Service NSW has launched a digital birth certificate for young people in New South Wales, making it available through the Service NSW app to people aged 16 to 21 who were born in NSW and hold a NSW photo card or driver licence.
The digital credential is opt-in and has been designed to international security standards. Eligible users can download it directly in the Service NSW app and use it to verify their identity when applying for workforce licences and certifications, including Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) and Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) authorisations.
Service NSW Managing Director Greg Wells said the digital format addresses a recurring problem for natural disaster victims and people living away from home: “During natural disasters when people need documents like these the most, we often help people whose birth certificates and other documents have been destroyed; a digital version provides a solution for those who need to verify their identity quickly to access services.”
The rollout begins with the 16-to-21 age cohort. Service NSW and the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages are engaging community and industry partners to expand the certificate’s acceptance across businesses, schools, clubs, and sporting organisations. Over time, the credential is intended to support a broader range of government service transactions.
The launch follows a pilot phase under the New South Wales government and marks the first time a digital birth certificate has been made available statewide in Australia. NSW Minister for Customer Services and Digital Government Jihad Dib said the program is designed to give users greater control over what personal information they share when verifying identity.
NSW has been expanding its digital identity credentials for residents. The Service NSW app already supports digital driver licences, which can be presented in place of physical cards for a range of identity checks.
Sources: NSW Government, Service NSW
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
