Endorsed photographs
All applications must be accompanied by an endorsed photograph.
The photograph should be a passport sized colour photograph that is no more than 6 months old.
The photograph must be a full front view of the applicant’s head and shoulders without any head covering or tinted glasses. If the applicant wears a head covering for religious reasons, a photograph that shows the applicant’s facial features will be accepted. If the applicant normally wears prescription glasses, then glasses with untinted lens should be worn in the photograph. The photograph must have a plain, light coloured background.
The department will not accept a poor quality photograph or a laser print.
The photograph must be signed on the back by an Australian citizen* and also inscribed with ‘This is a true photograph of (applicant’s name in full)’.
The Australian citizen* must have known the applicant for at least 12 months, not be related by birth or marriage and belong to one of the professions or occupations listed below.
Note: if applicant is 6 years or younger the person endorsing the photo does not have to have known the applicant for 12 months. A lesser period is acceptable and this should be noted on the back of the photo.
- Australian Consular Officer or Australian Diplomatic Officer (within the meaning of the Consular Fees Act 1955)
- Bailiff
- Bank officer with 5 or more years of continuous service
- Building society officer with 5 or more years of continuous service
- Chiropractor (licensed or registered)
- Clerk of court
- Commissioner for Affidavits
- Commissioner for Declarations
- Credit union officer with 5 or more years of continuous service
- Dentist (licensed or registered)
- Fellow of the National Tax Accountant’s Association
- Finance company officer with 5 or more years of continuous service
- Judge of a court
- Justice of the peace
- Legal practitioner (licensed or registered)
- Magistrate
- Marriage celebrant licensed or registered under Subdivision C of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act 1961
- Master of a court
- Medical practitioner (licensed or registered)
- Member of Chartered Secretaries Australia
- Member of Engineers Australia, other than at the grade of student
- Member of the Association of Taxation and Management Accountants
- Member of the Australian Defence Force with 5 or more years of continuous service
- Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Australian Society of Certified Practicing Accountants or the National Institute of Accountants
- Member of the Parliament of the Commonwealth, a State, a Territory Legislature, or a local government authority of a State or Territory
- Minister of religion licensed or registered under Subdivision A of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act 1961
- Nurse (licensed or registered)
- Optometrist (licensed or registered)
- Permanent employee of Commonwealth, State or local government authority with at least 5 or more years of continuous service.
- Permanent employee of the Australian Postal Corporation with 5 or more years of continuous service
- Pharmacist (licensed or registered)
- Physiotherapist (licensed or registered)
- Police officer
- Psychologist (licensed or registered)
- Registrar, or Deputy Registrar, of a court
- Sheriff
- Teacher employed on a full-time basis at a school or tertiary education institution
- Veterinary surgeon (licensed or registered)
* Applicants living overseas
Where the applicant lives overseas and does not know an Australian citizen, the photograph may be signed by a citizen in the applicant’s country of residence who is employed in one of the occupational groups listed above, who is not related by birth or marriage and who has known the applicant for at least 12 months.
Note: if applicant is 6 years or younger the person endorsing the photo does not have to have known the applicant for 12 months. A lesser period is acceptable and this should be noted on the back of the photo.