Proof of identity requirements

Why does Brighter Super verify your identity?

In 2006 the Australian Government introduced the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Act 2006 as part of a package of legislation designed to combat money laundering and terrorism financing and to bring Australia into line with international best practice.

Brighter Super must comply with the legislation. In response we’ve introduced a range of internal measures to meet our obligations. Verifying your identity is just one of the ways we protect your money.

How is your identity verified?

If you are an Australian resident with Australian identification documents currently living in Australia, we offer electronic identity verification as well as verification through certified documents. However, if you're living overseas or possess only foreign government identification documents, electronic verification won't be possible. In such cases, you'll need to submit certified documents to verify your identity. Regardless of the method chosen, you will need to provide the specific information outlined in this info sheet.

Electronic identity verification

You can choose for Brighter Super to verify your identity online. To do this we need your:

• full name
• date of birth
• residential address.

We will also need your:

• driver’s licence number, card number and state of issue
• driver’s licence card number is now mandatory for all States and Territory's in Australia. Your card number is a unique identifier which is updated each time a driver’s licence is re-issued. Including the card number when verifying your identity ensures that the document being presented is the most recently issued document and this will minimise the risk of identity theft using a stolen or lost driver licence. The position of the card number is different for each State and Territory. If you hold a Queensland driver licence, your card number is located at the bottom of your licence however, in other states it is commonly located on the back of your licence.

OR

• passport number (including your family name at birth, place of birth and country of birth)

Use of credit information

Choosing to verify your identity electronically simply means you authorise us to check your identity online. You can also authorise us to check your personal information against existing information held by a credit reporting agency. Use of credit information may increase the likelihood of us being able to verify your identity electronically. Checking your identity this way is not the same as a credit check, which means it will not impact your credit rating in any way and there will be no record stored on your credit file.

What does a credit reporting agency do with my information?

To verify your identity through a credit reporting agency Brighter Super will disclose your name, residential address and date of birth. The credit reporting agency will confirm these details match personal information already held by them. If the details you provide cannot be matched by the credit reporting agency we will advise you in writing. We will also advise if you need to meet further identity requirements.

Choosing to provide certified documents

You can choose to verify your identity by supplying Brighter Super with certified documents. Read ‘What is a certified document’ below for more information or contact us.

What is a certified document?

A certified copy of a document is one that is officially confirmed as being a true and exact copy of the original.

This means a person who is legally qualified to do so will look at an original document and its copy and make sure both are identical. They will then certify every page as a true and exact copy by writing or stamping ‘certified true copy’ followed by all of the below:

• their signature
• their printed name
• their qualification (e.g. Justice of the Peace, Australia Post employee etc.)
• date certified

If any of the documents in this table are issued by a foreign government and written in a language that is not understood by the person carrying out the verification, it must be accompanied by an English translation.

What is a valid document?

We can only accept a certified copy of an original document that has been certified within the last 12 months. Under no circumstances should you ever send us an original document such as your actual passport, licence etc. as you need to be present at the time of certification.

Have you changed your name or are signing on someone’s behalf?

If you have changed your name or are signing on behalf of another person, you will need to provide a certified linking document.

If you have changed your name you will need to provide one of the following suitable linking documents:

• marriage certificate
• deed poll
• decree nisi
• change of name certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages registration office

If you are signing on behalf of the applicant, you will need to provide us with Guardianship papers or Power of Attorney.

What should my fully certified document look like?

Your fully-certified document should look similar to the example below:

1. Copy of both sides of the driver’s licence that belongs to the person who wishes to prove their identity.
2. Certification and signature of the person who is qualified to certify documents.
3. Stamp and registration number (if applicable) of the person who is qualified to certify documents.
4. The name and qualification of the person who is qualified to certify documents and the date of certification.

Who can certify my documents?