Digital identity
A digital identity is information used by computer systems to represent an external agent – a person, organization, application, or device. Digital identities allow access to services provided with computers to be automated and make it possibl ...
in
Australia is used by residents to validate who they are over digital media, such as over the
Internet
The Internet (or internet) is the global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a '' network of networks'' that consists of private, pub ...
.
While many organisations use their own mechanisms, increasingly, aggregated digital identities are in use. Many Australian organisations leverage popular ubiquitous Internet identities such as those provided by
social login
Social login is a form of single sign-on using existing information from a social networking service such as Facebook, Twitter or Google, to sign into a third party website instead of creating a new login account specifically for that website. It ...
services including
Facebook
Facebook is an online social media and social networking service owned by American company Meta Platforms. Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with fellow Harvard College students and roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Mosk ...
,
Google
Google LLC () is an American Multinational corporation, multinational technology company focusing on Search Engine, search engine technology, online advertising, cloud computing, software, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, ar ...
,
Twitter
Twitter is an online social media and social networking service owned and operated by American company Twitter, Inc., on which users post and interact with 280-character-long messages known as "tweets". Registered users can post, like, and ...
and
LinkedIn
LinkedIn () is an American business and employment-oriented online service that operates via websites and mobile apps. Launched on May 5, 2003, the platform is primarily used for professional networking and career development, and allows job se ...
to perform the following functions:
*
Single sign-on
Single sign-on (SSO) is an authentication scheme that allows a user to log in with a single ID to any of several related, yet independent, software systems.
True single sign-on allows the user to log in once and access services without re-enterin ...
to help users avoiding creating new user names and passwords for each site.
* To provide some basic validation of identity
* To provide some integration, especially with social media, e-mail and contacts
* To identify the natural person behind a transaction for statutory purposes such as a monetary transfer
In addition to these services, in order to validate identities in Australia additional services are used, such as government, and bank digital identities.
SIM as Digital identity
The use of a
mobile phone
A mobile phone, cellular phone, cell phone, cellphone, handphone, hand phone or pocket phone, sometimes shortened to simply mobile, cell, or just phone, is a portable telephone that can make and receive calls over a radio frequency link whi ...
SIM as a Digital identity in Australia provides some level of validation of the digital identity of the holder. Validation of the holder can be done by sending them an
SMS
Short Message/Messaging Service, commonly abbreviated as SMS, is a text messaging service component of most telephone, Internet and mobile device systems. It uses standardized communication protocols that let mobile devices exchange short text ...
to their phone number. The advantage of this mechanism is:
* SIMs are generally unique
* The mobile phone number is known to the holder, and often the trusting organisation, and used as the contact of the customer
* The mobile phone generally is carried by the person wherever they go
* There is a high penetration of mobile phones in Australia, in 2015 covering almost 80% of individuals
* There are some identity requirements in obtaining a SIM, so there can be a level of certainty that the holder is a known natural person, and resident (or temporary resident) of Australia even if the plan is Prepaid
For this reason the mobile phone is often used as a primary or
second-factor validation of identity on Australian digital services.
myGov
''myGov'' is a service provided by the
Government of Australia that provides a strong level of validation of digital identity. It is used primarily for Government (including some state Government) and semi-Government services such as:
*
Centrelink
The Centrelink Master Program, or more commonly known as Centrelink, is a Services Australia master program of the Australian Government. It delivers a range of government payments and services for retirees, the Unemployment, unemployed, f ...
for social welfare applications and payments
*
Medicare for health care
*
Australian Taxation Office
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is an Australian statutory agency and the principal revenue collection body for the Australian Government. The ATO has responsibility for administering the Australian federal taxation system, superannuatio ...
to enable online tax returns
* Child Support
* Victorian Housing Register
* My Health Record for
Electronic Health Records
An electronic health record (EHR) is the systematized collection of patient and population electronically stored health information in a digital format. These records can be shared across different health care settings. Records are shared throu ...
*
National Disability Insurance Scheme
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a scheme of the Australian Government that funds costs associated with disability. The scheme was legislated in 2013 and went into full operation in 2020. The scheme is administered by the Na ...
* My Aged Care
*
Department of Veterans Affairs' online facilities
* Australian Job Search (government job search network)
myGov also integrates with
Australia Post MyPost Digital Mailbox to facilitate secure electronic document delivery, as most government departments avoid the use of e-mail to directly deliver private documents.
myGov logins also support a number of other login services, especially in government.
A myGov account can be created without the use of identity documentation, so it is possible to create an account without a valid natural person. However, as services are added, access to private information, such as documents or identity that should only be known by the individual concerned, is required, making the identity stronger. Many services require a second factor of authentication – SMS via a SIM based mobile phone number as mentioned above.
myGovID
Separate from myGov,
myGovID is a digital ID component, that allows a form of
Second Factor Authentication to Government websites through a mobile app. A user attempts a login online using their email, a pin is generated, and the user types the online pin into their mobile app, and online login can be completed.
The myGovID application supports government departments building their own websites, and does not require the single portal access of myGov.
Australia Post Digital iD
''Digital iD'' by Australia Post is a smart phone based app that allows users to create and validate their ID against the Australian Government Document Verification Service (DVS) and then use it as a primary ID system online and in person.
Users can use their Passports, Drivers Licenses or
Medicare Card to assert and confirm ID online. A photo is taken, and head movement is detected to ensure the holder is real and their face matches. Your passport can be scanned using the phone's
near-field communication
Near-field communication (NFC) is a set of communication protocols that enables communication between two electronic devices over a distance of 4 cm (1 in) or less. NFC offers a low-speed connection through a simple setup that can be u ...
(NFC) reader and used to assert
biometrics
Biometrics are body measurements and calculations related to human characteristics. Biometric authentication (or realistic authentication) is used in computer science as a form of identification and access control. It is also used to identify i ...
.
The user's image with dynamic security features, and an updating QR code are then displayed to people to verify the ID. The date of birth and full name are displayed on the app.
[ Australia Post claims it is acceptable for use to validate the holder's identity.][ It can be used instead of KeyPass for holders 18 years and older.][
The Digital iD website states that it is used by over 50 government and private organisations across a variety of industries and sectors.] Launched in 2016, questions were raised as to longevity of the offering after the founder quit, however, continued investment from Australia Post has seen Digital iD become the first industry provider accredited under the federal government’s Trusted Digital Identity Framework (TDIF). Usage of Digital iD is growing, and Keypass in Digital iD is now accepted as proof of age to enter participating licensed venues and to purchase alcohol in Vic, Tas, Qld, ACT and NT (excluding takeaway alcohol in NT).[
]
Online Banking
Online Banking in Australia requires digital identification. As in other jurisdictions, access to bank accounts statements and making payments are the primary services available. In addition to these, it is possible to access documents (almost exclusively bills) from other corporations online using ''BPAY
BPAY, (BPAY Group Holding Pty Ltd), is an Australian electronic bill payment SaaS company which facilitates payments made through a financial institution's online, mobile or telephone banking facility to organisations which are registered BPAY b ...
View''. Over 300 billers are supported via this mechanism.
For some transactions multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA; encompassing two-factor authentication, or 2FA, along with similar terms) is an electronic authentication method in which a user is granted access to a website or application only after successfully presenting ...
is required. Normally this is a password in combination with a code sent via SMS or in some cases, especially for business customers, a bank-issued security token
A security token is a peripheral device used to gain access to an electronically restricted resource. The token is used in addition to or in place of a password. It acts like an electronic key to access something. Examples of security tokens inc ...
.
Most online banking services, especially if accessing an account requires the holder to complete stringent identity requirements sometimes in a bank branch. This ensures the quality of the identity.
The four major online banking
A bank is a financial institution that accepts deposits from the public and creates a demand deposit while simultaneously making loans. Lending activities can be directly performed by the bank or indirectly through capital markets.
Becau ...
sites in Australia are:
* ANZ Bank
* Commonwealth Bank
* National Australia Bank
* Westpac
Westpac Banking Corporation, known simply as Westpac, is an Australian multinational banking and financial services company headquartered at Westpac Place in Sydney, New South Wales.
Established in 1817 as the Bank of New South Wales, ...
State Government Services
Some States and territories of Australia offer access points to Government services in those states, and require a digital identity to access these services.
Service NSW
Service NSW is a New South Wales Government executive agency within the Department of Customer Service that provides a one-stop access to government services via online, phone or in-person at its service centres. The agency is the single point ...
is an example - an account can be created without any verifiable identity, however as services (such as Transport for NSW
Transport for NSW, sometimes abbreviated to TfNSW, and pronounced as Transport for New South Wales, is an agency of the New South Wales Government established on 1 November 2011, and is the leading transport and roads agency in New South Wales, ...
) are added, private details need to be accessible, increasing the validity of the identity.
The South Australian government has made several digital licences available via the mySA GOV app (Driver's licence, Proof of Age Card etc).
NSW also provides some licences online.
As at 2020, Queensland's Department of Transport & Main Roads
The Department of Transport and Main Roads, known often as TMR, is a department of the Queensland Government, formed in April 2009 with the merger of the Queensland Transport and the Department of Main Roads. The department manages Queensland ...
was trailing a digital license in the Fraser Coast Region
The Fraser Coast Region is a local government area in the Wide Bay–Burnett region of Queensland, Australia, about north of Brisbane, the state capital. It is centred on the twin cities of Hervey Bay and Maryborough and also contains Fraser ...
.
Tax file number
The Australian ''Tax file number (TFN)'' is a 9 digit identity document issued to tax payers. There is no card or official identity document in popular use that shows this number and strict rules on its use means that it is not required to be provided, and there is no practical way a non government entity to verify the holder against the number. It is therefore not an effective widespread digital identity (unlike the US Social Security number). However it is used to digitally identify tax paying entities behind transactions via financial institutions when the number has been disclosed. Failure to disclose the tax file number can draw attention to the transaction and/or result in tax being withheld, so it is used for specific purposes.
Digital identity verification services
Identity and associated information can be verified a number of ways:
* The Australian Attorney-General's Department provides a Document Verification Service (DVS) that allows for validation of some licences.
* The Australian Attorney-General's Department also provides a bio-metric face verification service
*Visas, identity, and right to work status can be checked online through the Department of Immigration and Border Protection
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) was a department of the Government of Australia that was responsible for immigration, citizenship and border control (including visa issuance). It has now been subsumed into the Depart ...
's Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service.
* Some States and territories allow for drivers licences, photo cards
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 id ...
and certificates to be validated online e.g. NSW and Victoria.
* Electoral enrollment can be verified electronically, and may help to verify an identity.
* Private companies offer aggregated online identity checking services e.g. Vix Verify and Equifax
* In addition, certain aspects of individuals can be verified digitally - online, such as:
** Working With Children Check
The Working With Children Check (WWCC) is an Australian background check requirement, assessing the criminal record of those working or volunteering in child-related work. The check is known as the WWCC (or WWC) in most states and territories. The ...
to ensure that an individual has cleared the necessary background checks to allow them to work with children. To apply for a check the applicant must physically attend an agency, however the employer can verify the check online, for the duration of employment.
** Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) is a law enforcement agency established by the Australian federal government on 1 July 2016, following the merger of the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) and CrimTrac. It has specialist ...
ACIC allows organisations to provide National Police History Check certificates on ACIC's behalf. Some of these can be obtained online (such as Veritas), and later verified online.
** Some institutions allow the online verification of education qualifications.
See also
*Identity documents of Australia Australia does not have a national identity card. Instead, various documents may be used or required to prove a person's identity, whether for government or commercial purposes such as:
* International and domestic travel
* Starting a job with a ...
References
External links
myGov Australian Government login
Service NSW Home page
MyPost Digital Mailbox - Australia Post
DVS - Australian Government Document Verification Service
{{Australian Identity Documents
Identity documents of Australia
E-government in Australia