Photo ID & Proof of Age in Australia

Essential guide for international students

🎯 Why You Need This: Your passport alone isn't enough in Australia. You'll need local photo ID to enter bars/clubs, buy alcohol, verify age, and sometimes even open accounts. This guide shows you exactly what to get.

What Counts as Valid Photo ID?

✅ ALWAYS Accepted

  • • Australian Driver's Licence (full or provisional)
  • • Proof of Age Card (18+ card, Keypass, Adult Proof of Age)
  • • Australian Passport

⚠️ SOMETIMES Accepted (venue dependent)

  • • Foreign Passport (most venues accept, some don't)
  • • Digital ID apps (Service NSW, myGovID - growing acceptance)

❌ NOT Accepted

  • • Student ID cards
  • • Medicare card (no photo)
  • • Bank cards
  • • Screenshots or photos of ID

Proof of Age Card (18+ Card) by State

💡 Best Option for International Students: If you're not planning to drive or converting your licence yet, get a Proof of Age card. It's official government ID that proves you're 18+, works everywhere, and is cheaper than a licence.

New South Wales (NSW)

Photo Card

📋 Requirements:

  • • Be 16+ years old
  • • NSW resident
  • • Passport + visa
  • • Proof of NSW address
  • • Don't have NSW driver's licence

💰 Cost & Time:

  • • Cost: $59 (5 years)
  • • Processing: 10 business days
  • • Digital: Available on Service NSW app
Apply online at Service NSW

Victoria (VIC)

Keypass Card

📋 Requirements:

  • • Be 18+ years old
  • • Victorian resident
  • • Passport + visa
  • • Proof of Victorian address
  • • Don't have Victorian licence

💰 Cost & Time:

  • • Cost: $32.60 (10 years)
  • • Processing: 2-3 weeks
  • • Apply: VicRoads office (in person)
Apply at VicRoads

Queensland (QLD)

Adult Proof of Age Card

📋 Requirements:

  • • Be 18+ years old
  • • Queensland resident
  • • Passport + visa
  • • Proof of Queensland address
  • • Don't have QLD licence

💰 Cost & Time:

  • • Cost: $68.90 (5 years)
  • • Processing: 10 business days
  • • Apply: Online or TMR office
Apply at Queensland Transport

Western Australia (WA)

WA Photo Card

📋 Requirements:

  • • Be 16+ years old
  • • WA resident
  • • Passport + visa
  • • Proof of WA address
  • • Don't have WA licence

💰 Cost & Time:

  • • Cost: $36.50 (5 years)
  • • Processing: 2-3 weeks
  • • Apply: Online or Transport office
Apply at WA Transport

South Australia (SA)

Proof of Age Card

📋 Requirements:

  • • Be 15+ years old
  • • SA resident
  • • Passport + visa
  • • Proof of SA address
  • • Don't have SA licence

💰 Cost & Time:

  • • Cost: $51 (10 years)
  • • Processing: 2-3 weeks
  • • Apply: Service SA centre
Apply at Service SA

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Proof of Age Card

📋 Requirements:

  • • Be 15+ years old
  • • ACT resident
  • • Passport + visa
  • • Proof of ACT address
  • • Don't have ACT licence

💰 Cost & Time:

  • • Cost: $52 (5 years)
  • • Processing: 10 business days
  • • Apply: Access Canberra centre
Apply at Access Canberra

Digital ID Options

myGovID App

Official government digital identity app. Use it to verify your identity for government services, and increasingly accepted by private businesses.

✅ Where It Works:

  • • myGov services (Centrelink, Medicare, ATO)
  • • Some banks (Commonwealth, NAB)
  • • Australian Post
  • • Government agencies

❌ Where It Doesn't:

  • • Most bars and nightclubs
  • • Alcohol purchases (bottleshops)
  • • Some private businesses
Download myGovID

Service NSW App (NSW only)

NSW residents can add their driver's licence or Photo Card to the Service NSW app. This is a legal digital ID accepted almost everywhere in NSW.

✅ Benefits:

  • • Same legal status as physical card
  • • Widely accepted in NSW
  • • Free to add
  • • Quick access

⚠️ Note:

  • • Only works in NSW
  • • Still carry physical card as backup
  • • Phone must be charged
Download Service NSW App

How to Prove Your Address

Most states require proof of address when applying for ID. Here's what counts:

✅ Accepted Documents (dated within 3 months):

  • • Rental agreement or lease with your name
  • • Utility bill (electricity, gas, water) in your name
  • • Bank statement showing your address
  • • Phone or internet bill in your name
  • • Government letter (Centrelink, ATO, Medicare)

💡 Living with homestay or short-term rental? If you don't have bills in your name yet:

  • 1. Open a bank account (use university CoE or rental agreement)
  • 2. Wait 1-2 weeks for bank to send statement to your address
  • 3. Use bank statement as proof of address
  • 4. Alternatively: Get a statutory declaration from landlord/homestay confirming you live there

Quick Decision Guide

🚗 Planning to drive in Australia?

→ Get an Australian Driver's Licence (convert your overseas licence or learn here)

🎉 Just want to go out with friends?

→ Get a Proof of Age Card (18+ card) - cheapest and easiest option

📱 Want both physical and digital?

→ Get Proof of Age Card + add to state app (NSW Service app) + myGovID for government services

⏰ Need ID urgently (within days)?

→ Use your passport for now (most places accept it) while waiting for your Proof of Age card to arrive

Pro Tips

Always carry physical ID: Even if you have digital ID, carry your passport or physical card as backup. Some venues don't accept digital yet, and your phone might die.
Apply early: Most cards take 10+ business days to process and arrive. Apply in your first few weeks so you have it when you need it.
One-time cost: A Proof of Age card costs $30-70 depending on state, but lasts 5-10 years. Much cheaper than constantly carrying your passport (which you might lose!).
Protects your passport: Your passport is your most valuable document. Getting ID means you don't risk losing/damaging your passport at bars, clubs, or shops.
Venue discretion: Some venues are strict and only accept Australian ID, especially busy bars and nightclubs. Having a local card eliminates any hassle.

Related Guides

→ myGov & Government Setup→ Settling In Australia→ Open a Bank Account