About our services
The identity verification services include the:
- Document Verification Service (DVS)
- Face Verification Service (FVS)
- Face Identification Service (FIS)
- National Driver Licence Facial Recognition Solution (NDLFRS).
Document Verification Service (DVS)
The DVS checks whether biographic information such as name and date of birth on an Australian-issued identity document matches the original record. Usually the result is simply ‘yes’ or ‘no’. The DVS does not check facial images.
The DVS makes it harder for people to use fake, changed or stolen identity documents.
The DVS accesses driver licence information through the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System (NEVDIS). This is a separate system operated by Austroads Limited on behalf of all states and territories.
Face Verification Service (FVS)
The FVS operates like the DVS. It compares limited biographic information, but it also compares someone’s facial image against the image on an identity document. An organisation can only use FVS if the person gives express consent.
The FVS:
- makes it easier for people to use government services because they don’t need to visit a shopfront
- provides strong privacy, security and oversight for online biometric identity (facial image) verification
- helps prevent identity theft by making it harder to use stolen identity information.
Face Identification Service (FIS)
The FIS checks a facial image against multiple government records. The FIS can only be used when needed to protect the identity of people who have a legally assumed identity, such as someone in witness protection.
The FIS is not currently operational.
National Driver Licence Facial Recognition Solution (NDLFRS)
The NDLFRS has been built to support the FVS. It centrally stores biometric templates created from facial images provided by states and territories.
With agreement from the states and territories, the NDLFRS will let people use a state or territory driver licence or photo ID, such as a proof of age card, to biometrically verify their identity through the FVS.
State and territory road agencies are gradually providing driver licence photos and related identity information to the NDLFRS. This is done under the authority of state and territory laws that permit this type of information sharing. Western Australia was the first state to provide their data.
The NDLFRS is now operational.
Find out more about how the NDLFRS handles personal information on our For individuals page.
How the services operate securely
The services operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through secure online systems known as hubs.
The hubs securely transmit matching requests between the organisation using the service and the government agency that holds the identity information.
These hubs do not store or keep anyone’s identity information. They only keep transactional data about the requests for a limited time, for auditing purposes.
Types of identity information the DVS and FVS can verify
This table lists the documents that can be verified through the DVS and FVS. Currently the DVS can verify 14 document types and the FVS can verify two.
| Identify information | Document Verification Service (DVS) | Face Verification Service (FVS) |
| Address details from the Australian Electoral Commission1 | Yes | No |
| Aviation and Maritime Security Identification Card | Yes | No |
| Birth certificate | Yes | No |
| Centrelink concession card | Yes | No |
| Certificate of registration by descent | Yes | No |
| Change of name certificate | Yes | No |
| Citizenship certificate | Yes | No |
| Death certificate | Yes | No |
| Driver licence | Yes | Yes2 |
| ImmiCard | Yes | No |
| Marriage certificate | Yes | No |
| Medicare card | Yes | No |
| Passport | Yes | Yes |
| Visa | Yes | No |
- Generally only for Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2024 (Cth) purposes.
- Western Australia driver licences only.
Find out more about real-time availability of DVS documents on our DVS Availability Dashboard.
Where identity data is stored
To protect the original records, government agencies that issue identity documents store information in their own secure systems.
In most cases, the identity verification services access information directly from these government systems.
The exception is driver licence information.
States and territories are providing the Australian Government with driver licence information as part of the NDLFRS. The NDLFRS centrally stores biometric templates created from the facial images provided by states and territories. Each road agency keeps complete control over the facial images and other identity information associated with their driver licences.
The Attorney-General’s Department manages the NDLFRS on behalf of all states and territories.
Who can use the identity verification services
Organisations that want to use the identity verification services must sign and comply with participation agreements and relevant access policies. These outline strong privacy, security and oversight requirements, including getting express consent from people whose identity is being verified.
The DVS is used by more than 3,500 approved government and private sector organisations in Australia and New Zealand.
The FVS is currently open to approved Australian Government agencies and state and territory governments that have a participation agreement.
In the future, private sector organisations will be able to use the FVS if they enter a participation agreement in line with the Identity Verification Services Act 2023.
Use of the services must be reasonable, necessary and proportionate to a user’s functions or activities.
All identity verification services requests and responses are transmitted in an encrypted format. As the operator of the identity verification services, the Attorney-General’s Department cannot view, edit or modify this information, or track anyone’s use of the services.