The New South Wales government has introduced new legislation to strengthen protections for residents at risk of identity fraud. The Identity Protection and Recovery Bill, announced by the Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, establishes critical measures to combat the misuse of stolen or compromised identity documents.
Under the bill, a new fraud check service will allow government agencies and accredited organisations to verify whether an ID has been breached, preventing criminals from exploiting stolen details to apply for loans, grants, or credit. The legislation also formalises the role of ID Support NSW, which assists victims of data breaches by replacing government documents and providing cybersecurity guidance.
With Australians losing over $2 billion to scams in 2024 (including more than 67,000 reports from NSW) the bill aims to curb identity theft through a secure Compromised Credential Register. This database will flag stolen IDs, such as driver’s licences and photo cards, and alert both individuals and issuing authorities for swift replacement. Financial institutions and government agencies will also use the register to detect fraudulent activity.
In 2023–24, ID Support NSW aided 40,000 customers affected by identity theft while delivering nearly 200 community education sessions on cyber resilience. The Labor Government has committed $22.7 million over four years to ensure the program’s continuity.
The Minister highlighted that the reforms will protect vulnerable residents from impersonation and financial harm while boosting public trust in digital services. The bill aligns with the NSW Digital Strategy’s goal of enhancing cybersecurity and preventing identity crime.
