Australia Visa Photo Specs
Australia is one of the few countries that publishes a range rather than a single size — but the head ratio is stricter than almost anywhere else.
Generate a photo that matches the spec above — processed locally, never uploaded, no sign-up, with a 6-inch print sheet if you need paper copies.
Make a photo to this specSpecification · Australia Visa Photo Specs
| Size | 35-40 mm wide by 45-50 mm tall (a permitted range) |
|---|---|
| Recommended | 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 px at 300 dpi) — inside the range and the most widely accepted |
| Head height | 32-36 mm from chin to crown |
| Background | White or a plain light colour, no shadows or texture |
| Quantity | Usually two identical photos; some categories require the guarantor to sign the back |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months and reflecting your current appearance |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, facing the camera directly |
| Editing | No retouching or alteration of appearance; cropping and background replacement are fine |
| Printed photo | Photo paper, no border or creases |
How to shoot a photo that matches
- Use 35 x 45 mm as your baseline —— It sits inside the official 35-40 by 45-50 mm range and is the most widely accepted format, so there is no need to chase the limits.
- Shoot frontally against a white wall —— A white or light background with no wall shadow and no reflection.
- Enlarge the head to 32-36 mm in our tool —— At 413 x 531 px that is roughly 71%-80% of the frame. This is the most commonly failed requirement.
- Crop and replace the background, but do not beautify —— Australia does not accept alterations to appearance. Swapping the background is safe; skin smoothing and filters are not.
- Print two copies and check the signature requirement —— Some visa categories need the guarantor to sign one photo on the back — read the checklist first.
Australia's distinguishing feature is a published range: 35-40 mm wide by 45-50 mm tall. It looks generous but changes little in practice — 35 x 45 mm falls inside the range and is the sensible choice. There is no reason to aim for the boundaries.
What is genuinely tight is the head ratio: chin to crown must measure 32-36 mm. On a 45 mm tall photo that means the head fills more than 70% of the frame, considerably stricter than the US range. A default half-body crop will typically leave the head around 25 mm and has to be re-cropped and enlarged.
Australia is also explicit about editing: cropping and background replacement that do not change your appearance are fine; skin smoothing, face reshaping and filters are not.
FAQ
What size is an Australian visa photo?
Officially a range: 35-40 mm wide and 45-50 mm tall. In practice 35 x 45 mm works, falls inside the range and is the most widely accepted.
How much of the frame should the head fill?
Chin to crown must be 32-36 mm, which is over 70% of a 45 mm tall photo — noticeably stricter than the US 50%-69% range.
White or light grey background?
White or a plain light colour are both accepted. Australia does not reject pure white the way Schengen consulates often do.
Can I reuse my US visa photo?
Not advisable. The size differs (51 x 51 mm against 35 x 45 mm) and so does the head ratio requirement. Even after re-cropping, the head proportion needs rechecking.
Can I retouch the photo?
Cropping and background replacement only. Skin smoothing, face reshaping, filters and any change to facial features are not accepted, and Australia compares the photo against you and its records.