Quick answer
What are the rules for a baby passport photo in Australia?
A baby or child passport photo follows the adult rules: 35–40 × 45–50 mm, face 32–36 mm, plain white or light grey background, less than 6 months old. The Australian Passport Office lets children under 3 have their mouth open, but no one else, including a parent's hand, may be visible.
A baby or child passport photo in Australia follows the same rules as an adult's: 35–40 × 45–50 mm, face 32–36 mm from chin to crown, on a plain white or light grey background, less than 6 months old. The main exception is that children under 3 may have their mouth open. No one else may be visible, so a parent's hand in shot means the photo will be rejected.
What the rules say for children
| Size | 35–40 mm wide × 45–50 mm high, face 32–36 mm |
|---|---|
| Expression (under 3) | Mouth may be open; facing the camera |
| Expression (3 and over) | Neutral, eyes open, facing the camera straight on |
| Other people | No one else visible, including a parent's hand |
| Objects | No toys, dummies or other objects in the photo |
| Background | Plain white or light grey |
| Photo age | Less than 6 months old |
Sample photos
How to get a child passport photo ready
- Check the child rules. The photo must be 35–40 × 45–50 mm, with the face 32–36 mm from chin to crown, on a plain white or light grey background, and less than 6 months old. Children under 3 may have their mouth open.
Eyes open, facing the camera
Under 3: mouth may be open - Keep everyone else out of shot. No one else may be visible, including a parent's hand, and there must be no toys, dummies or other objects in the photo. See the tips below for babies and toddlers.
A parent's hand in the photo 
A dummy in the mouth
No one and nothing else - Get two photos. Every child, including a newborn, needs their own passport with two photos that meet the standard rules.
- Have the guarantor sign one photo. The guarantor writes "This is a true photo of [your child's full name]" on the back of one photo.
- Complete the consent sections. Everyone with parental responsibility completes the consent sections of the form, witnessed by an adult.
Tips for photographing babies and toddlers
These are practical tips, not official rules
The APO does not publish instructions for photographing babies. These suggestions help you meet its rules.
- Lay your baby on their back on a plain white sheet and take the photo from directly above, so the sheet becomes the background.
- For a baby who can sit, use a car seat or high chair draped with a white sheet, keeping your hands out of the frame.
- Choose a time after a feed or a nap, in soft daylight, and take plenty of shots.
- Check that both edges of the face are visible and that there are no shadows from the sheet folds.
Child passports: validity, consent and guarantors
- Validity: up to 5 years for children aged 0–15, and up to 10 years for those aged 16 or 17. A child passport costs $213.
- Consent: everyone with parental responsibility completes the consent sections of the form, witnessed by an adult. Children aged 10 or over also sign, and 16- and 17-year-olds must attend when the application is lodged.
- Guarantor: must have known the child for more than 12 months, or since birth for a baby under 1, and writes "This is a true photo of [your child's full name]" on the back of one photo. See guarantors and signing photos.
Baby passport photo FAQ
Yes. Every child, including a newborn, needs their own passport with two photos that meet the standard rules.
Yes, for children under 3. From age 3, children need a neutral expression with eyes open, like adults.
Not in shot. No one else can be visible in the photo, and the APO lists a parent's hand as unacceptable.
The guarantor, who writes "This is a true photo of [your child's full name]" on the back of one photo. For babies under 1, the guarantor must have known the child since birth instead of for 12 months.
Official sources
- Australian Passport Office: Passport photos
- Australian Passport Office: Child passport
- Australian Passport Office: Guarantors, referees and witnesses
Last checked . Requirements and fees can change, so always confirm with the issuing agency before you apply. This site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency.