Step-by-Step AU Australia NSW Driver's Licence Photo-kit 35x45 mm Application Guide

Requirements

• Dimensions: photo must be exactly 35 mm wide × 45 mm high on high-quality photographic paper
• Head size: distance from top of head (including hair) to bottom of chin must measure between 32 mm and 36 mm
• Eye position: vertical distance from the bottom edge of the photo to the eye line must be between 28 mm and 34 mm
• Background: plain white or very light grey with no shadows, patterns or objects visible
• Facial expression: neutral expression with mouth closed, no smile, frown or exaggerated expression
• Gaze & head orientation: looking straight at the camera, head centered and level (no tilt or turn)
• Lighting & contrast: even, balanced lighting with no shadows on face or background and true-to-life skin tones
• Glasses: allowed only if normally worn; lenses must be clear (no tint), frames thin and must not cover eyes or create glare
• Head coverings: permitted only for genuine religious or medical reasons; must not obscure any facial features or cast shadows
• Colour & quality: colour photo showing natural skin tones, sharp focus, good contrast, no red-eye, ink marks, creases or tears
• Recency: taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance
• Clothing: everyday attire only; uniforms, camouflage clothing, hats and headbands are not permitted (except approved religious coverings)
• Retouching: no digital enhancements, filters or airbrushing that alter your natural appearance
• Finish: matte or glossy photographic finish—no inkjet prints, photocopies or low-resolution images

Step-by-Step Process

• Order the NSW 35 × 45 mm Photo-kit: request or purchase the official kit from Service NSW to ensure you have the approved measurement template, instruction sheet and compliance checklist.
• Review the kit instructions: read every requirement (background colour, head size, lighting, printing specs) so you understand why each rule exists and avoid common rejection reasons.
• Set up the environment: choose a plain, light-coloured wall or backdrop and position two soft lights at 45° angles—this removes shadows and delivers uniform illumination for accurate skin tone and contrast.
• Position the subject: have the applicant stand 1 m from the backdrop, look straight ahead with a neutral expression, mouth closed and eyes open—this aligns the head within the kit’s template boundaries for the required eye-line placement.
• Capture the image: use a high-resolution camera or smartphone (minimum 12 MP) mounted on a tripod at eye level; ensure the lens is horizontal to avoid distortion and take multiple shots to select the sharpest.
• Crop and size to 35 × 45 mm: import the best shot into photo-editing software, overlay the kit template, centre the head so the top of hair is 3 mm below the frame and the chin is 5 mm above the bottom border; export at 600 dpi in JPEG format.
• Print on quality photo paper: use matte or semi-gloss 260 gsm photo paper, set your printer colour profile to “photo” and confirm the printed output measures exactly 35 × 45 mm with no borders or cutting errors.
• Complete the compliance checklist and submit: attach your printed photos to the kit’s template, tick every box on the checklist to certify background, head size, lighting and paper quality, then hand in or mail your complete Photo-kit with your licence application.

Tips and Best Practices

• Background consistency: Use a plain, light-coloured backdrop free of shadows and textures – essential because NSW requires a neutral background to prevent photo rejection
• Dimension accuracy: Position your head 32–36 mm tall in a 35×45 mm frame with about 3 mm clearance above the hair – critical because incorrect sizing leads to automatic refusal
• Neutral expression: Maintain a relaxed, closed-mouth expression with eyes fully open and looking straight at the camera – vital for clear identification and compliance with ID standards
• Glare prevention: Remove glasses or adjust lighting and camera angle to eliminate reflections – prevents eye obstruction so authorities can verify your identity
• Unobstructed face visibility: Keep hair, accessories, and non-religious headwear away from the face – ensures all facial features are visible as required by NSW guidelines

Conclusion

Conclusion:

By following the Step-by-Step AU Australia NSW Driver’s Licence Photo-kit 35×45 mm Application Guide, you’ll produce a compliant, high-quality photo that meets all RMS standards and avoids rejections.

• Use the official 35×45 mm photo-kit template for live alignment
• Capture with a high-resolution camera under even, shadow-free lighting
• Position head centered, occupying 70–80% of frame height with neutral expression
• Employ a plain white or light-grey background, no hats or tinted glasses
• Digitally crop to exact 35×45 mm at 600 DPI and print on matte, photo-quality paper
• Trim to the kit’s border marks and perform a final RMS compliance check before submission