Phone 1800 444 396
Web brightersuper.com.au
Email info@brightersuper.com.au
Post GPO Box 264, Brisbane QLD 4001

Proof of identity requirements

You’ve worked hard to grow your super savings, and we work hard to look after it for you. That’s why we sometimes ask for your identity documents (ID) to prove who you are.

Ways to prove your identity

We offer two ways to prove your identity - electronic verification or document-based verification.

Do you need help to prove your identity? If you are having issues proving your identity, we may be able to help you. Contact us to talk about your options.


Electronic verification (recommended)

The easiest way to prove your identity is electronically, if you have Australian identification documents and are living in Australia.

All you need to do is provide your Australian driver’s licence or passport details, and your Medicare card details on the form you are filling out or in Member Online.

If you don’t have Australian ID documents or are living overseas, you will need to use the document-based verification option.


Important information about electronic verification

Driver’s Licence card number

The driver’s licence card number is now required to confirm your identity, 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 reduces 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.

Optional use of credit reporting agency information

Choosing to verify your identity electronically simply means you authorise us to check your identity online. To increase the likelihood of us being able to verify your identity electronically, you can also authorise us to check your personal information against existing information held by a credit reporting agency. This option will be provided on the form you are filling out or on Member Online. 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 whether 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 you if further information is required to prove your identity.


Document-Based Verification

You can also prove your identity by supplying Brighter Super with copies of your identification documents.

Copies of your identification documents generally need to be certified. Brighter Super will only accept copies of identification documents that have been certified within the last 24 months.

 

Identification document options

Option 1: Provide one of the following:
  • Current Australian Driver’s Licence (front and back)
  • Current Photo Identification card or Proof of Age card issued by an Australian state or territory (front and back)
  • Current Passport

Option 2: If you don’t have the identification documents from Option 1, you can provide a combination of the following:

 

  • Birth certificate
  • Citizenship certificate
  • Centrelink Pensioner card (both sides)
  • Centrelink Health Care card (both sides)
  • A photo identification document from Option 1 that expired within the last two years

And, one of these: (Must contain your full name and current residential address)
  • A notice from a Commonwealth, State or Territory Government recording payment of financial benefits (e.g. Centrelink) that is less than 12 months’ old
  • A notice from a Commonwealth, State or Territory Government that provides the outcome of eligibility for subsidised aged care, that is less than 12 months old
  • A notice from the ATO recording a debt payable that is less than 12 months old
  • A notice from local government body or utilities provider (e.g. rates notice, electricity bill, gas bill, water bill or phone bill) that is less than 3 months old

If your identity document is issued by a foreign government and is not written in English, it must be accompanied by a translation. You must use an accredited translator. Visit naati.com.au to find a list of approved translators in Australia.


How to get a document certified?

A certified copy of a document is one that is officially confirmed as being a true and exact copy of the original. You will need to take a copy of your document, along with the original, to someone who can certify documents.

Who can certify my documents?

  • Who can certify my documents in Australia

    The following individuals, who currently reside in Australia, are eligible to certify copies of your original identity documents:

    • A Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Declarations or notary public officer

    • Police officer, doctor, pharmacist, dentist, chiropractor, physiotherapist, nurse, optometrist or veterinary surgeon

    • Registrar or deputy registrar of the court, judge of a court or magistrate

    • An Australia Post employee with more than 2 years of service or an agent of the Australian Postal Corporation

    • A finance company officer with more than 2 years service or an officer with, or authorised representative of, a holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence, with more than 2 years of service

    • A person enrolled on the roll of a State or Territory Supreme Court or the High Court of Australia, as a legal practitioner

    • An Australian consular officer, Australian diplomatic officer or authorised Commonwealth employee in a country or place outside Australia

    • A Chief Executive Officer of a Commonwealth court

    • An Australian Defence Force officer or warrant officer or non-commissioned officer with at least 5 years continuous service.

    • A member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, CPA Australia or the National Institute of Accountants with 2 years continuous membership

    • A teacher employed on a full-time basis at a school or tertiary institution

    • A permanent employee with 2 or more years continuous service, of one of the following:

      • the Commonwealth or Commonwealth authority

      • a State or Territory or a State or Territory authority;

      • local government authority

  • Who can certify my documents while overseas

    We can only accept certified identification documents that are signed by one of the following people within the last 12 months:

    • A person in a foreign country who is authorised by law in that jurisdiction to administer oaths or affirmations or to authenticate documents.

    • A person authorised as a notary public in a foreign country.

    • Employee of the Commonwealth or the Australian Trade Commission who is authorised and exercising his or her function in a country or place outside Australia

    • Australian Consular Officer or Australian Diplomatic Officer (within the meaning of the Consular Fees Act 1955)


    For original documents that are not in English, you must also provide a translation from an accredited translator.

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 information:

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

 

Your 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.

Have you changed your name?

If you have changed your name, you will also need to provide a certified copy of one of the following suitable linking documents:

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

Are you acting on someone’s behalf?

If you are signing a form on behalf of one of our members, please complete a Power of Attorney Form. As part of this form, you will need to provide:

  • A certified copy of the relevant appointing document – Power of Attorney, Enduring Power of Attorney, or Administration Orders.
  • Proof of identity for all persons acting on behalf of the member
  • Proof of the member’s identity

We’re here to help

For general questions relating to your Brighter Super account, please contact us.

To book an advice appointment, email us on advice@brightersuper.com.au or call us on 1800 444 396.

Brighter Super Trustee (ABN 94 085 088 484, AFS Licence No. 230511) as trustee for Brighter Super (ABN 23 053 121 564)(Fund). Brighter Super may refer to the Trustee or the Fund as the context may be. Brighter Super products are issued by the Trustee on behalf of the Fund. The information contained is up to date at the time of publishing. Some of the information may change following its release. Any questions can be referred to Brighter Super by calling 1800 444 396, or by emailing info@brightersuper.com.au.

This info sheet provides general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. As such, you should consider whether it is appropriate in light of your own objectives, financial situation and needs prior to making any decision. You should consult a licensed financial adviser if you require advice which does take into account your personal financial circumstances. You should also obtain and consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making any decision to acquire any products. A Target Market Determination (TMD) is a document that outlines the target market a product has been designed for. Find the PDSs and TMDs at brightersuper.com.au/pds-and-guides.