35×45mm Photo Requirements (Australia)

About 35×45mm Photos

The 35×45mm photo format is the international standard for passport-size photographs, widely used across Australia and internationally. This rectangular format is the most common requirement for official documents, identification cards, and various applications throughout Australia.

What are they used for?

• Australian passports and travel documents
• Driver’s licenses across all states and territories
• Proof of age cards and photo ID cards
• Australian visa applications
• International passport and visa applications
• University and school applications
• Professional licensing documents
• Government service applications
• Banking and financial service documents
• Employment and background check documents

Common Applications in Australia

Government Documents:

• All Australian federal and state government applications
• Immigration and visa services
• Civil status documents (marriage, birth certificates)
• Court and legal documentation
• Electoral enrollment and voting registration

Educational Applications:

• University and TAFE admissions
• Student visa applications
• Academic transcript authentication
• Professional certification programs
• International student services

Employment Documents:

• Work permit applications
• Professional licensing and registration
• Corporate ID cards and security passes
• Background check documentation
• Industry-specific certifications

International Applications:

• Foreign embassy visa applications
• International passport renewals
• Consular services documentation
• Travel document authentication
• Working holiday visa applications

Photo Specifications

Key Requirements

• Size: 35 × 45 mm (passport size rectangle)
• Face Height: 32–36 mm (measured from chin to crown)
• Background: Plain white or light grey, completely uniform
• Quality: High resolution (minimum 300 DPI), sharp focus, color only
• Recency: Taken within the last 6 months

Technical Specifications

• Head Position: Centered, facing directly forward
• Eye Level: Eyes positioned 50-60% from bottom of photo
• Shoulders: Both shoulders visible and level
• Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible
• Lighting: Even, natural lighting without harsh shadows

Australian Standards

• Background: Pure white preferred, light grey acceptable
• Head Coverage: Only for religious or medical reasons
• Glasses: Generally allowed if worn daily, no reflections or tinted lenses
• Expression: Neutral, serious expression required
• Eyes: Both eyes must be open and clearly visible
• Clothing: Conservative, avoid white or very light colors

Common Rejection Reasons

Size and Dimension Issues

• Incorrect dimensions (not exactly 35×45mm)
• Face height outside 32-36mm range
• Improper aspect ratio or cropping
• Head too large or too small in frame
• Insufficient space around head

Background Problems

• Colored, patterned, or textured backgrounds
• Shadows or uneven lighting on background
• Objects, furniture, or people visible
• Non-uniform background color
• Busy or distracting backgrounds

Photo Quality Issues

• Low resolution or pixelated images
• Blurry, out-of-focus, or soft images
• Over or under-exposed photographs
• Poor color reproduction or saturation
• Grainy, noisy, or compressed images

Composition Errors

• Head tilted, turned, or not centered
• Eyes looking away from camera
• Mouth open or inappropriate expression
• Hair covering eyes, eyebrows, or face
• Uneven shoulders or poor posture

Technical Violations

• Photos older than 6 months
• Black and white or sepia-toned images
• Visible digital alterations or filters
• Multiple exposures or ghost images
• Wrong file format for digital applications

Tips for Perfect 35×45mm Photos

Professional Photography

• Use photographer experienced with Australian passport requirements
• Ensure proper lighting setup and background
• Verify exact measurements before printing
• Take multiple shots for best selection

DIY Photography Setup

1. Background: Pure white wall or professional backdrop
2. Lighting: Natural daylight or professional studio lights
3. Camera: High-resolution camera at eye level
4. Distance: Maintain proper distance for correct face size
5. Position: Sit straight, shoulders level, look directly at camera

Measurement Guidelines

• Total photo: Exactly 35×45mm
• Face height: 32-36mm (chin to crown)
• Eye position: 50-60% from bottom
• Head width: Approximately 60-70% of photo width
• Margins: Equal space on left and right sides

Quality Control Checklist

• ✓ Exact 35×45mm dimensions
• ✓ Face height within 32-36mm range
• ✓ Pure white, uniform background
• ✓ Sharp focus throughout image
• ✓ Proper exposure and color balance
• ✓ Neutral expression, eyes open
• ✓ No shadows on face or background
• ✓ Recent photo (within 6 months)

Printing and Submission

Print Specifications

• High-quality photo paper (glossy or matte)
• Professional photo printing recommended
• Exact dimensions crucial for acceptance
• No borders, margins, or crop marks

Digital Submission Requirements

• JPEG format most commonly accepted
• Minimum resolution: 413×531 pixels
• File size: Usually 50KB to 2MB
• Color profile: sRGB recommended
• No compression artifacts

Where to Print in Australia

• Professional photography studios
• Pharmacy photo services (Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, Terry White)
• Post office photo services (Australia Post)
• Electronics stores with photo departments (Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi)
• Online photo printing services with Australian delivery

Special Applications

For Australian Government Documents:

• Must meet Department of Home Affairs or relevant authority standards
• White background mandatory for most applications
• Professional quality required
• Multiple copies usually needed

For International Applications:

• Check specific embassy or consulate requirements
• Some countries may have additional specifications
• Timing important for visa application deadlines
• Keep extra copies for multiple applications

For Employment Documents:

• Employer may have specific requirements
• Professional appearance essential
• Conservative clothing recommended
• May need multiple copies for various permits

For Educational Applications:

• University-specific requirements may apply
• Academic institutions may have stricter standards
• International students may need embassy attestation
• Keep digital copies for online applications

Cost Considerations in Australia

Professional Photography:

• Studio passport photos: $15-$40 AUD
• Shopping center photo booths: $10-$20 AUD
• Specialist passport photo services: $12-$25 AUD

DIY and Printing Options:

• Pharmacy printing: $0.50-$2 AUD per print
• Post office services: $15-$25 AUD for photo service
• Online printing services: $5-$15 AUD including delivery
• Home printing: Variable cost depending on equipment

Bulk Printing:

• Multiple copies often cheaper per unit
• Consider future applications when ordering
• Digital files allow reprinting as needed
• Some services offer package deals

State and Territory Variations

New South Wales:

• Service NSW accepts standard 35×45mm photos
• Online services available for some applications
• Professional photography recommended for important documents

Victoria:

• VicRoads and other agencies use standard specifications
• Photo requirements consistent across state services
• Many convenient printing locations available

Queensland:

• Department of Transport and Main Roads follows national standards
• Tropical climate considerations for photo storage
• Professional services widely available

Western Australia:

• Department of Transport maintains strict photo standards
• Remote area considerations for photo services
• Mobile photo services available in some regions

South Australia:

• Service SA uses standard Australian photo requirements
• Professional photography services in major centers
• Online applications increasingly common

Tasmania:

• Service Tasmania follows national photo standards
• Limited professional services in remote areas
• Mainland printing services available by mail

Australian Capital Territory:

• Access Canberra uses federal government standards
• High concentration of professional photo services
• Government employee photo requirements may vary

Northern Territory:

• Department of Infrastructure follows national standards
• Remote area challenges for photo services
• Mobile and online services increasingly important

Need perfect 35×45mm photos for your Australian documents? Our AI-powered tool ensures your photos meet all Australian government and international requirements, with convenient printing options nationwide.