Acceptable forms of identification

Licensees and their staff need to be vigilant when checking identification (ID).

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Evidence of age documents

Acceptable evidence of age documents under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 (the Act) are:

  • Australian driver licence (including all Australian issued digital driver licences).
  • Victorian learner permit.
  • Foreign driver licence in the English language or if not in the English language, must be accompanied by an official English translation (for example, translated by a NAATI accredited translator) or an International Driving Permit.
  • Victorian proof of age card or an equivalent from another state or territory of Australia.
  • Keypass card (including digital keypass).
  • Australian or foreign passport.
  • Victorian marine licence.

Download your optional Approved forms of ID signage for your venue below:

Optional signage Approved forms of ID
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Accepting digital identification (ID) documents

Under the Act, an Australian driver licence is an acceptable form of identification.

Across Australia, state and territory governments are rolling out digital driver licences. Digital driver licences are government issued, therefore they are acceptable as evidence of age in Victoria under the Act.

Licensed holders required to use ID scanners as a condition of their licence should scan a digital licence the same way as other (non-digital) evidence of age documents.

If a scan cannot be taken temporarily for technical reasons, the venue should request an alternative acceptable form of ID that can be scanned.

If a customer cannot present an alternative acceptable form of ID to be scanned, the licensee is not required to refuse entry to this particular customer. In some circumstances, the licensee may need to refuse the customer entry to the venue.

Venues should contact their scanner provider directly if they encounter issues or have questions.

For more information, see:

Fake IDs

There are serious offences for using fake IDs.

If you are found to have knowingly supplied, created or purchased documents and information to produce proof of age documents, you are liable for maximum penalties exceeding $3,800. Additionally, if you knowingly use a fake ID to purchase alcohol or enter a licenced venue, your penalties can exceed $960.

If you, as a licensee, suspect that the ID presented is not authentic, ask for a second form of identification. If you determine that one or both presented IDs are fake, that ID (except for a driver licence) can be confiscated from the customer and handed over to the police.

Allowing minors using a fake ID into the venue and supplying minors alcohol

While it is an offence to permit underage persons on licensed premises (other than as permitted under section 120(1) of the Act), there is a defence under this section if the licensee or staff member was shown an evidence of age document, indicating that the minor is of or over the age of 18 years.

Similarly, it is a defence to supplying liquor to a minor who is not having a meal with their parent, guardian or spouse (of or over 18 years of age) if the licensee or staff member was shown an evidence of age document, indicating that the minor is of or over 18 years of age.

Identifying translated foreign driver licence – NAATI accreditation

A document an accredited NAATI translator has translated will generally contain a translator stamp. You can find more information about the NAATI translator stamp on the NAATI website.

Some translators may not have a stamp, so they will sign and date a declaration that includes their name and their NAATI certification number, which is a combination of letters and numbers, starting with CPN.

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