Service NSW has made a digital birth certificate available through its mobile app, offering young residents in New South Wales a way to carry verified proof of age and identity on their phones.
The credential is available to people aged 16 to 21 who were born in NSW and already hold a NSW photo card or driver licence. It is opt-in and accessible through the Service NSW app.
The digital birth certificate can be used to verify identity when applying for Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) and Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) workforce licences, giving it practical utility beyond a simple identity document. Service NSW describes it as an Australian first.
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said the launch reflects the government’s commitment to making government services more accessible through mobile technology. The Service NSW app already hosts a range of digital credentials, including driver licences and the Digital ID card.
The addition of a birth certificate to the app extends the scope of what Australians can carry and present digitally. For the target age group, the credential covers a transitional period when many young people are entering the workforce or accessing age-restricted services for the first time.
The opt-in model means existing physical birth certificates remain valid. Users who choose to add the digital version do so through the Service NSW app, with eligibility verified against existing licence or photo card records held by the state.
Sources: Service NSW
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By the Mobile ID World Editorial Team
