Attorney-General Department Reports

Identity Security

The Attorney-General's Department plays an important role in working to improve the management of identity in Australia. A significant component of this involves coordinating with other Commonwealth agencies and state and territory governments to implement the National Identity Security Strategy.

Key achievements of this strategy include the establishment of the national Document Verification Service and the development of identity security guidelines and standards related to the recoding, verification and management of identity information.

Identity Security guidelines and standards

Designed initially for government agencies, these standards and guidelines may also serve as a benchmark for private sector organisations, particularly those providing identity related services to, or in conjunction with, government agencies.

A Review of the National Identity Security Strategy - Report to the Council of Australian Governments

In 2012 COAG agreed to a revised strategy to revitalise the national identity security agenda, following a review of the National Identity Security Strategy (NISS). The review found that the elements of the 2007 intergovernmental agreement continued to provide a firm basis for the national identity security effort. It also concluded that an updated strategy document was needed to ensure Australia's approach to identity remained ready to meet the opportunities and challenges presented by the digital economy and to respond to the evolving nature of identity crime in Australia.

Recording of a name to establish identity - better practice guidelines for Australian Government agencies

This paper outlines better practice guidelines to improve consistency and accuracy in use of a name as an identifier by Australian Government agencies.

• Recording of a name to establish identity—Better practice guidelines [PDF 351KB]
• Recording of a name to establish identity—Better practice guidelines [DOC 245KB]

National Identity Security Strategy

The National Identity Security Strategy (NISS) was developed after Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed in 2005 that the preservation and protection of a person's identity is a key concern and a right of all Australians.

The strategy initially took the form on an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that was signed by the Heads of Australia's Commonwealth, state and territory governments in April 2007.

The IGA outlined the six key elements which comprise the NISS. These include measures to enhance identity verification and security standards for key 'evidence of identity' documents; integrity of data in identity records; and interoperability of biometric identity security measures.