Verify your identity online

Proving your identity online is the easiest and fastest way to apply for services online using Service Victoria. You’ll need to do this using your phone.

What you'll need

• identity documents – your name must match on each document.
• a smartphone for the ID check.

Identity documents you'll need

You’ll need to give us at least 2 ID documents with 1 being a photo ID.

If you don’t have at least 1 photo ID, then you’ll have to use an identity referee. Learn more further down this page.

We need at least 1 of the following:

• Australian passport — current or expired less than 3 years
• Foreign passport — linked to a valid Australian visa
• Australian birth certificate
• Australian citizenship certificate
• ImmiCard

And 1 of the following:

• Australian passport — if it wasn't your first document
• Medicare card
• Australian driver licence or learner permit

The names on your documents must match. If you’ve changed your name, you’ll need to provide:

• marriage certificate
• change of name certificate

Verifying your identity

Watch a short video about our online ID checking process

 

Verifying your identity using an identity referee

If you’re only able to provide ID without a photo, you’ll be able to use an identity referee. An identity referee is a person that you choose, who can confirm who you are who you say you are. You should only do this process if you don’t have photo ID to verify your identity with Service Victoria. This process is entirely online.

The person you choose must be:

• 18 or older
• someone you’ve known for at least 12 months
• isn’t related to you
• isn’t in a relationship with you.
• not someone you live with

How we use your info

We need to collect identity info from you so that we can create an identity for you. We don’t store copies of your documents. We won’t use your info for any other purpose unless permitted by law.

You can contact us us if you want to access your personal info.

Learn more about how we use your info on the FAQ tab.

Your phone

How it works

1. We’ll send you a link by SMS.

2. Copy and paste the link into the right browser.

If you're using an Apple iOS device you must use Safari.

If you're using an Android device you must use Chrome, Opera or the Samsung Internet browser.

3. We’ll check to make sure your browser and operating system are compatible.

For iPhones

• iPhone 6s or newer
• iOS15 or above

For Androids

• a phone newer then 6 years
• OS 6.0 or newer

What is identity verification?

We need to verify your identity when you apply for some government services and products. If you save your identity, you can use it whenever you need it.

How does this help me?

If you verify your identity, you don't need to confirm it every time you reuse it through Service Victoria.

How long does it take to get?

Verifying your identity takes about 15 minutes.

How much does it cost?

It’s free to verify your identity.

How long is my identity verified for?

You can re-use your identity for 10 years. You can cancel and delete your saved identity any time.

How can I update my details?

You can verify your identity again if your details change.

What’s an identity referee and how do I use it?

If you’re only able to provide non-photo ID, you can opt to use an identity referee. An identity referee is a person you choose, who can confirm you are who you say you are. You’ll still have to provide us with at least 2 types of non-photo ID.

If you confirm that you don’t have a suitable photo ID before you verify your identity online, we may offer you the option to use and identity referee. From there you’ll be able to choose someone to confirm your identity.

To learn more about using an identity referee, go to the identity referee info page.

How do we use your info?

To verify your identity, Service Victoria will ask you for details from your ID documents and for you to take images with your phone.

We’ll use this to create a digital identity for you under the Service Victoria Act 2018. We’ll store some details including your verified name, date of birth and selfie image. We don’t store copies of your ID documents. We won’t use your info for any other purpose unless permitted by law.

When you apply for permission or use our services in the future, you can choose to use your saved identity. If you do, we may share your saved details with another department or agency.

You don’t to need create an ongoing digital identity. It’s your choice. You can wait to verify your ID on a one-off basis when you need to access our services.

You can contact Service Victoria if you want to access your information. To learn more about how we handle your info, see our Privacy and Security.