Personal Identity Documents (PIDS)
definition
As part of a whole of government initiative to strengthen the proof of identity procedures within the public sector, agreement was reached amongst a wide range of key Commonwealth agencies on the introduction of a standardised proof of identity model based on those identity documents assessed to have the required integrity.
This model is defined as the Prescribed Identification Document System (PIDS) more commonly referred to as Personal Identity Documents.
PIDS consists of two components:
- A schedule of documents which lists those that the majority of adults would have in their possession and be able to produce at interview as evidence of their identity;
- The combination of documents that we require applicants to produce which will provide evidence of the applicant’s existence in the community and thereby support their identity.
Categories A, B and C documents
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.
Acceptable PIDS combinations
All applicants must provide one of the following three combinations of original documents to confirm identity and photo ID.
Where an applicant has changed his/her name it is possible the PIDS documents presented are in the person’s previous name. In such cases it is important for the interviewing officer to confirm the link between the PIDS documents, the person lodging the application and the new and previous names.
The acceptable PIDS combinations are listed below.
Combination 1: PIDS
Two documents as follows:
- One document from category A; and
- One document from category B.
These documents must be original and valid.
If neither of these documents shows the applicant’s current residential address the applicant will need to provide one category C document that does.
Combination 2: PIDS
Three documents are required (only if the applicant cannot provide combination 1):
- Two documents from category B; and
- One official document that includes the applicant’s photograph.
These documents must be original and valid.
If none of the documents shows the applicant’s current residential address the applicant will also need to provide one category C document that does.
Combination 3: PIDS
Four documents are required (only if the applicant cannot meet combination 1 or 2):
- At least three documents from category C that show the applicant’s name and current residential address; and
- One official document that includes the applicant’s photograph and signature.
These documents must be original and no more than 12 months old.
Full PIDS requirements not met
There should be only a very small number of applications that cannot meet the PIDS Category A or B requirements. In all such cases applicants are to be encouraged, in the first instance, to provide the necessary documents listed in these two categories.
Applicants who are unable to meet Category A or B PIDS requirements must be advised that the processing of their application may be delayed as further checking will be required. Priority processing must not be offered to these applicants. An appropriate note must be made in the comments box of the interviewer’s section.
PIDS requirement/s not met |
Additional action |
Unable to meet photo ID requirement |
Note: Applicants who are 75 years or older who do not possess suitable photograph identification are not required to provide a second guarantor as these applicants are usually low risk. However, the ‘one’ guarantor should be contacted and positively identify the applicant to the satisfaction of the passport officer. |
Unable to provide sufficient and suitable documents to confirm identity |
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Unable to meet residential address requirement |
Applicant to provide:
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