two prints on high-quality glossy photo paper. From $8 — less than half the Australia Post price. Delivered anywhere in Australia.
Questions we hear every day
Real questions,
plain answers.
Customer questions
"Can my husband take my photo on his iPhone?"
Yes — that's actually the best approach. Use the rear camera, not the front-facing selfie camera. Turn off Portrait Mode and any beauty features. Have him stand about 1.5 metres back from you with the phone at eye level. You hold still, he presses the button.
"My hair is very dark — will a white background work?"
Dark hair against white actually gives the best contrast. You're fine. The background contrast issue is more common for light-blonde or grey-haired applicants against a very light grey background — there can be less distinction. White works well for everyone.
"I wear glasses all the time — how can they refuse them?"
We hear this one a lot. The rule exists because glasses frames obscure part of the eye area, which is one of the most important regions for biometric matching. Australia's SmartGate reads your eyes at the border. Remove them for 30 seconds to take the photo. That's genuinely all it takes.
"My passport expires in 4 months — do I need priority processing?"
Only if you're travelling before the new passport arrives. Standard processing is 6 weeks. If you have no travel plans in the next 6 weeks, standard is fine. If you're travelling in 3 weeks — yes, book Priority ($274 extra, ~2 business days). Call the APO on 131 232 if you're not sure.
"Can I wear my regular everyday makeup?"
Yes — normal makeup is fine. The rule is about digital editing, not makeup. What you can't do is apply a beauty filter or skin-smoothing after the photo is taken. What you look like in person is what the photo should reflect. Heavy contouring or anything that significantly changes the shape of your face is worth toning down.
"I need 3 passport photos for different countries — can I order them together?"
Yes, and you should. Different countries have different specs (background colour, size, number required). Miniml applies each country's specific requirements separately. Order Australian, Iranian, and Indian photos in one checkout — each set gets the right specs. Don't use one photo for multiple countries.
Frequently asked questions
Australian passport photo
questions answered.
What size does an Australian passport photo need to be?
+
35–40mm wide × 45–50mm high. Face (chin to crown of skull) must be 32–36mm. Two identical colour photos required. Digital: ~350×450px at 600 dpi.
Can I wear glasses in my Australian passport photo?
+
No. Remove them. Vision impairment is not a valid exemption — this surprises many people who've worn prescription glasses their whole lives. Only a genuine documented medical condition where glasses literally cannot be removed qualifies. Call 131 232 if you think this might apply to you before your appointment.
Do I need a guarantor to renew my Australian passport?
+
No — adult renewals using the PC7 form do not require a guarantor. Write your full name in black pen on the back of one photo. A guarantor is only needed for new passport applications: first ever passport, passport expired more than 3 years ago, issued before age 16, or lost/stolen. If you're unsure which applies, call 131 232.
My passport expires in 3 months and I'm travelling in 6 weeks — what should I do?
+
This is urgent. Standard processing is 6 weeks — you have no margin. You need Priority processing (+$274, approximately 2 business days processing) or Fast Track (+$115, approximately 5 business days). Book Priority to be safe. Get your passport photos sorted today, then lodge at Australia Post as soon as possible. Also check your destination's entry requirements: some countries require 6 months of passport validity from your date of arrival — a passport with 3 months left may mean you're denied boarding even before it expires.
What background colour is correct for an Australian passport photo?
+
Both plain white and light grey are accepted. The background must be completely uniform — no shadows, no patterns, no objects visible, and it must contrast with your face and clothing. Don't wear white against a white background or grey against a grey background.
Can I wear a hijab in my Australian passport photo?
+
Yes, if you wear it daily for religious reasons. It must be plain — no patterns of any kind, even subtle ones. Your full face from chin to forehead must be visible, and both sides of your face must also be visible. Non-religious head coverings (hats, beanies, scarves for warmth or fashion) are not permitted.
How much does an Australian passport cost in 2026?
+
Adult 10-year: $427. Child 5-year: $216. Senior (75+) 5-year: $216 or full adult 10-year at $427. Priority (2 days): +$274. Fast Track (5 days): +$115. Overseas surcharge: +$191 adults, +$94 children. Fees set by DFAT from 1 January 2026 and non-refundable.
Can I take my own passport photo at home?
+
Yes — the APO doesn't require a professional studio. Your photos still need to meet all DFAT requirements. The most common home photo failures are wrong face height, shadows from single-lamp lighting, hair covering ears, and phone beauty filters applied automatically. Miniml's service lets you take the photo at home while we handle the compliance checks and professional printing.
Understanding Australian Passport Photo Requirements in 2026
Australian passport photo requirements are set by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the Australian Passport Office, and they comply with ICAO Document 9303 biometric standards. That last part matters — these aren't arbitrary bureaucratic rules. Your photo is digitised, stored on the microchip embedded in your ePassport, and read by SmartGate's facial recognition system at Australian airports every time you use automated border clearance. The requirements exist because a bad photo equals a bad biometric match, which means slower clearance or worse.
We process thousands of Australian passport photos every month. The thing that surprises most people: the majority of rejected home photos aren't obviously wrong. They look perfectly fine to the naked eye. The problems are technical — a face that measures 30mm instead of 32mm, a shadow that's barely perceptible in a small phone preview, a phone beauty mode that softened the edges of the face by 4% without the applicant realising. These are the things a professional review catches.
The most Australian-specific requirement — one that surprises applicants from other countries — is that both ears must be clearly visible. The UK doesn't require this. The USA doesn't require this. India doesn't require this. Australia does, because ear position and geometry are biometric data points used in facial matching calculations. Hair that frames the face beautifully in a portrait photo fails an Australian passport photo review. This is one of the top three rejection causes for home submissions.
The glasses ban is the other major surprise. Around 2014, the Australian Passport Office stopped accepting glasses in passport photos. Many Australians who've worn prescription glasses for decades simply don't know this rule exists — and arrive at Australia Post with their glasses on in the photo. Vision impairment is explicitly not a valid exemption. The only exception is a genuine documented medical condition where glasses literally cannot be removed from the face, not simply used for vision correction. If that sounds like your situation, call the APO on 131 232 before your appointment.
On the guarantor question: this is where the most confusion lives. Many Australians remember needing a guarantor from their last passport application years ago, and assume the same requirement applies to renewals. It doesn't. Adult renewals using the PC7 form require no guarantor — just your name in black pen on the back of one photo. A guarantor is only required for new passport applications: first ever passport, or applications where the simplified renewal pathway doesn't apply. If you're not sure which category you're in, one phone call to 131 232 resolves it in under two minutes.
Miniml applies all DFAT and APO photo specifications for Australian applications. We calibrate face height to the required 32–36mm, verify or apply the correct white or light grey background, check for shadows and editing artefacts, verify ear visibility, confirm expression neutrality, and print on high-quality glossy photo paper — before delivering two professional photos to your Australian address in 1–2 business days. From $8, significantly less than Australia Post's $21.95. The expert review step is what bridges the gap between a good-looking home photo and one that will reliably pass the APO's compliance check.
🇦🇺 Ready to get your Australian passport photo?
DFAT compliant.
DFAT compliant.
Expert reviewed. Delivered.
Upload your photo. We apply all Australian Passport Office specifications, expert-review it, and deliver two professional prints to your door in 1–2 days. Less than half the Australia Post price — with a guarantee.
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