You need to prove your identity (ID) for most driver licensing and vehicle registration transactions.

You can do this by providing your ACT driver licence or full proof of identity documents.

To provide your full proof of identity you must provide a minimum of three identity documents. At least one of these must be a Primary proof of identity document.

For some vehicle-related or driver licensing transactions you also need to prove you live in the ACT.

Read about proof of residency.

Proof of identity for individuals

There are 2 levels of accepted proof of identity documents:

  • Primary proof of identity
  • Secondary proof of identity.

Primary proof of identity

The following documents are accepted as primary proof of identity.

  • A photographic Driver Licence issued in Australia and current or expired up to 2 years (NSW Digital Driver Licence may be accepted).
  • Australian Birth Certificate (not a Commemorative Certificate or extract). If the certificate is not in your current name, you’ll need to supply linking documentation such as a Marriage Certificate.
  • Australian 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 Home Affairs Travel document valid up to 5 years after date of issue.
  • Department of Home Affairs Evidence of Immigration Status (EIS) ImmiCard valid to date of expiry.
  • Department of Home Affairs Permanent Resident Evidence (PRE) ImmiCard valid to date of expiry.
  • Department of Home Affairs Australian Migration Status (AMS) ImmiCard valid to date of expiry.
  • Current Police Officer Photo Identity Card issued in the ACT only.
  • Australian Proof of Age Card, Proof of Identity Card or NSW Photo Card with appropriate security features that display the date of issue by the Authority and current or expired up to 2 years.

Secondary proof of identity

The following documents are 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. These need to be sighted by Access Canberra staff, do not submit photocopies.
  • Current Student Identity Document with photograph and signature issued by an educational institution.
  • Current Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs Concession Card.
  • KeyPass Identity Card issued by Australia Post, current or expired up to 2 years.
  • Security Guard or Crowd Controller Identity Card with photograph issued by an Australian state or territory, current or expired up to 2 years.
  • Firearm Licence with photograph issued by an Australian State or Territory current or expired up to 2 years.
  • Current Consular Identity Card with photograph issued by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
  • Current state, territory or federal Government employee identity card with photograph.
  • Current Australian Defence Force Identity Card with photograph.
  • Current ACT Government Services Access Card.
  • Working with Vulnerable People Registration Card, current or expired up to 2 years.
  • ACT High Risk Work Licence, current or expired up to 2 years.

Proof of identity for businesses

The following documents will be accepted as proof of identity for body corporate, companies and government organisations.

You can provide photocopies of these documents however all documents must be current.

OrganisationEvidence requiredRelevant legislationIssued by
Company
  • Certificate of registration with ACN
  • Current extract of the company with ACN
  • Certificate of Registration of a Foreign Company with ARBN
Corporation LawASIC
Government Authorities:
Agencies and Departments
Letterhead authorising registration of the vehicle and quoting the Act under which establishedName of the Act if incorporated under legislationTo be supplied by Government Authority
Church / Religious Organisation:
Incorporated as a company by ASIC;
Incorporated under Legislation;
OR
Under State Associations Incorporation Act
  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • Letter authorising vehicle registration and quoting the Act under which established
  • Certificate of Incorporation of Association
  • Corporations Law
  • Name of the Act if incorporated under Legislation
  • The applicable Associations Incorporation Act
  • ASIC
  • To be supplied by religious organisation
  • Department of Fair Trading or Department of Consumer and Business Affairs
Sporting club or
Non-profit Organisation
The certificate of incorporation of associationThe applicable Associations Incorporation ActDepartment of Fair Trading or Department of Consumer and Business Affairs
Co-operative SocietyCertificate of IncorporationThe applicable Co-operatives ActDepartment of Fair Trading or Department of Consumer and Business Affairs
Schools
State and Private
Letterhead authorising vehicle registrationThe applicable Education ActSchool Council
State Registration Board
Legal PractitionerCertificate of IncorporationThe applicable Legal Profession ActDepartment of Fair Trading or Department of Consumer and Business Affairs

Authority to Act as an Agent

In some cases, an agent can complete a transaction on behalf of someone else.

You can do this if:

  • you're an individual and unable to complete a transaction yourself
  • you're a business.

Once you've nominated an agent they'll be able to complete a transaction for you or your business. If you need them to complete another transaction you'll need to nominate them again.

How to nominate an agent

You'll need to complete the Authority to Act as an Agent (PDF 156KB) form and provide it to Access Canberra.

You can submit the form to Access Canberra when completing the transaction. You can do this by contacting Access Canberra or attending an Access Canberra Service Centre.

For individuals

You'll need to provide:

  • a copy of your Driver Licence or full Proof of Identity
  • an original primary proof of identity document for the agent
  • a completed Authority to Act as an Agent form or Authorisation Letter.

For businesses

If the agent is acting on behalf of an organisation or company, the agent must provide:

  • an original primary proof of identity documentation for the agent
  • an Authority to Act as an Agent (PDF 156KB) or Authorisation letter containing the company letterhead.

Authorised Representatives

You can nominate a representative to complete transactions on your behalf.

You can do this if:

  • you're an individual and can't complete the transactions yourself
  • you're a business.

Authorised representatives can complete various transactions, including financial transactions. You can apply to have up to five representatives act on your behalf.

Once a representative has been nominated, they can act on your behalf indefinitely. If you'd like to remove an authorised representative contact Access Canberra.

How to nominate a representative

You'll need to compete the Authorised Representatives (PDF 236KB) form and provide it to Access Canberra.

You can submit the form to Access Canberra when completing a transaction. You can do this by contacting Access Canberra or attending an Access Canberra Service Centre.

For individuals

You or the nominated representative must provide:

  • a copy of primary proof of identity documentation for all authorised representatives
  • a completed Authorised Representatives form signed by the applicant
  • a copy of the applicant's Driver Licence or full Proof of Identity.

For businesses

You or the nominated representative must provide:

  • a copy of primary proof of identity documentation for Authorised Representative/s
  • a completed Authorised Representatives form
  • an authorisation letter containing the company letterhead from the organisation or company Director or authorised person. You must provide evidence of Directorship or authority.

Examples of evidence include:

  • a business card
  • a full ASIC certificate containing evidence of Directorship
  • written confirmation on the company/organisation's behalf.

Once a business nominates an authorised representative they'll be able to update the businesses contact details on the Access Canberra website, including the businesses:

  • physical address
  • postal address
  • email address
  • phone numbers.

Please note businesses authorised representatives:

  • must have a primary proof of identity
  • will be listed on all applicable Registration Renewal notices
  • only current and accurate as per the date of issue of each notice.

To add, remove or update an authorised representative contact Access Canberra.