What does my photo need to include?
The photo must include your:
- full head, including hair. Exceptions made for large volumes of hair, hair worn in a bun or religious headwear, where all hair might not be able to be captured.
- neck and shoulders
- both eyes (open)
- eyebrows
- nose.
When you take your photo make sure to:
- face square and look directly towards the camera
- remove glasses or sunglasses, even if you need glasses to drive
- show both edges of your face clearly and not tilt your head
- keep hair out of your eyes
- have a neutral expression, mouth and lips closed (not smiling or laughing)
- not have raised eyebrows
- keep any facial piercings in but remove them if they cause any reflection.
What a good photo looks like
What unsuitable photos look like
The background is different colours or dark coloured.
The image is not clear.
The image is too dark.
No clear contrast of background and image.
Hair is covering the eyes and eyebrows.
The person must be facing forward, without any head angle.
The person is not looking directly at the camera.
The person’s eyes are looking away.
The person’s eyes are closed.
The person’s mouth is open and is smiling.
What about head coverings?
You can wear a hat or head covering only:
- if it is for religious and medical reasons
- the photo image shows your full facial features:
- from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead
- including cheeks, mouth, eyes and eyebrows.
What a good photo with a head covering looks like
What unsuitable photos with head coverings look like
The head covering is sitting across the eyebrows, covering the hairline.
The head covering is hiding features of the face.
The head covering casts shadows across the head.
Coverings must be a single colour, without patterns.