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Australia Passport & Visa Photo Requirements (USA)

Australia uses a 35–40 × 45–50 mm size range — not one exact size. Glasses are banned entirely. Face height is a strict 32–36 mm. And unlike most countries, Americans need an ETA even for tourism.

35×45 mm format No-glasses compliant ImmiAccount digital specs

Australia Photo Specs

Printed size35–40 × 45–50 mm
Face height32–36 mm (chin to crown)
BackgroundWhite or light grey
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closed
GlassesNot allowed
PaperProfessional quality, glossy
RecencyWithin 6 months
HairOff face, edges of face visible
Source: Australian Passport Office / Dept. of Home Affairs

No Glasses — Period

Australia banned glasses in passport photos. Even prescription glasses must be removed. Only a medical certificate exempts you.

Size Range, Not Fixed

35–40mm wide × 45–50mm tall. Most other countries require exact dimensions — Australia gives flexibility but is strict on face size.

ETA Required

Americans need an Electronic Travel Authority even for short tourism visits. Most visa-free countries don't require this.

Australia vs US: Side-by-Side Comparison

Requirement Australia Passport Australia Digital (ImmiAccount) US Passport
Size35–40 × 45–50 mm240×320 to 4000×5000 px51 × 51 mm (2×2 in)
Face height32–36 mm32–36 mm equivalent25–35 mm (1–1⅜ in)
BackgroundWhite or light greyWhite or light greyWhite or off-white
ExpressionNeutral, no smileNeutral, no smileNeutral or natural smile
GlassesNot allowedNot allowedNot allowed
HairOff face, edges visibleOff face, edges visibleNo covering face
PaperProfessional glossyN/A (digital)Photo-quality
RecencyWithin 6 monthsWithin 6 monthsWithin 6 months
File specsN/A (printed)JPEG, <5MBJPG/HEIF, 54KB–10MB

Australian Visa & ETA for Americans

Unlike most popular destinations, Australia requires US citizens to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) before arrival — even for short tourism visits.

ETA (Subclass 601) — Tourism/Business

  • Up to 90 days per visit, multiple entries
  • Valid for 12 months from issue
  • Apply via Australian ETA app (mobile) or online
  • Fee: AUD $20 (≈$13)
  • Usually approved within minutes to 24 hours
  • Covers tourism, business, and visiting family
ETA application may require a face photo upload — check the app for current requirements.

Work/Study/Partner Visas

  • Work and Holiday (462) — popular with young Americans (18–30)
  • Student (500) — university or vocational study
  • Partner/Family — spouse/de facto relationships
  • Skilled Worker — employer-sponsored visas
  • Apply through ImmiAccount — digital photo upload required
Get Australia Visa Photo

ImmiAccount: Digital Photo Upload Specs

ImmiAccount is Australia's online visa application portal. All work, study, and partner visa applications require a digital photo upload meeting specific technical requirements.

<5MB
Max file size
JPEG
Format
240×320
Min pixels
4000×5000
Max pixels
  • White or light grey background
  • No glasses, neutral expression, hair off face
  • Face centered in frame, head and shoulders visible
  • Natural skin tone — no colour filters or corrections

Get Your Australia Photo

We generate the correct 35×45mm format for printed passport applications and a digital version for ImmiAccount or ETA uploads — both from a single phone photo.

Get Started — $6.99

Works for passport, visa, ETA, and citizenship.

Age-Specific Photo Rules

Australia is known for strict biometric photo standards — including for children and babies.

Baby & Infant

  • Same size requirements as adults
  • Eyes should be open (flexibility for under 6 months)
  • Can be photographed lying on white sheet
  • No hands, toys, pacifiers, or car seats visible
  • Baby must be the only person in the frame
  • Australia is notably strict on baby photos

Child (Under 16)

  • Standard photo requirements apply
  • Slight expression tolerance for very young children
  • Must be alone in the photograph
  • Australian child passports valid for 5 years
  • Both parents must consent to child passport

Adult (16+)

  • Full requirements apply from age 16
  • Neutral expression, mouth closed
  • No glasses — remove before photo
  • Hair off face, ears and face edges visible
  • Adult passport valid for 10 years
  • Disability accommodations available (wheelchair, medical devices)

Australian Passport Renewal from the US

Australian citizens in the US can renew their passports through the Australian Embassy or consulates. Australia has been expanding online renewal options — check if you're eligible before visiting in person.

AUD $398
10-year adult (≈$260)
AUD $199
5-year child (≈$130)
2–3 weeks
Processing time

Australian Offices in the US

Washington DC (Embassy) Los Angeles San Francisco New York Chicago Honolulu

Check usa.embassy.gov.au for current services and appointments.

Citizenship by Descent

  • Children born to Australian citizens overseas may be eligible for citizenship
  • Requires citizenship certificate application
  • Same passport photo specs apply
  • Apply through ImmiAccount

Common Rejection Reasons

Australia uses automated facial recognition for border processing — biometric compliance is non-negotiable.

Wearing Glasses

Any glasses at all — prescription, reading, or sunglasses. Must be removed unless you have a medical certificate.

Hair Over Face

Hair covering forehead, eyes, or edges of face. Both edges of face must be clearly visible from chin to crown.

Shadows or Glare

Shadows on face or background, uneven lighting, or reflections. Must show natural skin tone with uniform illumination.

Red Eye / Blur

Red eye, blurry focus, or pixelated image. Must be clear, focused, and high resolution with no marks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Australia allows a range: 35–40mm wide × 45–50mm tall. The most commonly used format is 35×45mm (standard ICAO). Face height must be 32–36mm from chin to crown — this is the critical measurement. The flexibility in overall size accommodates photos from different countries, but face size is strictly enforced.

Australia banned glasses in passport photos to improve facial recognition accuracy at automated border gates (SmartGates). Glasses frames and lenses can create glare, shadows, and obstruction that interfere with biometric matching. The only exception requires a medical certificate from a doctor stating you cannot remove them.

Yes. US citizens need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority, subclass 601) for tourism or business visits of up to 90 days. Apply via the Australian ETA app or online — approval is usually within minutes. The ETA costs AUD $20 (≈$13) and is valid for 12 months. For work, study, or longer stays, apply through ImmiAccount.

Yes. You can print 35×45mm photos on a 4×6 sheet and cut them. Use glossy photo paper, ensure precise cuts, and verify face height is 32–36mm. Our template positions the photos correctly on the 4×6 sheet.

JPEG format, between 240×320 and 4000×5000 pixels, under 5MB. White or light grey background, neutral expression, no glasses, hair off face. The system may auto-check basic compliance before accepting the upload.

Australia is notably strict. The baby must be the only person in the photo — no hands supporting the head, no toys, no pacifiers, no car seats visible. Eyes should be open, though some flexibility exists for very young infants. The baby can lie on a plain white sheet. We recommend using our service, which handles baby photos with AI-assisted cropping.

Australia has been expanding online renewal eligibility. Check the Australian Passport Office website for current eligibility criteria. If online renewal isn't available for your situation, you'll need to visit the Australian Embassy in Washington DC or a consulate in your region.

A visa for Americans aged 18–30 to travel and work in Australia for up to 12 months. It requires an ImmiAccount application with digital photo upload. The photo must meet standard Australian passport photo requirements (no glasses, neutral expression, white/grey background).

Get Your Australia Photo in 3 Minutes

Correct 35×45mm format, no-glasses compliance, precise 32–36mm face height, and digital specs for ImmiAccount uploads. Works for Australian passport, visa, ETA, and citizenship applications.

Get Started — $6.99

Digital download + print template included.