Verification of identity

In order to undertake a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC), the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) requires evidence that proof of identity documents belong to the applicant. This can be done instantly via the Service Victoria app or by submitting a valid Verification of identity (VOI) form signed by authorised third party. Both options must be completed within an application for registration via an applicant’s MyVIT account.

To help protect the Australian community and minimise identity fraud, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) now requires VIT to confirm the link between the applicant and the identity documents supplied. 

The VIT must establish a verifiable link between the identity documents and the individual. This can be done instantly via the Service Victoria app or by submitting a valid Verification of identity (VOI) form signed by authorised third party. Both options must be completed within an application for registration via an applicant’s MyVIT account.
 

The ID validation process must be undertaken as part of your online application via your MyVIT account. You will be asked a series of questions that will determine which option best suits your circumstances. 

Option 1: Use Service Victoria to instantly verify identity

This process requires applicants to use Service Victoria’s app for verification.

Applicants will need

• originals or copies of the three (3) proof of identity documents
• original passport AND drivers license or Medicare card
• a smart phone less than five years old.

Note: if this is your first time using Service Victoria, the process can take up to 25 minutes to complete, however identity is validated on the spot and the details can be saved for future requirements (such as Working with Children clearances, online drivers licenses, vehicle or boat registration and more).

Watch a short video about the online ID checking process.

Option 2: Complete a verification of identity (VOI) form

This process requires applicants to fill in the form and take original documents to an authorised third party for verification.

Applicants will need

• originals or copies of the three (3) proof of identity documents
• access to a printer. 

The VOI form must include the following

• reference numbers and expiry dates for all four documents 
• third party’s full name
• third party’s occupation
• proof of the third party’s occupation (and therefore authorisation to act as a third party), which may include
  • their workplace’s name and address
  • an official stamp from their workplace
  • the official registration number provided by their industry’s regulatory body, or
  • their VIT registration number, and
• third party’s signature (electronic signatures are not accepted).

The VIT is unable to accept VOI forms that do not contain complete verification from an authorised third party. Submission of incomplete documents may delay the assessment of an application.

The VIT uses your documents to confirm your identity in relation to your application for registration. 

Service Victoria will 

• verify your identity by checking your name, date of birth and document numbers
• use face and document recognition
• match your information with government databases to verify your identity.

The VIT and Service Victoria will not

• access files, content, saved video or images on your phone
• store any video
• save any of your data without asking you
• share information with external parties or use your information for any other purpose unless permitted by law.

Privacy statement

• read VIT’s privacy statement
• read Service Victoria's privacy and security policy.

Any technical issues with Service Victoria’s identity verification can be addressed directly with Service Victoria. You can request help on the Service Victoria website.

Watch a short video on how to complete the Service Victoria online ID process.
 

Your browser must allow pop-ups to open Service Victoria in a new tab. Many browsers will block pop-ups by default, but should show an icon or notification at the top of the page to indicate when this occurs. Try clicking on this icon or notification and choose to temporarily allow pop-ups to proceed.

If you have been using the Service Victoria app only for the COVID features in the past, it is likely you don't have a Service Victoria account.

You can check if your email address or account exists in our system by entering it in Service Victoria’s Forgot your password page. If you can't remember your email, you can go to their Forgot your email page for more help.
 

The Service Victoria link will be sent instantaneously to your specified phone number but may take up to a few minutes to appear on your phone depending on your network conditions. Check that you have entered the correct number and that you are in an area with mobile network reception.

There could be a few reasons the link isn’t working

• the link is valid for 20 minutes
• you can only use the link once
• you must use the link from a mobile phone.

If you open the link with iMessage or other messaging service on your PC, it won’t work.

Resend the link and try again. You can resend the link from the page you were on.
 

Service Victoria requires original physical ID documents to verify your identity. If you do not have these documents available, you should complete a manual verification of identity form.

Your phone browser may be blocking access to your camera for Service Victoria to take photos of your documents. Look for an on-screen notification that your browser is requesting access to your camera, and choose to allow this to continue with your ID verification.

Here are some tips for taking a photo of your document

• use an original physical document (not a screenshot, saved image or copy)
• make sure you're in a well-lit area and put your document on a plain background (natural daylight with your flash on works best)
• adjust your camera resolution so the aspect ratio is in 16:9
• don’t block any text
• make sure the camera sees the whole page including the edges and all four corners
• for Android - make Chrome your default browser
• for iPhone - make Safari your default browser
• clear your browsing and cache history
• try using a friend or relative's smartphone.

When Service Victoria takes photos of your identity documents, they convert the photos to text and add the information to your form. The technology they use sometimes makes mistakes.

Check that the information entered matches your documents and that your documents are valid (not expired).

Service Victoria requires a physical Medicare card to verify your ID. If you have a digital Medicare card only, you can use a driver's licence instead, or verify your identity manually using VIT’s verification of identity form.

Service Victoria scans your face to make sure you’re a real person. Here are some tips if you’re having trouble with this

• check that Chrome is your default browser on Android, or Safari on iPhone
• clear your browsing and cache history
• ensure your internet browser has access to your camera under the internet settings.

When you’re in front of the camera, make sure:

• you’re not standing directly under a light to avoid shadows or glares
• your face is within the guides
• you’ve removed accessories like sunglasses, a hat or scarf
• you’ve adjusted your camera resolution - ensure your aspect ratio is in 16:9.

Follow the audio prompts and when asked

• to turn your head – show your ear
• to smile – show your teeth.

If your previous identity verification attempt was successfully completed, you may need to refresh the page on MyVIT to reflect this on your application.

If your previous identity verification attempt was not successfully completed, you may need to select ‘Cancel’ and start a new identity verification with Service Victoria.

Applicants are required to provide one commencement of identity document (which confirms the applicant’s birth or arrival in Australia), one primary use documents (which shows the use of the applicant’s identity in the community) and one secondary use document confirming certification of the identity documents provided.

• click here to see the full list of valid proof of identity documents
• click here to see the full list of invalid proof of identity documents.

If you don’t have a smartphone less than five years old, don't have the correct documents, or if you are experiencing other difficulties accessing the Service Victoria app, you can complete a Verification of identity (VOI) form and have it witnessed by an authorised third party.

You can read more about the VOI option here.

This process requires applicants to use Service Victoria’s app for verification.