Everything you need to know about NSW Digital ID
Convenient, secure and private
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Photo verification
Simply take a selfie and it will be matched with a reference photo, such as your driver licence. As soon as the check is successfully completed, the selfie will be destroyed. Learn how photo verification technology works.
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Prove who you are
Use your NSW Digital ID online and in person to verify your identity when completing transactions or accessing government or non-government services.
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Save time and effort
Set it up once and reuse it whenever you want to. It’s very easy to use.
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Keep your details secure
No one else – including the NSW Government – can access your NSW Digital ID. Third parties only see what you allow, when you allow.
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Control over your personal details
Your privacy is in your hands. You decide what to share, when and with whom.
How to create your NSW Digital ID
When NSW Digital ID is ready for general availability, the process will be very quick and simple.
To set up your NSW Digital ID, we will first need to check that you are who you say you are.
1
Login to your Service NSW mobile app (or download if you don’t already have the app installed).
2
Verify your identity using two or more identity documents, such as your driver licence and Medicare card.
3
Take a selfie, which will be verified against your government issued documents, such as your driver licence.
4
A confirmation code will be sent to your mobile number.
That’s it! Your NSW Digital ID will be created and ready for use.
Choose an identity proofing level
When you create your NSW Digital ID, you'll be asked what strength identity you want.
Different services require different levels of identity strength to prove who you are, you will choose from:
- Standard will be a verification based on identity documents only
- Strong will be a verification based on identity documents as well as facial verification. Strong ID will allow you to complete more government based transactions online.
Increasing your digital identity proofing level
- Services that have a higher level of identity risk, like applying for a tax file number, will require a stronger digital identity.
- If you have created a Standard proofing level and you want to access a service that requires a Strong proofing level, you will need to increase the strength within your NSW Digital ID.
For more information, please visit the Australian Government’s Digital Identity website.
Have further questions?
A digital identity is a way to prove your identity in a safe and secure way when accessing services or completing transactions online or in-person. A digital identity removes the need to prove your identity through face-to-face interactions and by using physical identity documents.
To set up your NSW Digital ID, two or more identity documents, such as your driver licence and Medicare card, will be required as well as your mobile number and email address. Photo verification will be used for the NSW Digital ID, which requires you to take a selfie to match against your existing photo.
The selfie is not stored by Service NSW and will be discarded as soon as your NSW Digital ID is set up. This will create and activate your NSW Digital ID. It’s a very simple and quick process.
myGovID, which is handled by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), verifies your identity for access to Australian government services, rather than having to be verified individually by each government entity. These services include Centrelink, Tax, Medicare, National Disability Insurance Scheme and Australian Business Number.
The NSW Digital ID will allow you to prove your identity with not only government organisations, but also with businesses without having to disclose additional personal information, such as your driver licence or Medicare numbers. This will take the hassle out of registering and applying for things you need – accessing government services, applying for a new bank account, changing utility providers, enrolling your kids in school and more.
To set up your NSW Digital ID you will need the Service NSW mobile app. In future, there will be options to create via a web browser or at a Service NSW service centre. However, your NSW Digital ID will be able to be used to prove your identity through your mobile app, web browser, or in person at a physical location.
The NSW Government and the Australian Government are working closely together to explore adoption of a national Digital Identity ecosystem, which will enable the use of NSW Digital ID outside of NSW. When in operation, a nationally consistent approach will provide a seamless experience when transacting with government and businesses at all levels.
NSW Digital ID is simple enough for anyone to use. It will provide greater accessibility, particularly for customers with disability, are time poor, or live in rural or regional areas. This puts all our customers at the centre of their digital identity and credentials. But it is completely optional whether you choose to use it or not.
Yes. Using NSW Digital ID is completely optional. It won’t replace the paper versions of your credentials and cards, but it will give you a more convenient option to help prove your identity online and in-person.
You will be able to use your NSW Digital ID with participating government organisations and commercial businesses, such as banks, utility providers, etc. We’re working hard to bring as many partners on board as possible to make this a truly valuable service once it is generally available.