No — glasses of any kind are not permitted in Australia passport photos. The Australian Passport Office (APO) bans all eyewear. This applies to passports and Australian visa applications.
The Exact Glasses Rule for Australian Passport Photos
All glasses are banned:
- Prescription glasses — not allowed, regardless of medical need
- Sunglasses — not allowed
- Tinted lenses — not allowed
- Reading glasses — not allowed
- Blue-light blocking glasses — not allowed
- Photochromic (transition) lenses — not allowed, even if clear indoors
- Non-prescription fashion frames — not allowed
The only item permitted near your eyes is clear prescription contact lenses.
Get a compliant passport photo online
When Did Australia Ban Glasses in Passport Photos?
Before 2018, Australia permitted prescription glasses in passport photos, provided the lenses were clear and glare-free. In March 2018, the Australian Passport Office announced a blanket ban on all eyewear. The change applied to all new applications immediately, with little lead time. Many applicants learned about it only when their photos were rejected.
If you're renewing a passport that was issued before 2018 and your current photo shows glasses, you'll need a new glasses-free photo.
Why Does Australia Ban Glasses in Passport Photos?
The Australian Passport Office implemented the ban to improve facial recognition accuracy at SmartGate automated border control. Glasses interfere because:
- Frames obscure facial geometry. The bridge area between the eyes is a critical measurement point.
- Lenses create reflections. Even anti-glare coatings don't eliminate all reflections under studio lighting.
- Shadows from frames fall on the cheeks and under the eyes.
- SmartGate automated gates compare your passport photo to a live camera scan. Glasses in the photo but not at the gate (or vice versa) cause matching failures.
Australia follows the same approach as the majority of countries worldwide.
Are There Medical Exemptions for Glasses in Australian Photos?
The 2018 change eliminated all medical exemptions. The APO website explicitly states no exceptions, including for:
- Vision impairment requiring constant glasses use
- Post-surgical eye conditions
- Documented photophobia (light sensitivity)
If you have a genuine medical condition that makes glasses removal difficult, consult your doctor about contact lenses as an alternative. The photo itself takes only seconds — you can put your glasses back on immediately after.
Can You Wear Contact Lenses in an Australian Passport Photo?
Clear prescription contact lenses are fine. The rule targets glasses and tinted lenses, not vision correction that doesn't obscure your eyes.
What might get flagged: Coloured or cosmetic contact lenses that noticeably change your eye colour. The biometric system compares your photo to previous records. Dramatically different eye colour can trigger additional verification. Plain clear lenses won't cause issues.
Practical Tips for Glasses Wearers Taking Australian Photos
Before the photo
- Remove glasses 5–10 minutes early. This gives the red marks on the bridge of your nose time to fade. These marks are visible in close-up passport photos.
- If you normally squint without glasses, practise keeping your eyes naturally open. The photo requires a neutral expression with both eyes clearly visible.
- If you use contact lenses, insert them before arriving at the post office or studio.
During the photo
- Keep your eyes relaxed and open. Don't squint to compensate for poor vision.
- If you can't see the camera clearly, ask the photographer to guide you. They handle this regularly.
- Wear your glasses to get positioned, then remove them just before the shutter.
After the photo
- Check the photo on screen before printing. Verify no red marks from frames are visible.
Where to Get Your Photo in Australia
Australia Post. Most Australia Post outlets offer passport photo services. Cost: AUD $19.95 (standard). Staff know current requirements including the glasses ban. This is the most common option.
Professional studios. Photo studios in shopping centres and high streets. Cost: AUD $15–25. Ask for "passport photo, no glasses, white background."
Pharmacy and retail. Some pharmacies (Chemist Warehouse locations vary) and retailers (Officeworks in some locations) offer passport photo services. Cost varies.
DIY at home. If taking your own photo:
- White background (Australia requires pure white)
- 35×45mm
- No glasses of any kind
- Neutral expression, mouth closed (smiling not allowed)
- Both eyes clearly visible
- Head centred, facing camera directly
Australian Visa Photo Glasses Rules
Australian visa applications (including eVisitor, ETA, and other visa classes) also ban glasses. The same photo requirements apply. If you're applying for a visa to Australia from abroad, ensure no glasses in your photo.
Glasses Rules: Australia vs Other Countries
| Country | Glasses | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | ❌ Banned | Since 2018 |
| United States | ❌ Banned | Since 2016 |
| China | ❌ Banned | |
| Japan | ❌ Banned | |
| France | ❌ Banned | |
| India | ❌ Banned | Since 2020 |
| Netherlands | ❌ Banned | |
| United Kingdom | ✅ Conditional | Prescription only, no glare |
| Canada | ✅ Conditional | Prescription only, no glare |
| Germany | ✅ Conditional | Prescription only, no glare |
| Italy | ✅ Conditional | Prescription only, no glare |
| South Korea | ✅ Conditional | Prescription only, no glare |
Australia follows the global majority in banning all glasses. Only a minority of countries — UK, Canada, Germany, Italy, and South Korea among major nations — still permit prescription glasses conditionally.
Common Mistakes with Glasses in Australian Passport Photos
Thinking the pre-2018 rules still apply. The prescription exception was eliminated. All glasses are banned now.
Keeping glasses on "because they're clear." Even perfectly clear prescription glasses are banned.
Digitally removing glasses. Photo manipulation is detectable and can delay your application.
Assuming an older passport photo is still valid. For renewals, you need a new photo without glasses.
Wearing transition lenses that haven't fully cleared. Any tint causes rejection.
Ignoring nose-bridge marks. Remove glasses well before the photo session.
Glasses Rules for Australians Renewing Passports Abroad
If you're renewing your Australian passport from abroad, the same no-glasses rule applies. Australian embassies and consulates in London, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Washington DC, and Wellington all enforce the ban.
In countries where glasses are allowed for their own passports (UK, Canada, Germany, South Korea), photo studios may assume glasses are fine. Specify: "Australian passport photo, no glasses, white background, 35×45mm."
How SmartGate Uses Your Glasses-Free Passport Photo
Australia's SmartGate system at airports uses facial recognition to match your passport photo to your live face. The system works best with glasses-free photos because:
- The live scan typically captures you without glasses
- Matching a glasses-free photo to a glasses-free face produces the highest confidence score
- This reduces delays at automated gates in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and other international airports
Children's Australian Passport Photos and Glasses
The same no-glasses rule applies to children. If your child wears prescription glasses, remove them for the photo. Australian passports for children under 16 are valid for 5 years. Adult passports are valid for 10 years.
Do Not Digitally Remove Glasses from Your Photo
Do not digitally remove glasses from a photo. The biometric system compares your submitted photo to the in-person SmartGate scan. Manipulated photos can delay your application. Always take the photo without glasses from the start.
Verify your photo meets all Australian passport requirements with the passportsize-photo.online checker. For size requirements, see Australian passport photo size guide. View all Australian passport photo rules on the Australia hub.
