Australian Child Passport Guide (2026): Rules, Photos, and Process

Getting a passport for your child involves a few extra steps compared to adult applications — particularly around parental consent. This guide covers everything you need to know about applying for an Australian child's passport in 2026, including the special photo rules for babies and toddlers.

How Long Is an Australian Child Passport Valid?

Children's Australian passports are valid for 5 years (not 10 years like adult passports). This shorter validity period means children who travel frequently will need more frequent renewals as they grow.

Who Can Apply for a Child's Passport?

A parent or legal guardian applies on behalf of the child. Both parents (or all persons with parental responsibility) must consent to the passport being issued, unless:

• One parent has sole parental responsibility (court order required)
• One parent is deceased (death certificate required)
• One parent's whereabouts are genuinely unknown (statutory declaration required)

The requirement for both parents to consent is a legal safeguard against child abduction. It applies even if the parents are separated or divorced.

Documents Required for a Child's Passport

• Child's Australian birth certificate (full certificate, not extract)
• Child's passport photo — DFAT-compliant 45×35 mm
• Completed Form PC7 (child application)
• Both parents' identification (driver's licences or passports)
• Parental consent from both parents (Form PC3, or appearance in-person)
• Guarantor declaration — signed by an eligible guarantor who has known the family for at least 1 year
• Payment: A$163 for a 5-year child passport

Parental Consent: What Are the Options?

Both parents must consent. There are several ways to provide this:

• Both parents appear in-person at Australia Post or the Passport Office — the simplest option
• One parent appears and the other completes Form PC3 (Permission for issue of a passport to a person under 18) — Form PC3 must be witnessed by an authorised witness
• Court order — if one parent has sole parental responsibility, a certified copy of the relevant court order is required

How Much Does a Child's Australian Passport Cost?

Fees are approximate — check the Australian Passport Office website for current figures.

Child Passport Photo Rules

DFAT applies the same technical specifications to child photos as adult photos:

• 45 mm × 35 mm portrait
• Head 32–36 mm from chin to crown
• Plain white or very light grey background
• Eyes open and visible
• No glasses, hats, or head coverings (unless religious/medical)
• Colour photo taken within the last 6 months

Special Rules for Babies and Toddlers

DFAT understands that infants cannot comply with adult expression rules. For children under 6:

• Eyes don't need to be fully open, but should be visible
• Expression doesn't need to be strictly neutral
• Mouth can be slightly open
• No support should be visible — no hands, car seats, or props showing in the frame
• Background must still be plain white or very light grey

Tips for photographing babies:

• Lay the baby on a white sheet and photograph from above
• Wait until the baby is awake and calm — just after a feed often works well
• Have another adult ready to attract the baby's attention toward the camera
• Take many photos and select the best one
• Use natural light to avoid flash red-eye

Our Australian baby passport photo service is designed to help with exactly this — upload a photo on your phone, and our AI removes the background and checks compliance automatically.

Processing Time for Child Passports

• Standard: 4–6 weeks
• Priority: 5–10 business days
• Urgent: 2–3 business days

Apply early — especially around school holiday periods when demand is high.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a child travel on a parent's passport?

No — Australian children must have their own passport. They cannot be added to a parent's passport.

What if the other parent won't give consent?

Without consent from both parents, the Australian Passport Office will generally not issue a passport. You may need to apply to a family court for an order permitting the issue of the passport.

Does my child's passport photo need a guarantor signature?

Yes — the guarantor signs the back of one photo confirming the child's likeness, just like for an adult application.

When should I renew my child's passport?

Child passports are valid for 5 years. Renew before expiry and at least 3 months before any planned international travel.