When checking an ID for age, which of the following forms of identification

In NSW, patrons must be at least 18 years of age to enter a licensed venue and drink alcohol.

In line with responsible service of alcohol principles, anyone who appears to look under 25 years old needs to provide proof of age when entering a licensed venue or buying or consuming alcohol from that venue.

Currently, accepted proof of age documents include:

• a driver or rider licence or permit issued by an Australian State or Territory or any foreign country
• a NSW Digital Driver Licence
• Australian or other passport
• NSW photo card
• proof of age card issued by a public authority of the Commonwealth or of another State or Territory for the purpose of attesting to a person's identity and age
• Keypass (over-18) identity card issued by Australia Post.

Tips for licensed venues when checking evidence of age

It is important your venue has practices in place to assist with accepting proof of age and ID documents.

Tips for identifying a genuine proof of age document:

• examine all ID in a well-lit area where alterations will be spotted more easily
• don’t inspect an ID through the window face in a person's wallet – ask them to remove it
• take the ID from the patron and take your time examining it. It is recommended you do not handle a patron's phone when presented with a NSW Digital Driver Licence.
• make sure the ID includes a hologram or other security feature relevant to the document
• compare the photo with the patron presenting the ID – do they match? Pay particular attention to distinguishing facial features
• feel around the photo, birth date, and edges of the card. A card enclosed in plastic or laminate with wrinkles, bumps and air bubbles could mean the ID has been altered
• calculate that the date of birth of the ID confirms the person is at least 18 years old.

Refer to Service NSW website for how to check the NSW Digital Driver Licence.

Remember that photo cards, driver licences, passports, and Keypass identity cards ​can be issued to persons under 18 years of age.

Recommended textbook solutions

Pharmacology and the Nursing Process

7th EditionJulie S Snyder, Linda Lilley, Shelly Collins

388 solutions

The Human Body in Health and Disease

7th EditionGary A. Thibodeau, Kevin T. Patton

1,505 solutions

Dutton's Orthopaedic: Examination, Evaluation and Intervention

5th EditionMark Dutton

475 solutions

Epidemiology for Public Health Practice

5th EditionRobert H Friis, Thomas Sellers

124 solutions

It is important to check the ID of any person who is on licensed premises and appears to be under 25 (excluding exempt minors as defined in the minors and the responsible service of alcohol refresher).

To ensure you don’t miss a false hard copy ID:

• Ask patrons to remove ID from wallets and purses for inspection.
• Take the ID card from the patron and examine in a well-lit area where any tampering/alterations will be more obvious - take your time to examine the ID thoroughly.
• Feel around the photo, birth date and edges of the card, especially cards enclosed in plastic. (Anything unusual such as pin pricks, lifted laminate, laminate that's thicker than usual, glued-on photographs, wrinkles, bumps and air bubbles could mean the ID has been tampered with.)
• Check for any smudges or possible blurring of the typed date of birth.
• Check the birth date on the ID and confirm the patron is over 18.
• Look at the photograph and ensure it matches the patron presenting the ID.
• Check the eye colour and height are correct, when noted on the ID.
• Note the built-in security features for each ID card (e.g. hologram).
• Verify the personal details by asking the person to state some details from the ID (e.g. address, year and month of birth).
• Where necessary, ask the person to sign their name on a blank piece of paper which can then be compared with the signature on the ID.
• Be extra alert to ID marked as 'duplicate' or of a type you are less familiar with (e.g. foreign drivers licence).

To check a digital ID:

• compare the photo with the person presenting the ID, ensuring they are the same
• check that the date of birth confirms the person is over 18 years (some forms of ID can be issued to people under 18)
  and
• identify the security features of each type of ID (for example, shake to animate, QR code or refreshing of the security features) and use the appropriate verification techniques.

For more information about checking digital ID and their security and validation features, read Digital ID.

Remember, if you have any doubts about the person being at least 18, refuse entry and refuse service.

Transcript of video

Read identification (ID) for all patrons for more information.

Also consider...

• Download our 'Follow the law' posters and LCD images.
• Learn more about RSA training.
• Read about responsible service of gambling (RSG) training.
• Subscribe to the Inside Liquor and Gaming newsletter.
• Contact the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation.

Which of the following are acceptable forms of proof of age identifications?

What is the best technique for determining a valid ID?

What is the most valid form of identification?

What are acceptable forms of ID in Australia?