Digital photo requirements

Some online applications for ID cards, such as a Temporary Traffic Management card, need you to attach a digital photo. This photo will be used on your card.

You can take the photo yourself, but it must meet the guidelines below.

Make sure you upload the photo in the format requested. If you're unsure, use JPG/JPEG. This is the default format for images on most phones.

Guidelines for the photo

The image needs to be:

  • less than 6 months old
  • in focus with no pixellation
  • centred with your face looking directly at the camera
  • showing your head and top of your shoulders
  • taken against a white or pale background with no shadows.

How to pose

  1. Check that your hair is off your face. If you wear a head covering for religious reasons, make sure the edges of your face are visible.
  2. If you're wearing glasses, take them off unless you have a medical reason to keep them on. For example, recent eye surgery or extreme light sensitivity.
  3. Look directly at the camera. Don’t tilt your head to one side.
  4. Make a neutral expression – no laughing or frowning.
  5. Have your eyes open and mouth closed.
  6. Take the picture.
  7. Check it against the below images to make sure you have the right sizing and positioning.
  8. Resize and crop if necessary or take a new photo if it doesn’t meet the guidelines.

Examples

Acceptable photo
An example of an acceptable photo for an ID card with a woman centred, looking at the camera, against a light background.

Too blurry 
An example of a bad ID photo that is out of focus.

Too close
An example of a bad ID photo where the person is too close and takes up too much of the frame.

Background too dark
An example of a bad ID photo where the background is too dark.