Passport photo questions
answered honestly.

An Australian passport photo must be 35–40mm wide and 45–50mm high. Your head (chin to crown) must measure 32–36mm — filling roughly 70–80% of the photo height. For digital submissions, this is approximately 350×450 pixels at 600 dpi minimum.

Note this is a range, unlike US passport photos which are a fixed 51×51mm square.

The background must be plain white or very light grey — completely uniform with no patterns, textures, shadows or objects. It must contrast clearly with your face and clothing. There must be no shadows falling on the background.

A white wall or white sheet works well at home. Stand at least 1 metre away from the wall behind you to prevent shadows.

No. You must maintain a completely neutral expression with your mouth closed. No smiling, frowning, raised eyebrows or any expression change.

This isn't just preference — biometric facial recognition systems require a consistent neutral baseline expression to accurately match your face when you travel.

No. Glasses are not permitted in Australian passport photos. The only exception is if you physically cannot remove them due to a medical condition — in which case you must provide a signed certificate from a registered medical practitioner confirming this.

Vision impairment alone does not qualify. Tinted, coloured or transition lenses are never permitted under any circumstances.

Your photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and must represent your current appearance. Even within 6 months, if you've had a significant change in appearance — major weight change, facial surgery, or permanent facial hair change — you should take a new photo.

Generally no. Hats, caps and decorative headbands are not permitted. However, head coverings worn for genuine religious or medical reasons are accepted if:

• The covering is plain with no patterns or decorations
• Your full face from forehead to chin is clearly visible
• Both cheeks are fully visible

No. Australian law prohibits any manipulation of passport photos. This includes:

• Background removal or replacement
• Blemish or wrinkle removal
• Skin smoothing or beauty filters
• Red-eye correction
• Brightness, contrast or colour adjustments
• AI editing tools of any kind

The photo must accurately represent your true, natural appearance. Even removing a mole or scar is not permitted.

Passport photos must be printed on high-quality glossy photographic paper using dye sublimation printing only. Inkjet printers — including home printers — are explicitly not accepted by the Australian Passport Office, even if the print looks perfect to the naked eye.

Dye sublimation produces waterproof, fade-resistant, professional-grade photos. Inkjet photos fade, can smear, and fail biometric scanning systems.

It depends on your application type:

• Online adult renewal: No endorsement required
• Paper applications (form PC7): A guarantor must sign the back of one photo: "This is a true photo of [full name]"
• Child applications: Endorsement required
• First-time adult applications: Endorsement required on one photo

When endorsing, the guarantor must press gently — pressing too hard can damage the photo surface and cause rejection.

Makeup: Light, everyday makeup is acceptable if it doesn't significantly alter your appearance, create unusual skin tones, or cause reflections. Heavy contouring, very dark lipstick or anything dramatically changing your natural look may cause rejection.

Jewellery: Small, plain pieces are acceptable if they don't create glare, reflect light, or obscure any facial feature. Large earrings, necklaces that create reflections, or anything that distracts from facial recognition are not permitted.

Yes — you can take the photo yourself at home. You still need professional dye sublimation printing after, but Miniml handles that. Here's the quick setup:

• Plain white or light grey wall or sheet for background
• Stand 1 metre from the wall to avoid shadows
• Face a large window with soft, diffused natural light
• Camera at exactly eye level — not above or below
• Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and forward

Shadows are the #1 rejection cause in Australia. Here's how to eliminate them:

• Stand 1 metre from the wall behind you — this is the single most effective fix
• Face a large window on a cloudy or overcast day — soft diffused light casts no harsh shadows
• If indoors at night, use two light sources on either side of your face at equal distance
• Avoid single overhead lights — they cast shadows under your nose and chin
• Avoid direct sunlight through a window — it creates harsh, bright patches

Yes. Your entire face must be clearly visible — both cheeks, forehead, eyes, nose and chin. Any hair covering these features must be pinned back. Specifically:

• No fringe or bangs across the forehead
• No hair in front of ears or across cheeks
• Both edges of your face (left and right cheek outline) must be clearly visible against the background

Facial hair (beard, moustache) is acceptable as long as it represents your everyday appearance.

Wear your normal, everyday clothing. There are no strict dress code requirements. However:

• Avoid white or very light coloured tops — they blend with the white background
• Dark colours (navy, charcoal, dark green) provide the best contrast
• Avoid tops with bold logos, patterns or bright graphics
• No uniforms, costumes or theatrical clothing
• No visible swimwear

These features all constitute digital manipulation and will cause rejection:

• Beauty Mode / Skin Smoothing — available on Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, etc.
• Portrait Mode / Background Blur — creates depth-of-field that alters the image
• Smart HDR / Deep Fusion — iOS feature that composites multiple exposures
• Live Photo — doesn't affect the photo itself but disable for clarity
• Cinematic Mode — video feature, use Photo mode only

Use standard Photo mode with all enhancements disabled.

Yes. Both eyes must be:

• Fully open
• Looking directly at the camera lens (not the screen)
• Not squinting, blinking or looking to the side

Important: Look at the camera lens, not the preview screen. Looking at the screen means your eyes are pointing slightly to the side of where the camera is actually aimed.

Yes. Your head must be:

• Facing squarely forward — not turned left or right
• Perfectly upright — not tilted to either side
• Not tilted forward (chin down) or backward (chin up)
• Centred in the frame — not shifted to either side

Even a slight tilt is a common rejection reason. Have someone else check before uploading.

In order of frequency:

• 1. Shadows on the face or background
• 2. Glasses worn without a medical certificate
• 3. Inkjet printing — not accepted, must be dye sublimation
• 4. Wrong head size — too small, too large, or off-centre
• 5. Background issues — colour, pattern, texture or objects visible
• 6. Digital editing — any manipulation including beauty filters
• 7. Photo too old — older than 6 months
• 8. Hair covering face — fringe, hair across cheeks
• 9. Wrong expression — smiling, mouth open
• 10. Low resolution — blurry, pixelated or poor print quality

You'll receive an official rejection notice explaining the specific reason. You typically have 90 days to resubmit corrected photos before needing to restart and re-pay the application fee.

If you ordered through Miniml and our photo was rejected, we reprint and redeliver at zero cost — that's our 100% acceptance guarantee. Just email us a copy of the rejection notice. We take care of everything from there.

No. Shadows on the face or background are an automatic rejection. You need to retake the photo. Fix with:

• Move further from the wall — at least 1 metre behind you
• Use two light sources, one on each side of your face
• Face a large window on an overcast day
• Avoid direct sunlight or single overhead lights

Inkjet prints look fine to the naked eye but fail in three ways that matter for passports:

• Fade: Inkjet colours fade over time, changing the photo's appearance from when it was submitted
• Resolution: Inkjet creates visible dot patterns at close inspection
• Biometric scanning: The surface texture and ink absorption of inkjet paper interferes with the optical scanners used at border control

The Australian Passport Office explicitly states dye sublimation printing only. This is non-negotiable.

Yes. The Australian Passport Office uses automated image analysis that can detect:

• Inconsistent skin texture (smoothing algorithms)
• Background composition inconsistencies (background replacement)
• Unnatural lighting uniformity (shadow removal)
• Metadata showing the photo was processed by editing software

Beyond technical detection, human reviewers are specifically trained to identify common manipulation patterns. The consequences of submitting a manipulated photo go beyond simple rejection.

Photo booths have a high rejection rate for several reasons:

• Inkjet printing: Most modern photo booths use inkjet — not dye sublimation
• Lighting: Booths often use harsh, direct flash that creates shadows and overexposure
• No expert review: No one checks whether your specific photo actually meets requirements
• Background issues: Booth backgrounds can have subtle colour casts

If you do use a booth, always check the print quality carefully before leaving.

Infants under 12 months have special allowances:

• ✅ Open mouth is acceptable — babies can't hold neutral expression
• ✅ Eyes do not need to be fully open
• ✅ Parent's hand may appear in the frame — but must not cover baby's face
• ✅ Lay baby on a white or off-white blanket as the background
• ⚠️ Baby must still face directly forward — not turned to the side
• ⚠️ Same size and head ratio requirements apply — 32–36mm head height
• ❌ No other person's face visible
• ❌ No toys, dummies, bottles or objects visible

The best method for babies:

• Lay baby in a bouncy seat or on a flat surface covered with a white sheet
• Shoot from directly above if lying flat — this gives the most natural forward-facing view
• Use soft natural light from a window — avoid direct flash which creates harsh shadows
• Have someone else attract baby's attention right next to the camera lens to get them looking forward
• Take 20+ photos — babies move constantly and you need volume
• Review on a large screen before submitting — check head position and background carefully

Children aged 1–17 follow the same requirements as adults, with minor exceptions:

• Under 16: a slight natural expression may be accepted if the child genuinely cannot hold a neutral expression
• Under 3: same rules as infants regarding open mouth
• From age 3+: eyes must be fully open and looking at the camera
• No school uniforms, sporting gear or branded clothing

The size, background, and lighting requirements are identical to adults.

Yes — a parent's hand or arm may appear in the photo to support the baby. However:

• The parent's hand must not cover any part of the baby's face
• The parent's face must not be visible
• The hand should ideally be wearing plain white or light-coloured clothing so it doesn't distract from the background

Australian children's passports are valid for 5 years (compared to 10 years for adults). A new photo is required for every renewal. As children's appearances change significantly, each new application needs a fresh photo taken within the last 6 months that represents their current appearance.

Chinese passport photos have specific requirements that differ from Australian specs:

• Size: 33×48mm — different from standard Australian size
• Head height: 28–33mm from chin to crown
• Background: White only — not light grey
• Expression: Neutral — same as Australian requirements
• Recency: Taken within 6 months

The Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane Chinese consulates are strict about these specs. Using standard 35×45mm Australian prints will result in rejection. Full Chinese passport photo guide →

Japanese passport photos require:

• Size: 35×45mm
• Background: Plain light background (white or very light grey)
• Glasses: Not permitted since rule change in 2022
• Expression: Neutral, mouth closed
• Head ratio: Strict — face must fill 70–80% of photo

Full Japanese passport photo guide →

Indian passport photos require:

• Size: 35×45mm with white background
• Face: Must occupy 70–80% of the frame
• Expression: Neutral, mouth closed
• OCI card applications have the same photo requirements
• Both eyes: Must be fully open and clearly visible

Full Indian passport photo guide →

No — every country is different. Variations include:

• Size: Australian 35–40×45–50mm vs US 51×51mm (square) vs Vietnamese 40×60mm
• Background: Most require white, but some accept light grey or even light blue
• Head ratio: Each country specifies different minimum and maximum face coverage percentages
• Special rules: Japan bans glasses; some countries allow a slight smile

Miniml has every country's official specifications pre-loaded. Browse all 60+ countries →

No. US passport and visa photos are a fixed 51×51mm square (2×2 inches), which is completely different from the Australian 35–40×45–50mm range. The head ratio requirements also differ. If you need a US visa photo, you need to order specifically for the US. Miniml supports US visa and passport photos as separate products.

• Digital file: Emailed same day — usually within hours of your order being reviewed
• Printed photos: Dispatched same day for orders placed before 2pm AEST. Delivered in 1–2 business days via tracked Australia Post to most Australian addresses
• Regional/remote areas: Allow 2–4 business days for delivery

You'll receive a tracking number by email when your order is dispatched.

Here's the exact process:

• Step 1: You receive an order confirmation email immediately
• Step 2: A trained expert reviews your photo against your country's official requirements — usually within 1–3 hours
• Step 3: If approved, photos go straight to professional print
• Step 4: If adjustment needed, we email you with specific guidance and a free retake option
• Step 5: Dispatch confirmation with tracking number is emailed once printed and packed

When your order is dispatched, you'll receive an email with an Australia Post tracking number. You can track your parcel at australiapost.com.au or via the Australia Post app. You can also visit our order tracking page and enter your order number.

No app needed. Miniml works entirely through your web browser on any device — phone, tablet or desktop. Just visit the website, choose your country, upload your photo and checkout. No downloads, no accounts required to browse. You'll need to provide an email address to receive your digital file and order updates.

Your photos are packaged in a rigid protective mailer that prevents bending. Photos are placed in a protective sleeve inside a cardboard-backed envelope marked "Do not bend." In the rare event that photos arrive damaged, contact us with a photo of the damage and we'll reprint and redeliver immediately at no charge.

• Australia Post: $21.95 — walk-in only, no guarantee, no delivery
• Officeworks: $16.95 — walk-in only, no guarantee, no digital file
• Photo booths: $12–18 — often inkjet, no review, high rejection rate
• Miniml Digital: $8 — same-day digital, expert review, guarantee
• Miniml Printed: $10 — 4 prints + free delivery + expert review + guarantee
• Miniml Digital + Print: $15 — everything, best value

Miniml is cheaper than every option and the only one with a 100% acceptance guarantee. View full pricing →

It depends on your application:

• Online passport renewal (adults): Digital file only — no prints needed
• Paper application or in-person lodgement: Printed photos required
• Consulate visits: Printed photos usually required
• Online visa applications: Digital file only

If you're unsure, the Digital + Print plan ($15) covers all scenarios and saves you $3 vs buying separately. Most customers choose this for peace of mind.

Simple: if your photo is rejected by the passport office or consulate for any compliance reason, we reprint and redeliver your photos completely free of charge.

To claim: email us a copy of the official rejection notice at [support email]. We'll process your free reprint within 1 business day and dispatch with standard free tracked delivery. No questions asked, no forms to fill in.

Miniml accepts all major payment methods through Shopify's secure checkout:

• Visa, Mastercard, American Express
• PayPal
• Apple Pay and Google Pay
• Afterpay (buy now, pay later)

All transactions are encrypted and processed securely. Miniml never stores your card details.

Three things set Miniml apart:

• Real human review: Every photo is checked by a trained expert — not just automated AI software. We catch issues other services miss entirely.
• 100% acceptance guarantee: No other service in Australia offers this. If your photo is rejected, we reprint and redeliver free.
• 60+ countries: We specialise in expats and migrants needing home-country passport photos — not just Australian specs. Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Filipino, Korean and 55+ more countries supported.

Yes. Miniml takes privacy seriously:

• Your photo is encrypted during upload and storage
• Access is restricted to the review team member processing your order
• Your photo is permanently deleted from our servers after 30 days
• We never sell, share or use your photo for any purpose other than producing your order
• We are based in Australia and operate under Australian privacy law

Miniml is an Australian-based passport photo service operating entirely within Australia. We dispatch all orders from within Australia via Australia Post, so there are no international shipping delays or customs concerns. We specialise in serving expats and migrants living in Australia who need passport photos for their home countries.

You can reach us at:

• Email: Contact form on our website
• Response time: We reply to all enquiries within 1 business day, usually much faster
• For urgent orders: Note "URGENT" in your message subject and we'll prioritise your request

For rejection claims, simply email us a photo of the official rejection notice and your order number.

Miniml has delivered over 4,800 passport photos to customers across Australia with a 99% acceptance rate and a 4.9/5 average customer rating. Our customers include expats from China, Japan, India, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Korea, Vietnam and many other countries living across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and regional Australia. Read customer reviews →