Independent reference to official photo rules

Not affiliated with any government. Always confirm with the issuing authority before you apply.

WorldPhotoSpecsOfficial photo rules for every country

Driving licences

Australia driver licence photo requirements

The photo rules set by State and territory licensing agencies (for example Service NSW, VicRoads, Queensland Transport and Main Roads, Department of Transport WA) for the Australia driver licence, with the official wording and sources.

Based on 11 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

Rate this page

Quick answer

What are the Australia driver licence photo requirements?

In every Australian state and territory your driver licence photo is taken by the licensing agency at a service centre or approved photo point. You cannot upload a selfie or hand over a passport photo. You only supply a printed photo through a photo kit or remote application, usually when temporarily interstate or overseas, for example Queensland's two 35 x 45 mm colour photos.

Each Australian state and territory runs its own driver licensing. When you apply or renew in person, the licensing agency takes your photo. You only supply your own printed photo if you renew through a photo kit or a remote application, usually because you are temporarily interstate or overseas.

Digital licences show the photo the licensing agency already holds, so you never upload a photo to them. NSW (Service NSW app), Victoria (Service Victoria or myVicRoads app), Queensland (Digital Licence app) and South Australia (mySAGOV) offer digital licences. Victoria advises carrying your plastic card when driving interstate. WA expects its digital licence by the end of 2027, the NT's is in development, the ACT is assessing one and Tasmania does not offer one.

Australia driver licence photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by State and territory licensing agencies (for example Service NSW, VicRoads, Queensland Transport and Main Roads, Department of Transport WA):[1]

Print sizePhoto kit (Queensland): two identical colour photos, 35 mm wide x 45 mm long
Head heightPhoto kit (WA form E13): chin to crown
BackgroundPhoto kit (WA form E13 and Tasmania): plain white
ColourColour
Photo agePhoto kit (Queensland): no more than 6 months old
Print qualityPhoto kit (WA form E13): matte paper

Key requirements

  • Where the photo is taken

    NSW: Service NSW centre. Victoria: VicRoads customer service centre or a Photo Point (some Australia Post outlets and councils). Queensland: Transport and Main Roads (TMR) customer service centre. WA: transport centre, regional agent or Australia Post PhotoPoint. SA: Service SA customer service centre. Tasmania: Service Tasmania centre. ACT: Access Canberra service centre. NT: Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) office or a participating Australia Post outlet.

  • How often a new photo is needed

    NSW: the photo must be taken within 10.5 years of the new licence's expiry to renew online. Victoria: your renewal notice says if a new photo is needed. Queensland: licence photos are valid for 10 years. WA: new photo and signature every 10 years. SA: valid for 10 years (one 12-month extension allowed). Tasmania: taken when Service Tasmania asks for a new one. ACT: a 10-year renewal needs a photo taken within the last 12 months. NT: stored photo used for up to 10 years.

  • Online renewal

    NSW uses the photo already stored by Transport for NSW. Victoria: pay online, then have the photo taken within 3 months. Queensland: not available if you need a new photo. WA: pay in person if a new photo is due. SA: renew in person when a new photo is due, with no extra fee for the photo. Tasmania: online or BPAY renewal keeps your existing photo. ACT: online renewal of up to 5 years uses your latest photo. NT: only if no new photo is needed.

  • Counter photo rules

    Rules published by NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA and the ACT apply almost everywhere: face the camera with a neutral expression and your mouth closed, with glasses, sunglasses, hats, caps, novelty wigs and headphones removed.

  • Photo kits

    Queensland: two identical colour photos, 35 mm wide by 45 mm long, no more than 6 months old, with glasses removed; a witness writes on the back 'I certify this is a true photograph of [name] in my presence.' WA (form E13): two colour photos, 45 x 35 mm, on matte paper with a plain white background, from chin to crown, neutral expression with mouth closed and no face veil; a witness signs the back; for people temporarily interstate or overseas, with medical reasons, or living in remote WA. Tasmania: a passport-quality 45 x 35 mm photo on a white background, with religious headwear only and no veils, for out-of-state renewals. NSW and Victoria: photo kits are only for people temporarily interstate or overseas, and the kit explains what photos to include; in NSW, if your last renewal used a photo kit, you cannot renew online next time.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • Face the camera with a neutral expression and your mouth closed
  • Keep religious, cultural or medical head coverings if you wear them, with your face visible from chin to forehead
  • Keep hearing aids in (ACT)

Don't

  • Wear glasses or sunglasses, even if you need glasses to drive
  • Wear hats, caps or novelty wigs
  • Wear headphones or anything that covers your face
  • Smile (states that publish photo rules ask for a neutral expression)

Glasses

NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA and the ACT all ask you to remove your glasses for the photo, even if you must wear them to drive. Removing them does not change the eyesight condition printed on your licence. Photo-kit rules are looser in places: WA's E13 kit only says that frames or tinted lenses must not cover your eyes, and Tasmania's form bans dark glasses. Taking glasses off is the safest choice for any licence photo.

Headwear and religious dress

Religious, cultural or medical head coverings can be worn, with the face visible from chin to forehead. Hats, caps, novelty wigs and headphones are not allowed. WA's photo kit allows no face veil; Tasmania's kit allows religious headwear only and no veils.

Licence photos are taken at the counter, not supplied. A printed photo is only accepted through a photo kit or remote application. Digital licences use the photo already held by the licensing agency.

Where to submit the photo

You do not submit a photo for a counter application: the licensing agency takes it at a service centre or approved photo point. For interstate or overseas renewals, some states accept printed photos signed on the back by a witness, sent with a photo kit.

How to get your Australia driver licence photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the Australia driver licence: photo kit background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: where the photo is taken; how often a new photo is needed; online renewal; counter photo rules.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. Licence photos are taken at the counter, not supplied. A printed photo is only accepted through a photo kit or remote application. Digital licences use the photo already held by the licensing agency.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. You do not submit a photo for a counter application: the licensing agency takes it at a service centre or approved photo point. For interstate or overseas renewals, some states accept printed photos signed on the back by a witness, sent with a photo kit.

Australia driver licence photo FAQ

Usually not. Every state and territory takes your licence photo itself, at a service centre or an approved photo point. A printed photo is only accepted through a photo kit or remote application, for example when you renew while temporarily interstate or overseas.

Yes in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA and the ACT, even if you need glasses to drive. Your licence still carries the condition that you must wear them while driving.

In most states about every 10 years. Queensland, WA, SA and the NT all work on a 10-year photo cycle, and NSW lets you renew online only if your photo was taken within 10.5 years of the new licence expiry date.

No. The states that publish photo rules ask for a neutral expression with your mouth closed.

Related photo specifications

Other Australia documents

Driving licences nearby

Was this page helpful?

No ratings yet. Be the first to rate this page.

Official sources

  1. Transport for NSW. Licence photo requirements nsw.gov.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. Service NSW. Renew or upgrade a NSW driver licence service.nsw.gov.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. VicRoads. Licence photo requirements vicroads.vic.gov.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. Queensland Government. Renew your driver licence qld.gov.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  5. Queensland Government. Renew while interstate or overseas qld.gov.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  6. Department of Transport WA. Get my photo taken transport.wa.gov.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  7. Department of Transport WA. Photo Kit (form E13, PDF) transport.wa.gov.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  8. SA Government. Obtain a new licence photo sa.gov.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  9. Service Tasmania. Renew a driver or motorcycle licence service.tas.gov.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  10. Access Canberra. Taking your photo at a service centre accesscanberra.act.gov.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  11. NT Government. Renew your driver licence nt.gov.au. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with State and territory licensing agencies (for example Service NSW, VicRoads, Queensland Transport and Main Roads, Department of Transport WA) before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"Australia driver licence photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/australia/driver-licence-photo

Categories: