Government of Western Australia DL49

Department of Transport

Your Secure Identity

Meeting proof of identity requirements for initial applications
The Department of Transport (DoT) is committed to safeguarding your identity through secure
information management and personal identification systems.
In addition to their intended purpose, learner’s permit and driver’s licence cards are widely accepted as a form of
identification and can be used to obtain passports, credit cards and bank loans. It is therefore important that DoT
secures the identities of its card holders and maintains the authenticity of customer’s images and personal details
in our database.
DoT uses a biometric facial recognition system to protect identities, improve the security and integrity of licence
and Photo Cards and help detect potential identity fraud. The facial recognition system makes it difficult for
people to obtain a fraudulent Western Australian (WA) driver’s licence or Photo Card and prevents people from
holding more than one licence card.
Proof of identity for your initial application
To uphold DoT’s commitment of secure identities for the WA community, you must supply a number of documents
as proof of your identity when first applying for a driver’s licence or Photo Card.
A combination of five original documents must be presented to verify your full name, date of birth and current
residential address*. To assist you, there are two options for the combination of documents you must provide:

Combination 1 Combination 2

*Note: this does not apply to existing WA Photo Card, learner’s permit or driver’s licence
holders who have previously met these proof of identity requirements.

Category A: Establishment of identity Category B: Link between identity and person

ˆ Original Australian birth certificate (not an extract) ˆ WA driver’s licence or learner’s permit card that
issued by an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths displays the holder’s photo and signature. This
document must be current or not have expired by
and Marriages (RBDM). Commemorative certificates more than five years.
will not be accepted. ˆ Australian driver’s licence or learner’s permit card
not issued in WA that displays the holder’s photo
ˆ Australian citizenship or naturalisation and signature. This document must be current or not
documentation issued by Department of Home have expired by more than two years and cannot be
Affairs (DHA) or Department of Foreign Affairs and cancelled, inactive or refused.
Trade (DFAT). ˆ Australian passport not expired by more than two
years.
ˆ Australian visa (supported by an overseas passport). ˆ Overseas passport that is current (expired passports
ˆ Australian Migration Status (AMS) ImmiCard issued will not be accepted).
ˆ Consular photo identity card issued by DFAT.
by DHA.
ˆ WA Photo Card. This document must be current or
ˆ Evidence of Immigration Status (EIS) ImmiCard not have expired by more than five years.
issued by DHA. ˆ WA photographic firearms identification card.
ˆ Permanent Residence Evidence (PRE) ImmiCard ˆ Document of Identity issued by DFAT.
issued by DHA prior to 1 July 2017. ˆ Maritime Security Identity card (cannot be expired).
ˆ Aviation Security Identification card (cannot be
ˆ Residence Determination ImmiCard (RDI) issued by expired).
DHA prior to 1 July 2017. ˆ Secondary Identification Statutory Declaration
(E41) form. A parent must attend with their child
ˆ Document for Travel to Australia (DFTTA) issued by and present their current driver’s licence for identity
the Australian Government. verification if submitting this form.
The information contained in this publication is provided in good faith and believed to be accurate at time of publication 02.10.2024. The State shall in no
way be liable for any loss sustained or incurred by anyone relying on the information.
 Category C: Evidence of identity in community
ˆ Australian EFTPOS or credit card that is current. ˆ Photographic Police or Australian Defence Force
ˆ Australian bank statement or letter, less than six identification card (excludes civilian cards).
months old. ˆ WA working with children card.
ˆ Australian utilities account or notice, such as a ˆ Australian Keypass identity card.
gas, water, electricity or telephone bill, less than six ˆ WA Recreational Skipper’s Ticket.
months old.
ˆ Employee photo identity card issued by state/territory
ˆ Australian Tax Office: or commonwealth government.
• Tax File Number Letter (original); or ˆ Australian Defence Force discharge papers, less than
• Tax Notice of Assessment Letter (original). 12 months old.
ˆ Official document or letter from a government agency ˆ Student photographic identification issued in WA.
showing residential address, less than six months old. ˆ School report, certificate of accomplishment or
ˆ Residential tenancy agreement that is current and enrolment issued by a secondary school in WA, less
shows residential address. than 12 months old.
ˆ Electoral enrolment letter showing residential ˆ WA Keys for Life certificate issued in WA, less than
address, less than two years old. two years old.
ˆ Centrelink or Department of Veteran Affairs health ˆ Australian RBDM issued marriage or change of name
care or pensioner concession card (cannot be certificate. Commemorative certificates will not be
expired). accepted.
ˆ Medicare card (cannot be expired). ˆ Divorce certificate issued by a relevant Australian
ˆ WA Seniors card. Court.
ˆ WA vehicle licence (registration paper). ˆ Certificate of Achievement (DL20) issued by an
authorised organisation.
ˆ WA Proof of Age card.
ˆ Australian Capital Territory Proof of Identity Card. Category D: Evidence of residential address
ˆ New South Wales Photo Card. ˆ Letter from current employer showing residential
ˆ Northern Territory Evidence of Age Card. address, less than six months old.
ˆ Tasmanian Personal Information Card. ˆ Written correspondence from a recognised
ˆ Queensland Photo Identification Card. educational institution less than 12 months old.
ˆ South Australian Proof of Age Card. ˆ Letter from Driving Access and Equity Program
organisations showing residential address.
ˆ Victorian Proof of Age Card.
ˆ Marine licence indicator card. Note: A document listed in category B or C containing
ˆ Worksafe high risk work card. your current residential address is an acceptable
document for category D, as long as that document has
ˆ Dangerous goods security card.
not already been used to satisfy category B or C.
ˆ Security guard/crowd control licence.

Proof of identity for licensing transactions Photo capture guidelines

To safeguard your identity, you may be required to supply To support our facial recognition system and assist in
a combination of documents from categories A-D when having a clear and accurate scan of your face.
completing transactions with us. This is to verify your Please note the following when having your photo taken:
details with those we have in our database. The documents • must remove glasses*;
required will depend on the transaction you are completing. • cannot wear facial coverings under any
You can visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/poi to see which circumstances;
documents you need to provide.
• head coverings such as hats or caps must be
Document guidelines removed;
• All documents must be originals - certified • facial piercings (such as lip, nose and eyebrow) are
photocopies will not be accepted. acceptable provided they do not cause a reflection
• One of the documents presented must contain your in the photograph; and
signature (may not be required for WA Photo Card). • head dress attire worn for medical, religious or
• The name on your documents must be the same or cultural purposes does not need to be removed, as
you must provide evidence of change of name that long as your face is clearly visible.
clearly shows the link between your birth name and *The condition ‘S’ will still appear on the back of driver’s
current name. licence cards for drivers who require visual aids when
Protection of privacy driving.
Your personal driver’s licence information, photograph, and Contact
vehicle licence information may be used, or disclosed to a Department of Transport
third party, where authorised under ‘road law’ (as defined in Driver and Vehicle Services
the Road Traffic (Administration) Act 2008), Commonwealth GPO Box R1290
law or in compliance with a Court Order issued within Perth WA 6844
Australia. Your personal details may also be disclosed to Website: www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs
other driver licensing authorities to assess your application
or verify any information you have provided.