Australian state governments are incorporating residents into facial recognition systems, presenting the initiative as an enhancement of convenience.
Australian states have introduced a digital ID system that lets individuals present a driver's licence or passport, which the system authenticates. It then captures a live selfie and compares the image with the photo on the document. Once the verification is successful, users receive a reusable credential for accessing state services online. This process resembles that [1] used by banks to onboard customers remotely. However, the key distinction is that this initiative is managed by the state, which oversees the credentials and determines the scope of its application.
Jihad Dib, who is [2] the NSW Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, told [3] IT News, “So much of our personal information is overshared when we hand over documents, but NSW Digital ID gives you more privacy and control to share only the information you need to.” Greg Wells, who [4] is the managing director of Service NSW also said, “We know how frustrating it can be to find paperwork like birth certificates in a hurry, which is why NSW Digital ID will make proving your identity easy because you only have to prove it once, and in future is intended to work across a range of government services, saving you time and effort.”
The assertion warrants examination; the new system does not simply replace document sharing with a lighter alternative; rather, it substitutes it with biometric enrolment and ongoing credential storage, which is overseen by the government. New South Wales has been gathering biometric and identity data through its programme, [5] which began with the pilot of a digital photo card in 2025. Following this initial effort, holders of the photo card became eligible for the digital ID trial, thereby increasing the number of residents whose facial data is included in the verification database. Each expansion of the programme contributes to the growth of this biometric database.
The system also interfaces with federal records. Agency documentation indicates that identity data submitted during the verification process may be cross-referenced with information held by the Attorney-General’s Department, Services Australia, and Transport for NSW. The practical implementation of the New South Wales system is deliberately limited at its inception. An initial service allows residents to connect a toll account and submit rebate claims online. [6] Individuals aged 16 and older can register by taking a selfie that is verified against authorised documents, such as birth certificates. Access to the system is provided through the MyServiceNSW platform, which operates independently from the federal myID system, [7] which was renamed from myGovID following the [8] passage of the Digital ID Act 2024. NSW has developed its own infrastructure and established its own regulations.
New South Wales is moving toward a reuse model for identity verification. Once residents have completed the identity proofing process, they will not be required to resubmit documents for every interaction with the state. This approach is both logical and convenient. However, it also raises concerns regarding the establishment of a centralized biometric identity system, which could become increasingly difficult for individuals to opt out of as it grows.Queensland is pursuing a similar initiative with a lower emphasis on biometric technology but aiming for broader adoption. The Digital License app currently encompasses mobile driver licenses, marine licenses, and photo ID cards, [9] which are utilized by over 1.2 million residents.
Steve Minnikin, who [10] is the Customer Services Minister said [11] in a statement, “By integrating with the Queensland Digital Licence app, we’re providing professionals with a secure and efficient way to manage their accreditations, ensuring they can focus on their work without worrying about carrying their physical card with them. We are committed to giving Queenslanders more choice on how they access government services, whether they prefer traditional physical cards or wish to go digital. Improving our digital services also provides Queenslanders and especially our young learner drivers, with peace of mind as they can verify that their trainer’s details are up to date and legitimate.”
The state has recently expanded the application to incorporate driver trainer and motorcycle rider trainer accreditations, bringing an additional 105,000 tradespeople onto the platform. Licenses from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission were already part of the offering. Brent Mickelberg, [12] who is the Minister for Transport and Main Roads said, “The expansion of the Digital Licence app to include driver trainers and motorcycle rider trainers makes it easier for them to manage their accreditations securely and convenientl. By bringing these licences into the Digital Licence app, the Crisafulli Government is delivering on its commitment to modernise services for Queenslanders and give professionals more choice in how they interact with government.”