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From July 1 anyone applying for a new passport will need to ditch their glasses.
The move comes as Australia ramps up facial recognition technology. Glasses make facial matching difficult.
In a statement Smart Traveller says:
“Glasses are not allowed in passport photos taken from 1 July 2018. In rare cases they may be permitted where glasses cannot be removed for medical reasons (eg severe light sensitivity or recent eye surgery). Vision impairment alone is not sufficient for medical exemption.”
If you need to wear glasses for medical reasons, the frames must not obscure the eyes and there must be no reflection from the lessons. You will also need to supply a medical certificate, signed by a registered medical practitioner. This certificate must state the reason why glasses cannot be removed and it will need to include the medical practitioner’s full name, registration number and the address and phone number of the medical practice.
For the full details on Australian Passport photo requirements click here.
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Travel allows you to get outside your bubble. It makes you realise there are other ways to do things, and that’s OK. Plus, I am a huge fan of skiing and for the best powder – you need to head overseas.