100 Points Proof of Identity
In Australia, when you open a bank account or apply for a rental, driver licence, or National Police Check, you must gather identity documents worth '100 points'. When you have just arrived, you usually have only your passport (70 points), so it's easy to get stuck short of 100 points. Here we set out which documents are worth how many points, and in what order to build them up.
This article is general information for foreign nationals living in Australia and is not legal or immigration advice. Points tables, fees, phone numbers and scheme names differ between organisations (banks, state governments, the federal government) and can change, so before you actually apply, always confirm the latest requirements with the relevant organisation or the official sites below.
What is 100 points proof of identity?
A '100 point identity check' is a points-based method used in Australia to verify your identity. Each document is worth a set number of points, and they must add up to at least 100 points for your identity to be confirmed. This system is required in situations such as:
- Opening a bank account — most banks require 100 points.
- Applying for a rental — a real estate agent requests it to confirm identity and income.
- Driver licence / ID card — required by each state's transport authority (e.g. Service NSW, VicRoads).
- Identity checks — such as an AFP National Police Check.
The types of documents required differ slightly between organisations, but the broad framework — 'add up points to reach 100' — is the same.
When you have just arrived in Australia, you usually have only your passport (70 points), leaving you 30 points short of 100. So right after arrival, the key is 'how to build up more points' (see 'Building points right after arrival' below).
Which documents are worth how many points — the points table
Below is a representative points table widely used by police checks, banks and others (source: AFP National Police Check 100 Point Checklist, based on Victoria Police). The accepted documents and points can vary slightly between organisations, so treat this as a guide and confirm the actual points with the relevant organisation.
Primary (required starting) documents — 70 points each
- Passport (currently valid) — including foreign passports (an official translation must be attached for documents issued overseas)
- Australian passport (currently valid, or expired within the last 2 years and not cancelled)
- Australian Citizenship Certificate
- Full birth certificate (a birth extract, birth card or commemorative certificate is not accepted)
- A Certificate of Identity issued by the Australian Government to refugees and non-citizens
Secondary documents — 40 points each
- Australian Driver Licence / Learner's Permit — with photo or signature
- Australian tertiary student card — with photo or signature
- Public service ID card (federal, state or territory) — with photo and signature
- An ID card showing entitlement to government welfare, plus signature (e.g. Health Care Card)
Secondary documents — 35 points each
- Mortgage documents showing your current address
- Land Titles Office records showing your current address
- Records from a current or former (within the last 2 years) employer confirming your name and current address
- A council rates notice showing your current address
Secondary documents — 25 points each
- Medicare card
- A credit card, or a bank statement showing transaction history
- Telephone account
- A utility record showing your current address (gas, electricity, water bill, etc.)
- A property lease agreement showing your current address
- Electoral enrolment confirmation issued by the Australian Electoral Commission (including current address)
- Membership records of a professional or trade body (such as a union) confirming name and date of birth
Add up your documents
0 points / 100
No primary document — most organisations require at least one
* The points and accepted documents above are examples based on AFP/Victoria Police identity-check standards. Banks, real estate agents and transport authorities use their own lists, and some may count an item at a different value than 25 points or require additional documents. Always follow the guidance of the organisation you are applying to.
The difference between Primary and Secondary
Primary documents (the 'starting point' of identity)
Primary documents are core documents that prove a person's identity from the ground up — such as a birth certificate, citizenship certificate or passport — and are worth 70 points each. They carry a high value, and most organisations require 'at least one primary document'.
Secondary documents (to 'back up' identity)
Secondary documents back up your current activities and address — such as a driver licence, Medicare card, bank card or utility bill — and carry fewer points (40, 35, 25, etc.). You make up any points a primary document alone falls short of with these.
Key rule — you can't reach 100 points without a Primary document
Most organisations don't simply require you to reach 100 points; they require you to include at least one primary document. In other words, gathering lots of secondary documents alone may not be accepted.
Example: passport (Primary 70 points) + Medicare (25 points) + bank statement (25 points) = 120 points → pass. Conversely, four secondary documents alone (25 points each = 100 points) may be rejected because there is no primary document.
Right after arrival: the order in which to build points
When you have just arrived, you have only your passport (70 points), which is not enough for 100 points. The practical approach is to obtain Australian-issued documents in the following order to build up points quickly.
Within about six weeks of arrival, many banks allow you to open an account with just your passport (a concession for new migrants, based on the Home Affairs 'Settle in Australia' guidance). Opening an account before this window closes is the easiest first step. After six weeks, banks usually require two or more documents, including one with a photo or signature.
- Bank account first — use the six-week window after arrival to open an account with just your passport. Once you have an account, your bank statement (25 points) and bank card count towards points.
- Register for Medicare — if you are eligible (permanent residents, some visa holders, citizens of reciprocal health-care agreement countries, etc.), apply for a Medicare card (25 points). Check eligibility and the process with Services Australia.
- Convert or obtain a driver licence — applying for a licence at your state's transport authority (Service NSW, VicRoads, etc.) gives you a strong secondary document with a photo (40 points). Recognition of overseas licences and translation requirements differ by state.
- Gather proof of address — a lease agreement, utility bills (gas, electricity, water) and a telephone account each count towards points (around 25 points) once they show your current address.
Combining documents this way — passport (70) + licence (40), or passport (70) + Medicare (25) + bank statement (25) — lets you exceed 100 points.
Documents issued overseas — an official translation is required
Documents issued outside Australia — such as a foreign passport, overseas birth certificate or citizenship document — can also be used for proof of identity, but if they are not in English you must submit an official translation alongside them.
- The translation must usually be done by an Australian NAATI-accredited translator (or a certified translation accepted by the organisation).
- Some government services provide free translation services — ask the organisation about eligibility and scope.
- A 'certified copy' is often required. Do not post the original; have the copy certified by an authorised person (such as a JP, Justice of the Peace).
Overseas documents alone may leave you short of points because you have no Australian-issued secondary document, so it is best to also follow 'Building points right after arrival' above.
Even if English is hard, you can get help in your own language
If English feels daunting when submitting identity documents at a bank or government office, you can get free interpreting and translation help.
Phone interpreting — TIS National (131 450)
TIS National is a free telephone interpreting service run by the Australian Government. When you call a bank or government office, connect first to 131 450 and request an interpreter, and you can speak in your own language through the interpreter. Interpreting is free when using many government services.
Document translation
If you need an official translation of an overseas document, some government departments provide free translations to migrants in their early settlement period. Check eligibility and how to apply via the Home Affairs 'Settle in Australia' guidance or the relevant organisation.
Official source links
- Australian Government — australia.gov.au(opens in a new window)
Official Australian Government portal — the starting point for government services and identity-related guidance
- Home Affairs — Settle in Australia(opens in a new window)
Home Affairs settlement guidance — key early-settlement information on banking, identity and settling in (including translation)
- AFP National Police Check(opens in a new window)
AFP National Police Check — a federal identity check that applies the 100 point proof of identity (fees apply separately)
- Moneysmart — Banking (moneysmart.gov.au)(opens in a new window)
Moneysmart (government-run) — general guidance on bank accounts and identity verification
- TIS National (131 450)(opens in a new window)
TIS National — free telephone interpreting (131 450), for calls to government offices and banks
* Points tables, fees, phone numbers and scheme names can change. Just before applying, re-confirm the latest requirements on the official sites above or with the requesting organisation (bank, real estate agent, transport authority).
Frequently Asked Questions
I've just arrived — can I reach 100 points with only my passport?▾
A passport is usually 70 points, so on its own it falls short of 100 points. However, within about six weeks of arrival, many banks allow you to open an account with just your passport. Once you open an account, your bank statement and card count towards points, and adding Medicare and a driver licence lets you exceed 100 points. Confirm the exact requirements with each organisation.
How many points is a Medicare card worth?▾
On the identity-check (AFP/Victoria Police) points table, a Medicare card is usually a secondary document worth 25 points. As it is not a primary document, Medicare alone does not confirm your identity; it must be added to one primary document such as a passport. Other organisations such as banks may value it differently.
Can I use a birth certificate or documents issued overseas?▾
Yes, you can, but if they are not in English you must submit an official (usually NAATI-accredited) translation as well. Many organisations require a certified copy instead of the original, so have the copy certified by an authorised person such as a JP.
Can I reach 100 points using only Secondary documents?▾
Usually not. Organisations generally require you to include at least one primary document (passport, birth certificate, citizenship certificate, etc.). Even if you reach 100 points with secondary documents alone, you may be rejected if there is no primary document.
English is hard for me — is there a free interpreter to help with the application?▾
Yes. You can call TIS National on 131 450 and request an interpreter in your own language, and interpreting is free when using many government services. When calling a bank or government office, connect to TIS first and proceed through the interpreter.