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Australia university student card photo requirements

The photo rules set by Individual universities (Sydney, Melbourne, UNSW, Monash, Queensland, ANU) for the Australia university student card, with the official wording and sources.

Based on 7 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

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Quick answer

What are the Australia university student card photo requirements?

Australian universities set their own student card photo rules and none of the six covered publishes a pixel size. They all want a recent, unedited colour photo of your head and shoulders on a plain light background. Most allow online upload, UNSW and ANU take photos in person, and Monash asks for a live selfie.

Australian universities set their own student card photo rules. Most let you upload a photo online before you arrive, some take it on campus, and Monash asks for a live selfie. This entry covers the University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, UNSW Sydney, Monash University, University of Queensland and the Australian National University.

Some universities still require the plastic card. The University of Sydney does not accept digital student cards for exams, and UNSW requires a physical card for exams from Term 1 2026. UQ issues digital IDs to external students.

Australia university student card photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by Individual universities (Sydney, Melbourne, UNSW, Monash, Queensland, ANU):[1]

Print sizeNot published by the universities; head and shoulders
BackgroundPlain white or light-coloured
ColourColour
Photo ageSydney and UNSW (distance students) ask for a photo taken within 6 months
File formatUQ: JPG, PNG or PDF; UNSW distance students: unedited passport-sized JPEG

Key requirements

  • University of Sydney

    Upload in Sydney Student (My studies > Enrolment > Upload photo). Plain light background; from just above the head to mid-chest; taken within 6 months; no caps or dark glasses.

  • University of Melbourne

    Upload in CaptureMe after uploading your ID. Plain white background; head, neck and shoulders; colour; no filters or retouching; no sunglasses.

  • UNSW Sydney

    Taken in person at an on-campus appointment; distance students email a photo. Distance students need an unedited passport-sized JPEG, less than 6 months old.

  • Monash University

    VerifyMe: upload your ID and take a live selfie. No pre-prepared images; plain light background; nothing covering the face; no shadows.

  • University of Queensland

    Upload online as a JPG, PNG or PDF. Plain white or light background; face and upper shoulders; no filters.

  • Australian National University

    Taken in person at Student Hub Kambri. There is no photo upload option; face visible from chin to forehead.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • Use a recent colour photo (Sydney and UNSW ask for one taken within 6 months)
  • Use a plain white or light-coloured background
  • Face the camera, head and shoulders, with your face clearly visible
  • Wear religious head coverings that leave your facial features visible

Don't

  • Use filters, retouching or edited backgrounds
  • Wear caps, hats or sunglasses
  • Submit a photo of your passport or ID card instead of a real photo
  • Submit low-resolution or blurry images

Glasses

Sunglasses and dark glasses are not allowed (Sydney, Melbourne). The sources summarised do not give a rule for clear prescription glasses.

Headwear and religious dress

Religious head coverings are accepted at the universities listed, as long as your facial features are clearly shown. Caps, hats and sunglasses are not.

Most universities take a digital upload through a portal. If an upload fails, reduce the file size and try again. UNSW and ANU take photos in person, and Monash requires a live selfie rather than a pre-prepared image.

Where to submit the photo

Through the university's portal, such as Sydney Student, CaptureMe or Monash VerifyMe; UNSW and ANU take the photo in person (UNSW distance students email one).

How to get your Australia university student card photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the Australia university student card: plain white or light-coloured background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: university of Sydney; university of Melbourne; uNSW Sydney; monash University.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. Most universities take a digital upload through a portal. If an upload fails, reduce the file size and try again. UNSW and ANU take photos in person, and Monash requires a live selfie rather than a pre-prepared image.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. Through the university's portal, such as Sydney Student, CaptureMe or Monash VerifyMe; UNSW and ANU take the photo in person (UNSW distance students email one).

Australia university student card photo FAQ

Most Australian universities do not publish a pixel size. They ask for a clear, recent colour photo of your head and shoulders on a plain light background. If an upload fails, reduce the file size and try again.

Usually yes, if it is recent and shows your head and shoulders on a plain light background. Monash is the exception: VerifyMe asks for a live selfie and does not accept a pre-prepared image.

Yes, religious head coverings are accepted at the universities listed here, as long as your facial features are clearly shown. Caps and sunglasses are not.

Related photo specifications

Other Australia documents

Student cards nearby

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Official sources

  1. University of Sydney. Student cards sydney.edu.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. University of Sydney. Student card photo guidelines (PDF) sydney.edu.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. University of Melbourne. My first student card students.unimelb.edu.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. UNSW Sydney. Student ID card unsw.edu.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  5. Monash University. Get your M-Pass monash.edu. Checked 29 October 2026.
  6. University of Queensland. Student ID cards my.uq.edu.au. Checked 29 October 2026.
  7. Australian National University. Student cards anu.edu.au. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with Individual universities (Sydney, Melbourne, UNSW, Monash, Queensland, ANU) before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"Australia university student card photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/australia/student-card-photo

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