Proof of Identity

Applicants must provide certified copies of documentary evidence to prove their identity sufficient to satisfy the minimum requirements for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. This is a requirement of the Board's arrangement with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). This must include one Commencement document to confirm your birth in Australia or arrival in Australia.

• one Commencement document to confirm your birth in Australia or arrival in Australia
• one Primary document and two Secondary documents to show the use of your identity in the community.

All documents must be verified by the same authorised witness who has certified all of your identity documents. All photographs contained within your identity documents must be verified by the same authorised witness as being a photograph of you. Refer to: Proof of Identity Documents - Information sheet & Documentation.

Documentation provided for a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check will be treated in a confidential manner. Refer to Privacy Statement.

Minimum identity requirements for new applicants

When you submit your application for teacher registration you must provide four documents to confirm your identity:

• one from Commencement documents to confirm your birth in Australia or arrival in Australia
• one from Primary documents and;
• two from Secondary documents to show the use of your identity in the community.

Click here to view the list of Proof of Identity Documents for New Applicants.

Things to remember

• All documentation supplied in support of your application is the original or a certified copy.
   
• Copies of original documents must be certified by the same authorised witness that signs the Statutory Declaration page in your application form.
   
• Each document submitted for certification must be a photocopy with the original document available for sighting at the time of certification.
   
• In some circumstances, the Board may require presentation of an original document.
   
• If all documents have not been correctly certified, the application will not be accepted and will be returned to you.
   
• All documents in a language other than English lodged as part of an application for teacher registration must be submitted with official certified English translations. (refer to the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters website).
   
• You are also required to include certified copies of all name changes (e.g. marriage certificate, decree nisi or deed poll). You will need additional documents to satisfy the Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check minimum identity requirements however, you may also use the above documents to meet part of those ID requirements.

• If you provide identity documents using a former name, you must provide evidence of your name change. This means providing a change of name certificate issued by the Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages or an Australian marriage certificate issued by a state or territory or a decree nisi, in addition to your four identity documents. (ie if you use your marriage certificate for name change purposes, you cannot use it for ID).

• If your change of name documents were issued in a country other than Australia please contact us.

The Board utilises the Document Verification Service (DVS) to confirm that the details on the identity document match the records held by the government authority that issued the document. You will be asked to provide informed consent to the DVS check.

Minimum identity requirements for teachers renewing their registration

With your Application for Renewal you are required to provide one document from the following list below. The identity document you provide must be a photocopy, certified and linked on the Linkage Verification document by an authorised witness (see below), with the original document available for sighting at the time of certification.

Click here to see a list of authorised witnesses

Identity Documents

• current Australian passport (not expired)
• ImmiCard issued by the Department of Home Affairs (formerly Department of Immigration and Border Protection) that enables the cardholder to prove their visa and/or migration status and enrol in services
• current Australian driver's licence, learner permit or provisional licence issued by a state or territory, showing signature and/or photo and the same name as claimed (front and back required)
• current passport issued by a country other than Australia with a valid entry stamp or visa
• current proof of age or photo identity card issued by an Australian government agency in your name with photo and signature
• current shooter or firearm licence showing signature and photo (not minor or junior permit or licence).

Download the Linkage Verification form here. Photocopy your identity document onto the form. Take this to an authorised witness, with the original identity document, for signing. Attach the completed Linkage Verification form to your application. Please be aware that authorised witnesses are advised by Consumer & Business Services not to sign documentation photocopied onto paper without official letterhead. 

The Board utilises the Document Verification Service (DVS) to confirm that the details on the identity document match the records held by the government authority that issued the document. You will be asked to provide informed consent to the DVS check.

Change of name

If you choose to change your name as part of your renewal application you will be required to refresh your identity documents i.e. you must provide four documents that meet the minimum requirements in addition to your change of name document.

If your change of name documents were issued in a country other than Australia please contact us. 

The TRB is committed to sensitively dealing with and safeguarding personal information collected during the course of business. The TRB will only collect personal information reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, one or more of the TRB's functions or activities.

Read more about our Privacy Statement and Information Management Policy here.

Employees of the TRB are bound by the confidentiality provisions pursuant to Section 53 of the Teachers Registration and Standards Act 2004 and the Public Sector Act 2009 (PS Act).