Australian state and territory issued identity photo cards explained
| Document Name: | Australian Photo Card |
| Using Jurisdiction: | States and Territories of  Australia |
| Document Type: | Photo Card |
| Purpose: | Identification |
| Eligibility: | Residents of States and Territories of Australia. Age restrictions may apply depending on state or territory – see article. |
Australian state and territory issued identity photo cards (also known as Proof of Age Cards or by other names) 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.
Summary
While each state and territory has differing rules and laws concerning the issue of these cards, they all have a number of common features. First they are issued by the government of the concerned state or territory to residents of that state or territory. Second, they are voluntary - there is no requirement to hold the card, but there is a fee to obtain the card. Third they are issued by and are closely associated with the state or territorial government agency responsible for the issuing of drivers licences, and are often similar to, produced on the same plastic as, and maintained on the same systems as drivers licences. They universally show the photo of the individual, a signature, and their date of birth. They are all credit card sized. Finally, from 1 March 2017 all states and territories of Australia allow the issue of the card regardless of whether or not the holder has a drivers licence.
The following lists the different cards and the details.
| State or territory | Name of card | Minimum age* | Available to drivers | Validity (years) | Shows Sex | Notes | Cost | Ref |
|---|
| | 18 | Yes | No expiry | No | | $7 | [1] |
| | 16 | Yes | 5 or 10 | No | 10 year validity if over 21 | Variable | [2] |
| | 18 | Yes | 5 | No | | $28 | [3] |
| | 15 | Yes | 10 | No | Applicants will be asked if they want the residential address to be shown on the back of the card. | $77.40 | [4] |
| | 18 | Yes | No expiry | No | Apply online if Driver | $25 | [5] |
| | No Minimum | Yes | 5 | No | | $29 | [6] |
| | 18 | Yes | No expiry | Yes | | $10 | [7] |
| | 16 | Yes | 5 | No | Available with or without address or both | $46.80 | [8] | |
- Minimum age of 18 – some states allow application 1 month early for a delivery/pick up on or after the holder's 18th birthday.
Future purpose
The photo card may become the de facto identity card once drivers licences become electronic,[9] especially as some states such as NSW are encouraging the issue of such cards along with drivers licences at a nominal fee.
Document Verification Service
The Attorney-General's Department provides a document verification service that allows for validation of some licences.[10]
See also
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Proof of Identity cards . Access Canberra . 2017-03-20 . 2018-12-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181224015735/https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/51/~/proof-of-identity-cards . dead .
- Web site: Photo cards. 2017-03-20. 2017-03-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20170308121429/http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/licence/nsw-photo-card.html. live.
- Web site: Apply for NT evidence of age card. 21 January 2021. 20 March 2017. 20 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170320145430/https://nt.gov.au/driving/licences/apply-for-nt-evidence-of-age-card. live.
- Web site: Photo identification card | Licensing. 2017-03-20. 2017-03-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20170320052200/https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/licensing/proof-of-age/. live.
- Web site: Apply for a proof of age card. 2017-03-20. 2017-04-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20170406031555/http://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving-and-transport/drivers-and-licences/proof-of-age-card. live.
- Web site: Service Tasmania Online - Tasmanian Government Personal Information Card . 2017-03-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170320150143/http://www.service.tas.gov.au/personal_information_card/ . 2017-03-20 . dead .
- Web site: Proof of age cards & KeyPass. 31 August 2021. 20 March 2017. 17 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170217202100/https://www4.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/licence-and-permit-types/proof-of-age. live.
- Web site: WA Photo Card. 2017-03-20. 2017-03-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20170320052137/http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/photo-card.asp. live.
- Web site: Digital driver's licences promised for NSW if Mike Baird's government is re-elected. 13 March 2015. 20 March 2017. 22 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161022184710/http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/digital-drivers-licences-promised-for-nsw-if-mike-bairds-government-is-reelected-20150312-142yn3.html. live.
- Web site: Document Verification Service | Attorney-General's Department . 2017-03-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170321081501/https://www.ag.gov.au/RightsAndProtections/IdentitySecurity/Pages/DocumentVerificationService.aspx . 2017-03-21 . dead .
