Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher

The Albanese Government has released exposure draft Digital ID legislation today to kick off the next stage of work towards creating a national Digital ID system in Australia.

Work on a national Digital ID system began in 2015 and under the current voluntary framework already more than 10.5 million Australians have a Digital ID to access government services.

This allows people with a Digital ID to verify their ID without having to repeatedly provide copies of their most sensitive documents, such as passports, birth certificates and driver licences, for certain online services.

The legislation when passed will move Digital ID to a nationally regulated system which will be accessible across both the public and private sector and will include strong privacy protections. It will establish the ACCC to act as the initial regulator.

The draft bill will:

• Strengthen voluntary Digital ID accreditation
• Provide legislative authority for the Australian Government’s Digital ID System to expand
• Strengthen privacy and consumer protections
• Strengthen governance for Digital ID.

“There has been a lot of discussion about Digital ID but now is the time to make sure the legislation we introduce incorporates the feedback of interested stakeholders. This short exposure draft period will allow that to happen and ensure we stay on track to introduce the final Bill by the end of this year.” Minister Gallagher said.

Consultation on the draft legislation is open now and will close Monday, 9 October 2023.

To have your say on the proposed Digital ID legislation, visit: digitalidentity.gov.au/have-your-say

A factsheet can be found on the Digital Identity website.