DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) rejects passport photos that do not meet their official specifications. A rejected photo delays your application — sometimes by weeks. Here are the seven most common reasons and how to avoid each one using Kindro's free tool.
1. Wearing Glasses — Strictly Prohibited by DFAT
DFAT does not allow any type of glasses in Australian passport photos. This is one of the most common rejection reasons, especially for people who wear prescription glasses daily. Sunglasses, tinted lenses, reading glasses, and prescription glasses are all prohibited — no exceptions.
How to fix it: Remove all eyewear before taking your photo. There are no medical exemptions for glasses in Australian passport photos. If you need vision correction, consider contact lenses for the photo.
2. Background Issues — Shadows, Colour, or Patterns
DFAT requires a plain white background with no patterns, textures, or shadows. Common problems include visible shadows behind the head, off-white or cream-coloured walls, and patterned wallpaper or curtains in the background.
How to fix it: Kindro's AI removes your entire background and replaces it with pure white — no need to find a perfect wall. Stand a few feet from any wall to avoid casting a shadow, even though Kindro will remove the background.
3. Face Height Out of Range — Must Be 32 to 36 mm
DFAT strictly enforces face height measurements: the distance from your chin to the natural top of your head (crown, not hair) must be between 32 mm and 36 mm in the printed photo. If your face is too large or too small in the frame, the photo will be rejected.
How to fix it: Kindro automatically detects your face and scales it to fall within the 32-36 mm range. The compliance report confirms the exact face height before you print. No manual measurement needed.
4. Wrong Dimensions — Must Be 35 x 45 mm
Australian passport photos must be exactly 35 x 45 mm. A common mistake is using the US/Indian 2 x 2 inch (51 x 51 mm) format or the Canadian 50 x 70 mm format. Photos of the wrong size will be rejected immediately.
How to fix it: Use Kindro's Australian passport photo tool, which automatically formats your photo to 35 x 45 mm at 300 DPI (413 x 531 pixels). Do not use passport photo tools configured for other countries.
5. Missing or Incorrect Guarantor Endorsement
Australian passport applications require a guarantor to endorse the back of one of your two photos. A missing endorsement, incorrect wording, or an ineligible guarantor will cause your application to be returned.
How to fix it: After printing, have your guarantor (an Australian citizen who has known you for at least 12 months) write on the back of one photo: "I certify that this is a true photo of [your full name]" — followed by their printed name and signature.
6. Expression, Shadows, or Head Position
Your face must be directly facing the camera with a neutral expression, mouth closed, and both eyes open. Common rejections include smiling (even slightly), tilted or turned head, shadows on the face from overhead or side lighting, and red-eye.
How to fix it: Stand facing a window for even, natural lighting. Look directly at the camera at eye level. Keep your expression neutral — no smile, no frown. Kindro's compliance checks flag head tilt and expression issues before you print.
7. Low Resolution or Poor Print Quality
Photos must be at least 300 DPI and printed on photo-quality glossy paper. Common problems include blurry photos from phone cameras in low light, visible inkjet dots from home printers, and photos printed on regular paper or matte stock.
How to fix it: Take your photo in good lighting (natural daylight is best). Kindro outputs at 300 DPI. Print on glossy photo paper at Officeworks, Australia Post, or any photo lab for about $0.20. Avoid printing at home unless you have a high-quality photo printer.
Avoid Rejection Entirely
Most rejections happen because of preventable issues — glasses, wrong dimensions, or shadows. Kindro's AI handles background removal, face centring, dimension formatting, and compliance checking automatically. The compliance report flags potential issues before you print, so you can fix them for free instead of paying $19.95 for a retake at Australia Post.
- Automatic 35 x 45 mm formatting
- AI background removal to pure white
- Face height scaled to 32-36 mm range
- Glasses detection warns you before processing
- 300 DPI output for sharp, high-quality prints
- Compliance report before you print