For individuals

Why organisations need to verify your identity

Organisations may ask you for proof of identity when you access government services, apply for a bank loan or receive a medical benefit. This is because organisations need to make sure they are helping legitimate customers, and not someone attempting to commit identity crime.

Identity crime is one of the most prevalent crimes in Australia. Approximately 1 in 3 Australians will be a victim of identity crime at some point in their lives. The Identity Verification Services’ design better protects you from identity crime and saves the Australian community a substantial amount of time and money.

The Identity Verification Services can check (with your consent) whether your identity document is valid. They can also help you to reclaim your lost or stolen identification documents faster without the need to re-establish your identity.

By providing organisations with the means to verify your identity documents, the government can provide more services completely online while significantly reducing the risk of identity crime.

Match results

Match results can show if your identity information matches the information that the document issuing organisation has on record.

In most cases, match results will return a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer to verify a record. In more limited cases, a government agency may also request additional information such as your name or photo. This may only happen where the agency has a legal authority to collect this information, and is limited to the protection of shielded persons.

A match result cannot be the sole deciding factor for the organisation when they decide if they will supply you with a benefit or service. In other words, the Identity Verification Services do not make decisions about your identity – that responsibility rests with the user organisation considering all the available information at their disposal.

Information storage

Each government agency that issues your identity documents has its own secure system to store and protect the original record. In most cases, the Identity Verification Services access information direct from these systems.

In the case of driver licence information, the Document Verification Service hub checks your information with the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System (NEVDIS). Austroads Ltd operates NEVDIS on behalf of driver licencing authorities.

Over time, driver licencing authorities will provide facial images from driver licences to the National Driver License Facial Recognition Solution (NDLFRS). The Attorney-General's Department will host the on behalf of the states and territories.

A list of information shared by the Identity Verification Services is available in our privacy statement.

Can the Identity Verification Services be used for mass surveillance?

No. While we understand the concern our services could lead to ‘real-time monitoring’ or ‘live facial recognition’ of people in public places (sometimes referred to as ‘mass surveillance’), the Identity Verification Services cannot be used in this way. The system is deliberately designed not to accept live video feeds, such as CCTV.

It is therefore not possible for private sector organisations (such as operators of stadiums) or local government authorities to use our services to scan a crowd to identify people.

Is information about a driving infringement or demerit points available through the Identity Verification Services?

No. Information about demerit points or previous driving infringements is not available through the Identity Verification Services.

Can I use the Identity Verification Services to certify my documents?

No. An individual cannot use the Identity Verification Services to certify a document.

Get help with a match or incorrect identity information

In rare cases, your individual identity information may fail to match with the original record. This might be because:

• your personal details were entered incorrectly
• the original record is incorrect
• the system was unavailable.

If this is the case, contact the organisation that performed the check. They can:

• talk to you about your identity verification options
• ask us to do a secondary check
• ask the issuer to check the quality of their record.

A match result cannot be the deciding factor for an organisation when they decide to supply you with a benefit or service. The organisation must provide an alternative method of verification.

If you are not satisfied with their response, you can contact the DVS Manager by email at DVS.Manager@ag.gov.au.