Major driver's licence change for millions of Aussies with new ID verification system
The new system will mean, for example, that you won't have to hand over your driver's licence at every RSL or club you happen to attend.
After a number of high-profile data breaches, and a move by most Australian states to roll out digital driver's licenses as well as a digital ID on the horizon, Australia is about to go one step further to give you better control over how you share your most important personal details. And it means every Aussie will be able to tap into a "world-leading" ID verification system.
That's according to Government Services Minister Bill Shorten who will today tell the National Press Club that Australians will be able to choose how much personal information they share with businesses or services under a form of digital-ID verification called Trust Exchange, or TEx.
It means by the end of the year, Australians will be able to use their smartphones to verify their ID at the highest level, without having to hand over sensitive documents such as a passport or driver’s licence.
The verification system, which isn't duplicating digital ID, could be done through the myGov digital wallet on a mobile phone.
The system is effectively using government data to corroborate your identity, and is expected to be able to be used for things like verifying your age at an RSL, renting accomodation, booking a hotel, applying for jobs or interactions with a bank.
For example, a person starting a new job can use a “verify my identity” tool and then choose what documents to share with their new employer.
"You then have in your wallet a record of sharing, say, your passport and trade certificate with your employer," Mr Shorten will explain in his speech on Tuesday.
The platform will store information such as someone’s date-of-birth, address, citizenship, visa status, qualifications, occupational licences or working with children check, and other information already held by the government. The information will be transferred through a "digital token" which will not contain personal information.
"Whatever the case, online or in person, you choose what is shared, you consent to it being shared and you can trust it is safe," Mr Shorten will say.
"All that has been exchanged has been a digital 'thumbs up' from the government that you are who you say you are."
QR code on phone to replace handing over your driver's licence
It should ultimately mean, for example, that your driver's licence details are not being held by every RSL or club that you happened to attend and thus it should reduce the amount of private data held by businesses that could be targeted by criminals.
"Take the case of someone going to the local RSL and wanting to prove they’re from interstate or that they’re over 18 … they’d just hold their phone up to a QR code or tap-to-pay machine and a digital token will be sent to the club vouching for their identity, address and age," Mr Shorten's speech will say.
"None of that information needs to be kept by the club. The token will be a valuable promise to the club, but of zero value to a cybercriminal."
The program is currently at the "proof-of-concept stage" and is expected to be rolled out towards the end of the year.
with AAP/NCA Newswire
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