Police Check Identity (ID) Document Requirements

Index:

• ID documents needed for a police check
• Commencement of identity documents further explained
• Primary use in the community documents further explained
• Secondary use in the community documents further explained

ACIC requires the applicant to provide 4 documents from the 3 categories listed below:

• ONE Commencement of ID Document
• ONE Primary Use in the Community Document
• TWO Secondary Use in the Community Documents

An identity document must only be used once and you must supply all four required documents from the three mandatory categories.

The combination of the identity documents collected must contain the applicant’s:

• full name;
• date of birth; and
• photograph.

In all instances, the combination of identity documents must contain at minimum your full name, date of birth and a photograph.

If you have provided identity documents using a former name, such as a maiden name, you must provide evidence of the name change in addition to the four identity documents.

The nature of the documents in each of the categories is summarised below:

Commencement of ID

ONE (1) is required

• Australian birth certificate or authorised record of birth (not an extract or birth card)
• Australian citizenship certificate
• Australian visa current at time of entry to Australia as a resident or tourist, supported by a foreign passport, which is needed for verification
• ImmiCard issued by Department of Home Affairs that enables the cardholder to prove their visa and/or migration status and enrol in services
• Current Australian passport not expired, (it may be up to 2 years expired)

Primary Use in Community Document

ONE (1) is required

• Current Australian passport not expired, (it may be up to 2 years expired)
• Current Australian drivers licence, learner permit or provisional licence issued by a state or territory, showing a signature and/or photo and the same name as claimed
• ImmiCard issued by Department of Home Affairs that enables the cardholder to prove their visa and/or migration status and enrol in services
• Australian marriage certificate issued by a state or territory (church or celebrant-issued certificates are not accepted)
• Current passport issued by a country other than Australia with a valid entry stamp or visa
• Current proof of age or photo identity card issued by an Australian Government agency in the name of the applicant, with a photo
• Current shooter or firearms licence showing a signature and photo (not minor or junior permit or licence)
• For persons under 18 years of age with no other Primary Use in Community Documents, a current student identification card with a signature or photo.

Secondary Use in Community Document

TWO (2) are required

• Certificate of identity issued by DFAT to refugees and non-Australian citizens for entry to Australia
• Document of identity issued by DFAT to Australian citizens or persons who have the nationality of a Commonwealth country for travel purposes
• Convention travel document secondary (United Nations) issued by DFAT
• Foreign government issued documents (for example, drivers licence)
• Medicare card
• A relationship certificate issued by a state or territory Births, Deaths and Marriages
• Enrolment with the Australian Electoral Commission
• Security guard or crowd control photo licence
• Evidence of right to an Australian Government benefit (Centrelink or Veterans’ Affairs)
• Consular photo identity card issued by DFAT
• Photo identity card issued to an officer by a police force
• Photo identity card issued by the Australian Defence Force
• Photo identity card issued by the Australian Government or a state or territory government (this may take the form of a Working with Children/Vulnerable People Card or a government occupational licence);
• Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC)
• Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC)
• Firearms licence
• Credit reference check
• Australian secondary or tertiary student photo identity document
• Certified academic transcript from an Australian university or a registered higher education provider;
• Trusted referees report
• Bank card, credit card or bank statement (without recording the payment/card number/s)
• Australian tax file number
• State/territory government rates assessment notice or Australian Taxation Office assessment notice;
• Australian utility bill showing name and address;
• Australian private health insurance card;
• Australian trade association card

The primary objective of identity proofing requirements is to establish the applicant's commencement of identity in Australia. For Australian citizens, this is normally demonstrated by a birth certificate. For foreign nationals, this is demonstrated through their documented arrival in Australia.

The Australian Government requires all visitors to Australia to have a valid Australian visa. A visa may be presented in different forms, such as:

• a passport that is stamped;
• an Australian visa;
• a Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) printout is an accepted record of current visa status;
• any valid visa issued by the Department of Home Affairs under the Migration Act 1958, as amended from time to time, to authorise either or both of the following:

  • Travel to and enter Australia; or
  • Remain in Australia.
• written Notification from the Department of Home Affairs as to the applicant’s entry status.

The following documents issued by the Australian Government are also acceptable forms of identity documents for the commencement of identity:

• A Document for Travel to Australia (up to five years from the date of issue on the accompanying visa);
• Evidence of Immigration Status (EIS) ImmiCard;
• Permanent Resident Evidence (PRE) ImmiCard*;
• Residence Determination ImmiCard (RDI)*; or
• Australian Migration Status (AMS) ImmiCard.

*From 1 July 2017 the Australian Government stopped issuing PRE and RDI ImmiCards. Cards issued before 1 July 2017 will be accepted.

Further information can be obtained from the Department of Home Affairs www.homeaffairs.gov.au.

Once it has been satisfied the commencement of identity document requirement, the applicant must provide evidence of their participation in the Australian community as well as linking that evidence to the claimed identity. Linking the proof of identity documents is achieved by presenting a Primary use in the community document that is also a photo identity document and ensuring that the personal details are the same or can be linked to the same identity by providing a linking document to evidence any changes in personal details.

The presentation of an international passport with a current visa as a Primary use in the community document does not prevent an applicant from presenting a current Australian visa as a commencement of identity document.

If an applicant provided an international passport as their Primary use in the community document, and presented an Australian passport as their Commencement document, a current visa would not be required to support the international passport.

A current proof of age or photo identity card may be accepted as a Primary use in the community document if it is issued by an Australian Government agency in the name of the applicant with a photo.

Acceptable photo identity documents include:

• an Australian Government issued ‘photo card’; many states/territories now offer the issue of a photo card to assist people who do not hold a driver’s licence to more conveniently prove their identity;
• an Immicard which is a photo identity card issued by the Department of Home Affairs;
• a Police Force, or Australian Defence Force or an Australian Government agency photo identity card;
• an Australian university or other tertiary institution photo identity card;
• drivers’ licence;
• an Australian passport; or
• a proof of age card.

In addition to the commencement of identity and Primary use in the community documents we require two Secondary use in the community documents. These documents may be issued by a range of professional bodies or institutions and will provide an added level of assurance by further demonstrating the use of the applicant’s identity within the community.

These documents must at a minimum contain the applicant’s full legal name and must not be issued more than 12 months prior to use.

A current proof of age or photo identity card may be accepted as a Secondary use in the community document, if it is issued by an Australian Government or a state or territory government agency in the name of the applicant – with a photo.

Acceptable photo identity documents include:

• an Australian Government issued ‘photo card’; many states/territories now offer the issue of a photo card to assist people who do not hold a driver’s licence to more conveniently prove their identity;
• an Immicard which is a photo identity card issued by the Department of Home Affairs;
• a Police Force, or Australian Defence Force or an Australian Government agency photo identity card;
• an Australian university or other tertiary institution photo identity card;
• drivers’ licence (if not used as a primary document);
• an Australian passport (if not used as a primary document);
• a proof of age card; or
• Keypass ID card issued by Australia Post.

A trusted referee report may be provided by the applicant as a Secondary use in the community document.

Some examples of a trusted source may include a General Practitioner, a pharmacist, or the principal of the applicant’s school.

If the applicant provides identity documents using a former name, such as a maiden name, they must provide evidence of the name change in addition to the four identify documents. This means providing either a:

• change of name certificate issued by the Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages;
• an Australian marriage certificate issued by a state or territory (church or celebrant-issued certificates are not accepted); or
• Deed Poll.
• A relationship certificate issued by a state or territory Births, Deaths and Marriages.

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