In Australia, there are three main forms of digital identity:
- Online identity providers such as myID and Australia Post's Digital iD
- Services Australia's single sign-on portal myGov
- Digital versions of physical credentials or identity documents such as a Driver's License or a Medicare card
Digital identity providers
editmyID
editmyID is a digital identity provider run by the Australian Government. myID allows users to verify their identity with government or non-government online services without having to provide their identity documents directly.
The process for logging into a website that supports myID is as follows:
- The user selects "Continue with Digital Identity" and enters their email
- The user enters the code generated by the myID mobile app
- If the code is correct, the user will be successfully authenticated to the website
As of January 2025 myID supports logging into 76 different online services.[1]
Australia Post Digital iD
editDigital iD by Australia Post is a smart phone based app that allows users to create and validate their ID against the Australian Government Document Verification Service (DVS) and then use it as a primary ID system online and in person.
Users can use their Passports, Drivers Licenses or Medicare Card to assert and confirm ID online. A photo is taken, and head movement is detected to ensure the holder is real and their face matches. Your passport can be scanned using the phone's near-field communication (NFC) reader and used to assert biometrics.[2] The user's image with dynamic security features, and an updating QR code are then displayed to people to verify the ID. The date of birth and full name are displayed on the app.[2] Australia Post claims it is acceptable for use to validate the holder's identity.[2] It can be used instead of KeyPass for holders 18 years and older.[2]
The Digital iD website states that it is used by over 50 government and private organisations across a variety of industries and sectors.[2] Launched in 2016, questions were raised as to longevity of the offering after the founder quit,[3] however, continued investment from Australia Post has seen Digital iD become the first industry provider accredited under the federal government’s Trusted Digital Identity Framework (TDIF).[4] Usage of Digital iD is growing, and Keypass in Digital iD is now accepted as proof of age to enter participating licensed venues and to purchase alcohol in Vic, Tas, Qld, ACT and NT (excluding takeaway alcohol in NT).[2]
myGov
editmyGov is a single sign-on service provided by the Australian Government that allows users to link together accounts with other government departments under the one account. It is primarily used for federal government services, however as of January 2025 some state government services have joined the service.
In order for a myGov account to be used with participating services the user must verify their identity using myID.[5]
Some services supported by myGov include:
- Centrelink
- Medicare
- Australian Taxation Office
- Child Support
- Victorian Housing Register
- My Health Record
- National Disability Insurance Scheme
- My Aged Care
- Department of Veterans Affairs'
- Workforce Australia
myGov also integrates with Australia Post MyPost Digital Mailbox to facilitate secure electronic document delivery, as most government departments avoid the use of e-mail to directly deliver private documents.[6]
Digital credentials
editSome states and territories of Australia offer the ability for their residents to add a digital credential onto mobile phones for pre-existing licenses or identity cards. Digital credentials issued by state or territory governments are considered legal documents in Australia.[7]
| State or territory | Issuing authority | Driver's License | Proof of Age Card | Working with Children Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Transport for NSW | Available since 2019[8] | Trial available for select residents in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains[9] | Available |
| QLD | Department of Transport & Main Roads | Available since 2023[10] | Not available | |
| VIC | VicRoads | Available since 2024[11] | Available since 2023 | |
| SA | Department for Infrastructure and Transport | Available since 2017[13] | Not available | |
| NT | No digital credentials available | |||
| WA | ||||
| ACT | ||||
A digital Medicare card is also offered by the federal government through both the myGov and the Express Plus Medicare app. [14]
Digital identity verification services
editIdentity and associated information can be verified a number of ways:
- The Australian Attorney-General's Department provides a Document Verification Service (DVS) that allows for validation of some licences.[citation needed]
- The Australian Attorney-General's Department also provides a bio-metric face verification service[15]
- Visas, identity, and right to work status can be checked online through the Department of Immigration and Border Protection's Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service.[16]
- Some States and territories allow for drivers licences, photo cards and certificates to be validated online e.g. NSW[17] and Victoria.[18]
- Electoral enrollment can be verified electronically, and may help to verify an identity.[19]
- Private companies offer aggregated online identity checking services e.g. Vix Verify[20] and Equifax[21]
- In addition, certain aspects of individuals can be verified digitally - online, such as:
- Working With Children Check to ensure that an individual has cleared the necessary background checks to allow them to work with children. To apply for a check the applicant must physically attend an agency, however the employer can verify the check online, for the duration of employment.[22]
- Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission ACIC allows organisations to provide National Police History Check certificates on ACIC's behalf. Some of these can be obtained online (such as Veritas), and later verified online.[23]
- Some institutions allow the online verification of education qualifications.[24]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Online services".
- ^ a b c d e f "Digital iD™ - ID on Your Phone". www.digitalid.com. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
- ^ "Digital iD founder quits AusPost". InnovationsAus.com. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ "Australia Post secures TDIF accreditation". Retrieved 24 July 2019.
- ^ "Digital ID". myGov. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
- ^ Mandarin, The (2014-08-19). "Australia Post partners with myGov on digital mailbox trial". The Mandarin. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
- ^ "Digital driver licences now acceptable as ID". AUSTRAC. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Address at the Australian Information Industry Association NSW Ministerial Forum: NSW Digital Driver's Licence | Digital NSW". www.digital.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "NSW govt extends digital photo card trial to more than 200 suburbs". iTnews. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Hello digital licence, Goodbye wallet". Ministerial Media Statements. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Major change finally comes to Victorian driver licences". 7NEWS. 2024-05-13. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ Victoria, Business (2023-06-30). "Making it easy to validate a Working with Children Check". Business Victoria. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
{{cite web}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ Services, Consumer and Business (2023-01-16). "Validating digital licences and proof of age passes". Consumer and Business Services. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
{{cite web}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ "How to get a digital card".
- ^ "Face Matching Services". Ag.gov.au. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
- ^ "Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO)". Border.gov.au. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
- ^ "Driver Licence Check". Roads & Traffic Authority. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
- ^ "About the online identity verification - Births, Deaths & Marriages Victoria". Archived from the original on 2017-03-26. Retrieved 2017-03-26.
- ^ "NSW Electoral Verification Facility". Archived from the original on 2017-04-09. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
- ^ "Home - VIX Verify". Vixverify.com. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
- ^ "IDMatrix". Equifax.com.au. 22 May 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
- ^ "Verifying a Check - NSW Office of the Children's Guardian". Kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
- ^ "Verify Police Check - Veritas Check". Veritascheck.com.au. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
- ^ "Online verification of qualifications". Griffith University. Retrieved 13 December 2017.