As you go through life, there will be lots of times when you’ll need to show identification (ID) to prove who you are. This includes when you apply for government services like Youth Allowance on myGov, when you open a bank account, or get a new mobile phone plan.

100 points of identification

When you want to apply for a service you will usually be asked to provide more than one form of ID. This request is to prevent identity theft and fraud. Most organisations will require you to present a combination of ID documents including a primary ID document such as a passport or birth certificate and a secondary ID document such as a Medicare card or student ID card.

Organisations usually want you to provide 100 points of ID. This is a system introduced by the Australian Government that assigns points against each ID item. For example, a driver’s licence might be worth 60 points and a birth certificate might be worth 50 points.

Always check with the organisation if you are unsure about showing 100 points of ID.

Passports as ID

If you have one, a passport is a common ID used to prove who you are. Getting a passport requires you to go through a few steps. You can find information on how to apply for a new or renewed passport on the Australian Passport Office website.   

Birth certificates

A birth certificate is an important document to have and can help prove your identity.

If you were born in Victoria, you can request your birth certificate with Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria. 

MyGov

MyGov is a way to access government services online and in one place. If you receive or want to apply for payments or support from the government, you must have a myGov account.  

With a myGov account, you can:

  • apply for government support or payments 

  • submit your tax return 

  • see pathology reports and health information 

  • submit and process Medicare claims 

  • see your vaccination record and status 

  • check any payments you receive from the government 

  • get messages sent to your secure myGov Inbox – for example, your tax notices 

  • update your personal details

  • access your online accounts overseas

  • link to other government services. 

If you are 15 years or older and don’t have a myGov account you can create one at myGov.

MyGov can also be accessed through an app available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

A range of government services can be linked to your online myGov account including:

  • Australian Taxation Office

  • Centrelink

  • Child Support

  • Department of Health Applications Portal

  • HousingVic Online Services

  • Individual Healthcare Identifiers service

  • Medicare

  • My Health Record

  • National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Centrelink allowances

If you are training or studying at university or TAFE, you may be eligible to receive payments to support your education. To learn more read our government allowances page.

If you currently receive government support such as Youth Allowance, you may be eligible to receive a Centrelink payment to help with your rental payments. For more information on rental assistance see Services Australia.

To find out if you may be eligible for education, housing and other payment supports see the Centrelink payment finder tool. Note that you're not automatically eligible for the allowances it recommends. Before you apply for any payments, you should do some research on the Centrelink website to make sure you're definitely eligible.

Victorian concessions and benefits

The Victorian Government also has a concessions eligibility calculator that tells you which concessions may be available to low-income Victorians. These assist with making payments such as council rates and water, gas and electricity bills.