When you apply for certain occupational licences, you need to provide proof of identity.

You may also need to prove you’re an ACT resident.

Read about acceptable proof of residency.

Typically, you must provide at least 2 forms of identity with your application:

  • At least one form of identification must be a primary proof of identity.
  • One of your documents must include your photograph.

Primary proof of identity

The following documents will be accepted as primary proof of identity.

  • A photographic driver licence issued in Australia (current or expired up to 2 years).
  • An Australian birth certificate (not a Commonwealth certificate and not an extract). If the certificate is not in the same name currently used, appropriate linking documentation such as a marriage certificate is required.
  • Australia passport (current or expired up to 2 years).
  • Overseas passport (current or expired up to 2 years).
  • Australian citizenship certificate or naturalisation certificate.
  • Department of Immigration and Border Protection travel document (valid up to 5 years after issue).
  • Department of Immigration and Border Protection evidence of immigration status (EIS) ImmiCard (valid to date of expiry).
  • Department of Immigration and Border Protection permanent resident evidence (PRE) ImmiCard (valid to date of expiry).
  • Department of Immigration and Border Protection Australian migration status (AMS) ImmiCard (valid to date of expiry).
  • Police Officer photographic identity card (from the ACT only).
  • Australian proof of age card or proof of identity card including NSW photo card (with appropriate security features, showing date of issue by an Authority and is current or expired up to 2 years).

Secondary proof of identity

The following documents will be accepted as secondary proof of identity.

  • Current Medicare card.
  • Current credit card or account card with signature and embossed name from a Bank, Building Society or Credit Union. The card needs to be sighted by Access Canberra staff. Do not submit photocopies.
  • Current student identity document (with photo and/or signature issued by an educational institution).
  • Current Centrelink or Department of Veterans' Affairs concession card.
  • Australian issued security guard or crowd controller licence (with photo).
  • ACT Working with Vulnerable People registration card (current or expired up to 2 years).
  • Australian issued firearm licence (with photo).
  • Current consular photograph identity card issued by Department of Foreign Affairs and trade.
  • Current State, Territory or Commonwealth Government employee photo identity card.
  • Australian Defence Force photo identity card (excluding civilians).
  • ACT Services Access card issued by the ACT Government (for asylum seekers).

Identity evidence for bodies corporate, companies and government agencies

The following documents are accepted as proof of identity for bodies corporate, companies and government organisations. Photocopies of incorporation documents are acceptable. All incorporation registration documents must be current.

OrganisationEvidence requiredRelevant legislationIssued by
CompanyCertificate of registration with ACNCorporations Act 2001Australian securities and Investments Commission
CompanyCurrent extract of the company with ACNCorporations Act 2001Australian securities and Investments Commission
CompanyCertificate of registration of a foreign company with ARBNCorporations Act 2001Australian securities and Investments Commission
Government authoritiesLetterhead authorising registration of the vehicle and quoting the Act under which it was establishedName of the Act if incorporated under legislationThe relevant government authority
Church or religiousWhere incorporated as a company - The certificate of incorporationCorporations Act 2001Australian securities and Investments Commission

Church or religious

Where incorporated under legislation - Letter authorising vehicle registration of the vehicle and quoting the Act under which it was established.Name of the Act incorporated under.To be supplied by the organisation
Church or religiousWhere incorporated under State or Territory legislation as an association - The certificate of incorporation of associationName of the Act incorporated under.Relevant State or Territory government authority
Sporting clubs and non-profitThe certificate of incorporation of associationName of the Act incorporated under.Relevant State or Territory government authority
CooperativesThe certificate of incorporation of cooperativeName of the Act incorporated under.Relevant State or Territory government authority
SchoolsLetterhead authorising vehicle registrationState or Territory Education ActSchool Council State Registration Board
SolicitorsCertificate of incorporationState or Territory Legal Profession ActRelevant State or Territory government authority