What Are The Guidelines For Australian Passport Photos?

We all want to look good in our passport photo. Unfortunately, the Australian government does not agree. They want a photo that makes you clearly identifiable and don’t really put much stock in how good or bad you look.

However, this doesn’t mean you have to look like a convict. Professional photography will ensure that you look great while meeting the guidelines for passport photo’s in Australia.

However, what are the Australian passport photo guidelines and how important is it really to stick to them?

• The photo’s should be new (less than 6 months old).
• Colour photo’s of a high quality and gloss print are required.
• A light coloured background (preferably white or light grey).
• The face needs to be well lit to show natural skin colour with no shadows/reflections.
• The head should be facing fully forward, towards the camera and not tilted in any direction.
• Hair should be off the face to ensure that all features are clearly visible.
• Photo’s should be taken from the shoulder up to include the entire neck.
• The eyes must be open and the mouth must be closed.
• A neutral expression is preferable. This means no smiling for the camera, grimacing or other facial expressions.
• The photo needs to be between 35 mm and 40 mm wide and between 40 mm and 45 mm high. The face, from the chin to the top of the head should be between 32 mm and 36 mm.
• A head covering and/or facial jewellery that is worn for religious reasons may be included in the photo but should preferably not obstruct facial features.
• Any other facial jewellery should not cause a glare or reflection or obstruct a clear view of the mouth, nose and eyes. Although jewellery is allowed in passport photo’s, it is generally not recommended.
• Wearing glasses or spectacles in a passport photo is no longer permitted. However, if glasses need to be worn for medical reasons (such as severe light sensitivity or after an eye operation), the frames may not obscure the eyes and the lenses must not have a reflection or be darkened to hide the eyes. It will be necessary to provide a medical certificate from a licensed medical practitioner in order to allow glasses in a passport photo.

While these requirements may seem like a lot, the intention of the passport photo is to make your face clearly recognisable in order for border control officials and systems to match your face to the photo easily.

It is recommended by the Department of Foreign Affairs to have your photo taken by a professional passport photographer and to ensure that they are aware of and will meet all the guidelines for Australian passport photo’s.

Services From A Professional Passport Photographer

When you get a photo taken by a professional photographer, they will ensure that the lighting, background and other external elements meet the requirements.

They will also do their best to make sure that you look good even though you can’t smile or pose for the photo.

The requirements for the dimensions will be met and the photo will be of a high quality that can be scanned by the Border Control System.

Online Services From A Passport Photographer

It is possible to take your own passport photo. This allows you to take your time and choose from a range of shots taken over a few days to find one where you look your best.

Taking professional photo’s of babies and young children for passports can be particularly challenging and it can be much easier at home.

Simply send the digital photo’s to an online passport photographer to get professional, high-quality prints sent to you.

Remember to make sure that photo’s that are taken at home meet with the guidelines for Australian passport photos.

If there is any uncertainty regarding the guidelines, give the passport office or a passport photographer a call to clarify the requirements.

If you’re looking for the best passport photo store in Sydney, then look no further than Photoland.

We offer a complete range of products and services from print photos and scanning, right through to picture framing and photo albums.

Please call us today on (02) 9235 1933 or contact us via our website.