The three PIDS categories (A, B and C) listed on adult passport application forms are designed to perform specific functions in confirming an applicant’s identity at interview. In accordance with National Privacy Principles, where the applicant has provided PIDS that show information that is not required for the purposes of issuing a travel document, this information must be blacked out. Generally this will mean that bank account details (numbers and balances) shown on the bank/credit cards and bank account records will need to be blacked out prior to scanning by the interviewer. Information relevant only to the application will be retained by the Department (See ‘ Confidentiality of records / Privacy Act 1988 / Freedom of Information (1.3.3) ).

Category A documents: PIDS

Includes those documents that can tie the applicant's face to a name i.e. documents that contain a photographic image of the holder and the person’s signature:

• Current driving licence issued by an Australian State or Territory.
  For overseas lodgement only – current driving licence issued by a government driving or motor vehicle licensing authority. These are the only forms of licence that are acceptable. International driving licences are not acceptable as there is no national register or facility to validate these documents;


• Birth card issued by a Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages (note: birth card will be phased out by 2013)
  For overseas lodgement only – foreign residency ID card, issued by the appropriate ministry.

Category B documents: PIDS

Includes those documents that prove the person operates in the community in that identity:

• Medicare card issued by the Health Insurance Commission
  For overseas lodgement only – health card issued by a foreign government authority;


• Centrelink card issued by Centrelink
  For overseas lodgement only – social security card issued by a foreign government authority;


• Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) card issued by DVA
  For overseas lodgement only – equivalent issued by a foreign government authority;


• Credit card or account card issued by a financial institution in Australia
  For overseas lodgement only – credit card or bank card;


• For overseas lodgement only – national insurance card issued by a foreign government authority;


• For overseas lodgement only – foreign passport.


• information not relevant to the travel document application such as credit card numbers, account numbers and balances should be blacked out by the interviewing officer from the photocopy of PIDs where necessary. (See Confidentiality of records / Privacy Act 1988 / Freedom of Information (1.3.3) )

Category C documents: PIDS

Includes those documents that prove that the person in that identity is a resident in the community and provides proof of the person’s address:

• Motor vehicle registration or insurance papers;


• Property rates notice;


• Property lease agreement;


• Home insurance papers;


• Utilities bill, e.g. telephone, electricity or gas bill;


• Bank statements showing residential address
  For overseas lodgement only – credit card statements showing residential address.


• information not relevant to the travel document application such as credit card numbers, account numbers and balances should be blacked out by the interviewing officer from the photocopy of PIDs where necessary. (See Confidentiality of records / Privacy Act 1988 / Freedom of Information (1.3.3) )

Photographic ID – acceptable PIDS examples

Photo ID should be in the form of an official document that includes a photograph and signature. Examples include a drivers’ licence, residency card, credit card, birth card, student card or an employment identity card.