Protecting Identity Security

Identity security is central to Australia’s national security, law enforcement and economic interests, and vital in protecting Australian citizens from the theft or misuse of their identities.

The misuse of false or stolen identities underpins terrorist and criminal activity. It also undermines border and citizenship controls and efforts to combat the financing of crime and terrorism. It is essential to Australia’s security and economic interests that the identities of persons accessing government services, benefits, official documents and positions of trust, can be accurately verified. Also, the victims of identity theft bear significant financial and emotional costs in regaining their identity and credit ratings.

The Australian Government is working to improve identity security, combat identity crime and protect the identities of Australians from being used for illegal purposes. Current initiatives include:

• The National Identity Security Strategy
• The National Document Verification Service (DVS)
• The ID Theft Kit

Further information can be found on the Attorney-General's Department’s web site regarding the Government's work on identity security.