What's the 100 point of ID for bank accounts in Australia

To pass the verification, you must have over 100 points and you may be asked for primary and secondary documents. The name on the document must match the name you want to have on your bank account, or at least have the supporting documents to show a name change.²

In most cases, you may be asked to present the originals, or scan and upload them to an online system.

In some organisations, certain documents may not have the same points allotted to a document as in other places. For instance, the Queensland government gives a passport only 50 points.

So read over the requirements and double-check the local points value before submitting your documents to avoid delaying the process.⁶

Who uses the 100 point system for verification?

In addition to banking, you may use the 100 point system when joining a new company, dealing with the police or registering for membership with organisations, for example.⁷ ⁸ ⁹

On top of meeting the 100 points needed, certain organisations may have hierarchies when it comes to the documents. You may be asked to provide at least one document that is 50 points or higher plus lesser valued ones, rather than all the documents being of lesser amounts. Ensure to read the fine print so your documents don’t get rejected at submission.

It is also a good idea to have your documents up to date and easy to find when you need them.

What to do if your documents can’t be verified online

Many banks will let Australian residents or valid visa holders upload the required documents online, while new immigrants may be required to bring their documents to a bank branch to be verified in person. ¹⁰

If you aren’t able to upload your documents, you may be asked to go to a bank branch for verification too.

How does this relate to foreign documents?

For certain categories, foreign-issued documents are allowed. This can include a foreign-issued passport or driver’s licence, as long as they are not expired. You may also be asked to show your Immicard or recent travel documents as well.

Foreign documents will not be accepted in other cases, like when the bank is looking for proof of a local address. You will need to show a local registered address on a bank statement, utility or rent bill.

A foreign-issued birth certificate as a primary document is admissible, however. All documents should be translated into English.¹¹

Banks may ask for documents with a photograph, so ensure that you can provide a substitute if your document from abroad does not have one attached.

What if you don’t have standard documentation

There are several reasons why someone may not have the required documents. Some of those not having all the documents can include:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals
• Those affected by a natural disaster such as a flood or fire
• Refugees or asylum seekers
• Victims of homelessness or family or domestic violence
• Age-related issues for having documents
• Those recently released from prison

There can be other reasons why someone may struggle to provide the documents needed for the 100 point system. In that case, banks can use an alternative identification system to verify the individual while also meeting anti-money laundering requisites.

Examples of acceptable documents can include:

• A community ID or indigenous organisation membership card.
• Government correspondence verifying the person or reason(s) for not having the appropriate documents.
• A referee statement from a community leader, police officer, lawyer, recognised Elder, a manager of a homeless shelter or other verifiable authority.
• A self-attestation letter stating the individual’s identity.

Applicants may need to provide more than one of these documents to meet compliance needs. The bank can also decide how many documents will be needed based on a risk assessment of the applicant. ¹²

The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), which overlooks financial transactions, provides additional information on the process if standard documentation is not available.

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