Digital licences: NSW Government begins rollout declaring ‘days of multiple cards clogging wallets are numbered’

THE NSW Government has fired the first salvos in a digital revolution it says will transform both your wallet and the way people go about their business.

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THE NSW Government has fired the first salvos in a digital revolution it says will transform both your wallet and the way people go about their business.

The process of replacing physical forms of identification and licensing has begun with the Recreational Fishing Fee, Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) and Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) Competency Cards transitioning to the new platform.

NSW Minister for Finance and Services Dominic Perrottet today announced the trio would be available in a digital format from mid-2016.

“In 2015 our citizens are mobile and digital and that’s where the government should be too,” said Mr Perrottet.

“The introduction of the NSW Digital Licence will mean the days of multiple plastic cards clogging up precious wallet space are numbered.”

Mr Perrottet said the initiative was more than just displaying licences on a smartphone.

“This technology will allow our citizens to display, apply, update and renew their licences using their smartphone, with real-time information also available,” he said.

“The Digital Licence will also have security safeguards built in, with authorities able to more easily verify the validity of these licences.”

The state currently issues more than 23 million licences each year, covering 769 different licence types.

Another five common licence categories are expected to roll out by early 2017 but the Digital Driver Licence is not expected to be available until the end of 2018.

Originally published as Digital licences: NSW Government begins rollout declaring ‘days of multiple cards clogging wallets are numbered’