Identity documents of Australia

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Australia does not have a national identity card. Although Australia Post, which is government owned, does have a nationwide identity card called a Keypass but it is not accepted everywhere and you may need alternate forms of ID. [1] Various Identity documents of Australia may be used or required to prove a person's identity instead of a national identity card, whether for government or commercial purposes such as:

Contents

Overview

Currently, driver licences, issued by the state and territory authorities, are the most widely used personal identification documents. Driver licences list a person's full name, date of birth, current address and contains a photograph. They can commonly be used for personal identification for various purposes such as obtaining various government permits and documentation (for example, passport or tax file number) as well as for opening bank accounts or applying for credit cards. (See also 100 point check.)

For people who do not drive, the road authorities of the states and territories will issue a "photo card", also called "proof of age card", to people who do not have a driver's licence.

Other identity documents sometimes used include a passport, an official birth certificate, an official marriage certificate, cards issued by government agencies (typically Medicare card), some cards issued by commercial organisations (e.g., a debit or credit card), and utility accounts. Often, some combination of identity documents is required, such as an identity document linking a name, photograph and signature (typically photo-ID in the form of a driver licence or passport), evidence of operating in the community, and evidence of a current residential address.

Proof of citizenship or right to work status on a visa may be required in some cases, such as when applying for a job. [2] In these cases separate photo identity may also be required.

Main Types

There is no consistent standard for verifying identity. For most purposes, an Australian drivers licence or Australian photo card will suffice; however, for more sophisticated transactions (e.g. applying for a passport or opening a bank account), each institution tends to have its own rules.

Some examples of identity documents [3] are:

Primary Identification Documents

The highest category of identity documents that often act as primary validation of identity include:

Secondary Identification Documents

Other documents generally used to enhance an identity check along with primary documents, or used for specific purposes include:

Preference is given to Identity documents showing full name, address and a photo, and documents issued by Australian institutions.

For proof of identity purposes, some of the documents are listed as primary and others secondary. Generally at least one primary and one secondary document is required to prove identity at the time of origination of a new facility or product, along with documents that have a photo and address. Requirements vary from institution to institution, and from time to time. The 100 point check, that gives higher points for photo-ID government documents, and lower points for less reliable identity documents, remains a popular system, but is not ubiquitous.

Photo identity

Primary means of acceptable photo identification includes:

For visitors to Australia:

Some institutions may accept for general purposes other forms of photo identity, such as student identity cards.

Verification

There are cases where it is against the law to use false or fake identity documents. [4] Documents used for identity have security features - training and experience is necessary to properly identify genuine documents from counterfeits especially as the security features of many documents are not published. Increasingly online facilities are available for document verification services and establishing Digital identity in Australia:

For organisations choosing to out-source identity verification, over-the-counter services are available from some providers, such as:

Issues

While it is rare for people to be stopped on the street and asked for identity documents, it was raised in NSW parliament that there are 47 (possibly more) theoretical instances where identity particulars and/or documents need to be supplied to authorities by state law alone. [14] In some cases head covering may need to be removed. [15] In 2016, proposed laws to force bicycle riders in NSW to carry identity were abandoned after public resistance. [16] Drivers must carry a drivers licence, however for most people, while they can be asked for identity (Name and address etc.), failure not to show should generally not result in any breach of law, however they may be refused entry, refused passage, or arrested if there is an associated suspected breach of law (e.g. supplying false details to Police [17] ).

There have been two proposals to introduce ID cards for tax and social security access in Australia: The Australia Card in 1985 by the Hawke Labor Government and the Health and Social Services Access Card in 2006 by the Howard Liberal Government. Although neither card would have been an official compulsory ID card, they were both criticised as leading to de facto ID cards. Ultimately, both proposals failed. On 22 October 2017, Pauline Hanson was reported requesting a new identity card to stop Welfare fraud. [18] It has been suggested that the Australia Card has been delivered gradually over time utilising cooperation of various state and federal government agencies and documents. [19]

New alcohol laws in 2017 require pubs and bars to scan ID documents against a database of people who should be denied alcohol, for which foreign passports and driver licences are not valid. [20]

See also

Related Research Articles

An identity document is any document that may be used to prove a person's identity. If issued in a small, standard credit card size form, it is usually called an identity card, or passport card. Some countries issue formal identity documents, as national identification cards that may be compulsory or non-compulsory, while others may require identity verification using regional identification or informal documents. When the identity document incorporates a person's photograph, it may be called photo ID.

A national identification number, national identity number, or national insurance number or JMBG/EMBG is used by the governments of many countries as a means of tracking their citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents for the purposes of work, taxation, government benefits, health care, and other governmentally-related functions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Identity document forgery</span> Fake IDs and their production

Identity document forgery is the process by which identity documents issued by governing bodies are copied and/or modified by persons not authorized to create such documents or engage in such modifications, for the purpose of deceiving those who would view the documents about the identity or status of the bearer. The term also encompasses the activity of acquiring identity documents from legitimate bodies by falsifying the required supporting documentation in order to create the desired identity.

In the United States, identity documents are typically the regional state-issued driver's license or identity card, while also the Social Security card and the United States Passport Card may serve as national identification. The United States passport itself also may serve as identification. There is, however, no official "national identity card" in the United States, in the sense that there is no federal agency with nationwide jurisdiction that directly issues an identity document to all US citizens for mandatory regular use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Photo identification</span> Identity document that includes a photograph of the holder

Photo identification or photo ID is an identity document that includes a photograph of the holder, usually only their face. The most commonly accepted forms of photo ID are those issued by government authorities, such as driver's licenses, identity cards and passports, but special-purpose photo IDs may be also produced, such as internal security or access control cards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brazilian identity card</span> National identity card of Brazil

The cédula de identidade is the official national identity document in Brazil. It is often informally called carteira de identidade, "RG" or simply identidade in Portuguese. The card contains the name of the bearer, filiation, place of birth, date of birth, signature and thumbprint of the bearer. Other national documents can legally be used as an identity card, such as a federative unit-issued driver's license, passport or, for minors, a birth certificate. Each card has a unique RG number. As of 11 January 2023, the CPF number will be used as the RG number on new identity cards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travel document</span> Identity document issued by a government or international entity

A travel document is an identity document issued by a government or international entity pursuant to international agreements to enable individuals to clear border control measures. Travel documents usually assure other governments that the bearer may return to the issuing country, and are often issued in booklet form to allow other governments to place visas as well as entry and exit stamps into them.

There are several identity documents used in Sweden. None are compulsory by law, meaning that there is no formal penalty for not possessing one. Certified identification cards are issued by the tax agency. The Swedish police issues passports and national identity cards for Swedish citizens. A Swedish driver's license, issued by the transport agency, is also accepted as an identity document. Banks sometimes issue identity cards for established customers or their children.

The 100 point check is a personal identification system adopted by the Australian Government to combat financial transaction fraud by individuals and companies, enacted by the Financial Transactions Reports Act (1988) , which established the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) and which continued in existence under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Voter identification laws</span> Laws requiring proof of identity to vote

A voter identification law is a law that requires a person to show some form of identification in order to vote. In some jurisdictions requiring photo IDs, voters who do not have photo ID often must have their identity verified by someone else or sign a Challenged Voter Affidavit in order to receive a ballot to vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghana Card</span> National identity card of Ghana

The Ghana Card is the national Identity card that is issued by the Ghanaian authorities to Ghanaian citizens – both resident and non-resident, legal and permanent residents of foreign nationals. It is proof of identity, citizenship and residence of the holder. The current version is in ID1 format and biometric. It is issued by the National Identification Authority of Ghana and Regarded as a property of the country as such. In July 2023, through the initiative of the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, new card numbers were issued to newborn babies as part of pilot program to incorporate newborn babies unto the database.

The Lebanese identity card is a compulsory Identity document issued to citizens of the Republic of Lebanon by the police on behalf of the Lebanese Ministry of Interior or in Lebanese embassies/consulates (abroad) free of charge. It is proof of identity, citizenship and residence of the Lebanese citizens.

Biometrics refers to the automated recognition of individuals based on their biological and behavioral characteristics, not to be confused with statistical biometrics; which is used to analyse data in the biological sciences. Biometrics for the purposes of identification may involve DNA matching, facial recognition, fingerprints, retina and iris scanning, voice analysis, handwriting, gait, and even body odor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National identity cards in the European Economic Area</span> Identity cards issued by member states of the European Economic Area

National identity cards are issued to their citizens by the governments of most European Economic Area (EEA) member states, the exceptions are Denmark and Ireland. Ireland however issues a passport card which is a valid document in the EEA and Switzerland. Denmark issues simpler identity cards that are not valid as travel documents. From 2 August 2021, new identity cards are harmonized as a common identity card model replaced the various formats already in use. There are approximately 200 million national identity cards in use in the EU/EEA, including 53 million of the new EU-standard cards. They are compulsory in 15 EEA/EFTA countries, voluntary in 11 countries and in 5 countries they are semi-compulsory. Where the card is compulsory, in some member countries it is required to be carried at all times, while in other countries the mere possession of the card is sufficient.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norwegian identity card</span> National identity card of Norway

The Norwegian identity card, commonly referred to as the national identity card in Norway, is a non-compulsory biometric identity document issued since 30 November 2020. It is one of two official identity documents issued by the Norwegian Police Service, the other being the Norwegian passport. It is only issued to Norwegian citizens, and may indicate citizenship so that it can be used as a travel document facilitating freedom of movement within the European Free Trade Association and the European Economic Area. For travel within the Nordic countries no identity documentation is legally required for Nordic citizens due to the Nordic Passport Union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia Post Keypass identity card</span> Australian identification card

The Australia Post Keypass identity card was a photo identity card issued by Australia Post and can be used by people who do not have an Australian drivers licence or identity photo card, or for those who would prefer not to carry around a passport to prove their identity for safety and/or wear/tear reasons. It can additionally be used in a situation in which multiple proofs of ID are required, such as when opening a bank account. To apply, you must be aged 17 years and 11 months, although you won't be able to use the card until you are 18.

Australian state and territory issued identity photo cards are photo identification cards issued by the States and Territories of Australia. While the drivers license is similar to the photo identity card, the photo identity card is treated separately here.

Digital identity is used in Australia by residents to validate who they are over digital media, such as over the Internet.

Identity documents of India are increasingly used to transact and obtain government benefits in India.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Apply for a Keypass in Digital iD™". auspost.com.au. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  2. 1 2 "Employing legal workers". www.border.gov.au. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  3. ↑ Office, Australian Passports. "Documents that confirm your Australian citizenship and identity". www.passports.gov.au. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  4. ↑ "Lawstuff Australia - Know Your Rights - - Topics - Fake Identification Cards". www.lawstuff.org.au. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  5. ↑ Identity document
  6. ↑ "Driver Licence Check". myrta.com. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  7. ↑ "About the online identity verification - Births, Deaths & Marriages Victoria". Archived from the original on 2017-03-26. Retrieved 2017-03-26.
  8. ↑ "Digital iD". www.digitalid.com. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  9. ↑ "Home - VIX Verify". VIX Verify. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  10. ↑ "IDMatrix". 22 May 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  11. ↑ "Identity checks for property transfers" . Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  12. ↑ "Verification of Identity (VOI) - We Come to You - ZipID". www.zipid.com.au. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  13. ↑ "HOME" . Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  14. ↑ "Laws that authorise police officers to request or require a person to provide their identification particulars" (PDF). ombo.nsw.gov.au.
  15. ↑ "Veils to be removed under identity law". 4 March 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  16. ↑ "NSW backpedals on changes forcing bike riders to carry ID". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 2 December 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  17. ↑ "Lawstuff Australia - Know Your Rights - - Topics - Police". www.lawstuff.org.au. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  18. ↑ "Hanson calls for Australian ID card" . Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  19. ↑ "The Australian Government's identity catch-all". iTnews. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  20. ↑ "This isn't the first time the rules have caused major embarrassment" . Retrieved 28 November 2017.
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