NSW Govt unveils 'the future of digital identity'

A new website aimed at customers provides information about the NSW Government’s Digital Identity program and outlines the vision to make government services and everyday tasks simpler, safer and more secure.

NSW Government Chief Information and Digital Officer Greg Wells said the NSW Government was investing in the power of ideas to improve lives and, ultimately, the future, and believes the NSW Government’s Digital Identity program would play a big role in delivering a modern, digital government for the customers of NSW. 

“From retrieving benefits through the Digital Seniors Card to easily accessing digital licences through the Service NSW app, customers are already using digital identity credentials every day to prove their eligibility or to access a service,” Wells said.

“The NSW Government’s Digital Identity program will allow NSW customers to conduct a range of new transactions online, providing greater accessibility to government services and better support for customers with disabilities, and those in rural, regional or remote areas.

“We want to safely and securely leverage technology to deliver smarter, faster and easier services for the benefit of NSW customers.”

Wells said privacy and security were of the utmost importance to the NSW Government. Oversharing of personal information and identity crime costs customers and the private sector more than $3.1 billion across Australia in 2018/19 as reported by ACIC.

“The NSW Government is implementing rigorous assurances to make sure customer information is safe and secure.

“The NSW Government’s Digital Identity program will provide customers with greater control of how and where their information is shared and enhanced privacy protection against identity fraud and theft associated with physical documents.

“The customer has been at the heart of every decision and will always be in control of any information they choose to share. Customers will choose to opt in to Digital Identity programs, and ongoing consent will be required, meaning they can opt out at any time. An in-person option will always be provided via Service NSW Centres,” Wells said.

The NSW and Australian Governments are working closely together to explore adoption of a national Digital Identity ecosystem, to ensure simple and seamless services for people accessing state-based services. This will deliver significant economic benefits for Australia and NSW and ensure residents get quick and easy access to the services they need.

The NSW Government has allocated $2.1 billion to invest in digital transformation projects through its Digital Restart Fund, which is administered by the Department of Customer Service. The fund targets smart, simple technology solutions which create efficiencies for customers and businesses across the state.

More information on the future of digital identity is available from: nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/projects-and-initiatives/future-digital-identity.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/chinnarach