Getting your photo taken at a service centre

It's important that photos we take of you at Service NSW Centres meet our guidelines. This will help you successfully complete applications that require your photo to confirm your identity.

Guidelines for getting your photo taken

When we take your photo, we ask you to:

  • sit up straight and look directly at the camera with your eyes open
  • not smile – have a neutral expression on your face with your mouth closed
  • remove all glasses or sunglasses, even if you need glasses to drive
  • remove headphones or earbuds (hearing aids do not need to be removed)
  • make sure your hair is not covering your face, particularly your eyes and eyebrows.

Make-up and jewellery

Facial ornaments and piercings such as nose and eyebrow rings and studs are acceptable if you wear them all the time and they do not cause a reflection in the photograph.

Earrings are acceptable as long as they do not obstruct the view of the edges of your face.

Excessive or extreme make-up that changes your appearance such as gothic or theatrical/stage make-up is not acceptable. 

Head coverings and hats

You may only wear a garment to cover your head if it is for cultural or religious reasons and is primarily designed for that purpose. You may not wear any other kind of hat or novelty wig.

You must adjust your head covering so that:

  • your whole face is visible, from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead, including both edges of your face
  • no shadows are cast on your face.

Hair accessories are acceptable, as long as they do not obstruct the view of any facial feature.

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Last updated: 17 December 2024