Requirements

• Photo dimensions: exactly 35 mm wide × 45 mm high printed on high-quality photographic paper
• Head size and position: head height (chin to crown) 32–36 mm, eyes 15–20 mm from bottom edge, centered, full face and shoulders visible
• Background: plain white or light grey, evenly lit, no patterns, textures or shadows
• Facial expression and pose: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and looking straight at camera, no tilt or turn
• Lighting and exposure: even, natural lighting with no shadows, hotspots or red-eye; true-to-life skin tones
• Glasses and eyewear: if worn, clear prescription glasses only, no tinted lenses or heavy frames, no glare obscuring eyes
• Head coverings: only for genuine religious or medical reasons, must not obscure hairline or face; edges visible against background
• Recentness: photo must be taken within the last six months to reflect current appearance
• Quality and finish: sharp focus, no creases, tears, ink marks or pixelation, printed without borders
• Retouching and enhancements: minimal adjustments allowed (brightness/contrast), no filters, digital alterations or blemish removal

Step-by-Step Process

• First step: Create a 35 × 45 mm digital template with the head height set to 32–36 mm from crown to chin so your photo matches Australia’s official scale.
• Second step: Position your subject against a plain, evenly lit white background free of shadows or patterns so the face is clearly distinguishable for biometric scanning.
• Third step: Instruct the subject to adopt a neutral expression with eyes open, mouth closed, and head centered facing the camera to comply with Australia’s biometric standards.
• Fourth step: Use a high-resolution DSLR or mirrorless camera (minimum 12 MP), set ISO 100–200, aperture f/8, and shutter speed 1/100 s to capture a sharp, well-exposed image.
• Fifth step: Frame the shot so the head occupies 70–80 % of the image area, keeping the top of the hair 2–5 mm from the top edge and showing shoulders for proper centering.
• Sixth step: Review multiple captures on a calibrated monitor to confirm correct focus, even lighting, natural skin tones, no reflections on glasses, and no shadowing on the face or background.
• Seventh step: Open the best shot in professional editing software, crop exactly to 35 × 45 mm at 600 dpi, verify head height and centering, and ensure the background remains uniform.
• Eighth step: Print the final image on high-quality matte or glossy photo paper at a professional photo lab, trim precisely to the template edges, then cross-check against an official guide to guarantee full compliance.

Tips and Best Practices

• Head Size & Position Accuracy: ensure your head measures 32–36 mm from chin to crown and is perfectly centered in the 35×45 mm frame to comply with biometric scanning specs and avoid auto-crop failures
• Neutral Expression & Eye Alignment: maintain a straight face with mouth closed and eyes level roughly 28–35 mm from the bottom edge to prevent expression-related rejections and ensure clear identity matching
• Even Lighting & Plain Background: use soft, diffuse light and a uniform off-white or light grey backdrop to eliminate shadows and contrast issues that can trigger automatic quality-control flags
• No Glasses or Headgear (Unless Exempt): remove eyeglasses to avoid reflections and ensure full eye visibility; only wear religious head coverings if they don’t obscure facial features to meet photo integrity rules
• Recent Photo & High-Resolution Print: provide a photo taken within the last six months, printed on high-quality photographic paper at 600 dpi to prevent fading, pixelation, or color distortion that can lead to rejection

Conclusion

In summary, adhering to the AU Australia citizenship 35×45 mm photo requirements ensures your application proceeds smoothly and without delays.

• Photo dimensions: exactly 35 mm wide × 45 mm high
• Background: plain white or off-white, no shadows or patterns
• Head size: 32–36 mm from chin to crown, centered vertically
• Eye position: 19–28 mm from bottom edge of the photo
• Expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible
• Glasses: allowed if frames are thin, eyes unobstructed, no glare
• Headwear: only for religious or medical reasons, face fully visible
• Color and quality: natural skin tones, high resolution, sharp focus
• Recent photo: taken within the last 6 months, no digital enhancements
• Print standards: on quality photographic paper, matte or glossy finish