What is 100 points of ID?
Answer
Proof of identity using a points system
Explanation
100 points of identification is the documentary test used by Australian banks, government agencies, and other institutions to confirm a person's identity when they open an account or apply for a service. The system assigns a number of points to different documents, and the customer must provide documents totalling at least 100 points to satisfy the test.
The system was introduced in 1988 by the Australian government as part of the Financial Transaction Reports Act and is now applied under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (the AML/CTF Act) and AUSTRAC's regulations. It applies to opening bank accounts, applying for loans, lodging certain government claims, and applying for a passport, among other purposes.
The points system distinguishes between primary and secondary documents. Primary identification documents (worth 70 points each in most schemes) include an Australian passport (current or expired within two years), a foreign passport, an Australian birth certificate, an Australian citizenship certificate, or an Australian permanent residence visa. Secondary documents (worth 25 to 40 points) include an Australian driver's licence, a Medicare card, a Centrelink concession card, a tertiary student ID, a utility bill, and a council rates notice. Some documents (such as a credit card with the customer's name on it) are worth fewer points and serve as supporting documentation.
Most institutions now offer alternatives to presenting physical documents. Digital identification through MyGovID, the federal digital identity service, is accepted by most major banks for online account opening. The Australian Government Digital Identity System (under the Digital ID Act 2024) is rolling out broader recognition. New citizens should specifically know that their citizenship certificate counts as a primary document worth 70 points and is now one of the most common forms of primary ID. A current driver's licence (40 points) plus a utility bill (25 points) plus a Medicare card (25 points) is one common combination making up the 100 points.
Why this matters for your test
100 points of ID is the universal proof-of-identity standard for opening accounts and accessing services, and knowing which documents score how many points helps new citizens complete the process the first time.
Source: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond (2024)
