Your super fund and bank needs to know who you are before they can pay money, discuss your account or make changes.
Each super fund and financial services organisations (such as super funds and banks) have their own rules for how you prove who you are. This is known as proving your identification (ID).
This process protects you and your money from other people.
If you don’t have the right documents requested by your super fund or bank, there are other ways to prove your ID.
Standard ID
There are laws super funds and banks must follow to check who you are and your ID.
Different super funds and banks will have different ways they follow the law, so will have different ways of proving your ID. This might also change depending on what you want to do with your money.
You might be asked for ID such as:
- Photo ID like a driver’s licence or proof of age card
- Passport
- Medicare card
- Birth certificate
- A government letter addressed to you
- A recent bill addressed to you
Check with your super fund or bank on what they need to verify your identity. Also check how to give them the information – you might be able to attend their office, send copies online or through the post.
It’s okay if you don’t have the usual ID. Super funds and banks are expected to have fair and flexible ways for you to prove who you are, so you can still manage your money.
Contact your super fund or bank and ask them what your options are to identify yourself to them.
If you don’t have standard ID
You might not have the items your super fund or bank asks for, or some of the details on your documents don’t match.
Super funds and banks are encouraged to use other ways to check who you are and prove your ID.
They might accept things like:
- A referee statement from a community elder or organisation, school teacher, doctor or police officer.
- Letters from the government with your name on them, including from Centrelink, Services Australia, or corrective services.
- Community ID, such as a membership card of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation.
It’s important to ask your super fund or bank what kind of proof of ID they will accept.
If you are assisting someone with identity documents, AUSTRAC has guidance to assist customers.
Sam is asked to prove his identity
Sam’s super fund said he needed to prove who he was, but he had lost his photo ID. With help from a financial counsellor, he filled out an ID form from his fund. A local elder in the community where Sam lives signed as his referee and confirmed who he was. The super fund accepted these documents as proof of Sam’s ID.
Questions you can ask
- What types of ID do you accept?
- How many documents do I need?
- What can I use if I don’t have photo ID?
- Do you have a First Nations team member I can speak to?
Where to get more help
If your super fund or bank makes it hard to prove your identity:
- Ask if they have a First Nations support team. Many super funds and banks have trained specialists who can help.
- Call the free Mob Strong Debt Helpline on 1800 808 488. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm.
- Find a financial counsellor in your area and make an appointment to see them.