The New South Wales government has announced the rollout of digital birth certificates for young people born in the state, making it the first Australian jurisdiction to offer the service.
People aged 16 to 21 will be the first cohort able to download their birth certificates directly from the Service NSW app as of today, provided they hold a NSW driver’s license or photo card.
The government said the digital birth certificate will improve interactions with government services and give individuals more control over sharing their information.
Minister for Customer Services and Digital Government, Jihad Dib (pictured), said he was proud that NSW is the first place in Australia to offer young people the opportunity to carry a secure digital birth certificate on their mobile device.
“For young people living away from home for work and study, this digital document provides instant convenience when they need their birth certificate to apply for certifications and licences – making it easier to apply for jobs," Dib said in a March 17 statement.
“The Digital Birth Certificate offers a secure and convenient way to access one of the most important identity documents, giving people greater control over personal information. It’s the same as having a birth certificate in your pocket – but much more secure.
“Under the Minns Labor Government we have taken this from pilot to reality as we continue to improve the way people manage their identity online and roll out the latest, secure digital identity option.”
Service NSW, Managing Director, Greg Wells, added that digital birth certificates are entirely optional.
“Losing birth certificates will be a thing of the past, with the Service NSW app allowing customers to store their certificates in one place,” Wells said.
“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.”
David Hollingworth
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.