The New Rule Australian Passport Holders Need To Know

Coming into power July 1


25 May 2018

If you wear glasses take note – you’ll no longer be allowed to wear them in your passport photo.

From July 1, new Australian Government Rules mean spectacle wearers will have to ditch them for their passport photo to help make facial matching more accurate.

The new rule “further strengthens the integrity of the Australian passport”, the Australian Passport Office said.

“Research has shown that glasses adversely affect passport facial matching. Matching is more accurate without glasses,” the department said.

“A limited exemption for medical reasons may apply where supported by a medical certificate.”

The new rule applies only to new passport applications.