Dastaar and identity documentation
The Dastaar never covers the face. In all jurisdictions around the world (including Australia), Sikhs are identified in passports, driver’s licenses, identity cards, student cards with their Dastaar tied on their head. Some Sikh women may choose to wear a Dastaar or a Chunni to cover their head.
We have outlined below those publicly available rules applicable to the Sikh turban in the respective identification photo documentation.
Australian passport photo requirements
Head coverings
If you usually cover your head for religious reasons, then you can wear the covering in your passport photo.
Religious head coverings have to be plain, without patterns (even small patterns), and be worn in a way that shows your face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead. The edges of your face on either side also have to be visible.
From left to right: 1. Face not fully visible. 2. Correct.
Graphic credit: Netherlands passport photo requirements
Driver’s licenses
NSW:
Hats and other head coverings
You may wear head coverings worn for cultural or religious reasons. Religious or cultural headwear is defined as a garment that is worn to cover the head and is primarily designed for that purpose.
They must be adjusted 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.
WA:
Q: My religion requires me to wear head-dress which does not cover my face. How does this affect my photo on my driver's licence?
A: Head gear worn for religious purposes does not have to be removed for the photo capture provided it doesn’t cover the face.
Department of Transport website
VIC:
Head coverings
A hat or head covering is only permitted:
for religious and medical reasons
the photo image must show the person’s full facial features:
from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead.
including cheeks, mouth, eyes and eyebrows.
TAS:
What are the photo requirements for licence photos?
Your photo should be the same quality as those taken for passports. This includes:
Being a colour photo that is 45x35mm in size
Shows a front view of your head on a white background
Not having glasses on.