Queensland to roll out digital driver's licences with Australia-first feature

Queenslanders will soon have access to a digital driver's licence, the first in Australia to be valid overseas.

The new licence will be available within months, initially rolling out in Townsville as part of a 72,000-person trial.

While New South Wales and South Australia already have digital licences, the Queensland app will be the first to reach international standards of identification.

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"The biggest and broadest test to date," Transport Minister Mark Bailey said.

"If you want to get into a licensed venue, you don't have to show your address."

The smartphone app will also allow digital access for marine licences and proof-of-age cards.

Susan Furze from RACQ said the app will be a new convenience for Queenslanders.

"To not have to remember to have that physical licence on you all the time is going to be a bonus," she said.

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In November last year, 2600 South Australians had their digital licences stolen after hackers accessed their passwords, which were reused from other websites.

Cybersecurity experts have advised if the right precautions are taken, the new Queensland app will be incredibly secure.

"But if the user doesn't take enough care with the login details then it can be a problem," David Tuffley from Griffith University said.

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In the next few months, Queenslanders will also have a digital option for public transport, and will have the option to pay their fare via a phone or smartwatch.

The new technology will be accessible on Brisbane's Ferny Grove line from March, with the final rollout complete by 2023.

"It'll mean faster services and faster boarding," Mr Bailey said.