Some Queensland residents to finally get access to digital licence trial after delays
Residents in the north Queensland city of Townsville will be able to access the state's new digital licence as the new technology is gradually rolled out.
The app has been redesigned following a pilot program run on the Fraser Coast in 2020. Townsville was meant to get its hands on the new licences last year, but delays meant the trial was pushed back to late April.
Here's everything you need to know about the digital licence rollout, including who in Townsville can try it, and when it will be introduced across the state.
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Townsville residents will be able to use Queensland's new digital licence as part of a trial. Supplied/Queensland Government
Who can use Queensland's digital licence?
The Queensland government is rolling out its digital licence to residents of Townsville in a staggered trial.
The first groups to get access to the app are:
• Townsville Chamber of Commerce
• Townsville Liquor Accords
• Local, State and Federal Government agencies
• Significant local businesses and industry groups
• Palm Island and indigenous community representatives.
The trial will then be gradually extended to all of Townsville, with eligibility determined by a resident's postcode.
You can check if your postcode is eligible at the Queensland government website.
People who participated in the original 2020 trial of the licence on the Fraser Coast will also be able to test out the new version of the licence.
The app will be available on both Android and iOS devices, and the state government recommends having the latest version of the operating system.
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The digital licence is due to roll out to the rest of the state later this year. Supplied/Queensland Government
When will the rest of the state get access to it?
While a date has not been set for the complete, state-wide rollout of Queensland's digital licence, an announcement from Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said it will happen "later this year".
What kind of ID does the digital licence include?
Queensland's digital licence isn't just for driver's licences – it can also be used for photo ID cards and marine licences.
The digital licence also complies with ISO international standard 18013-5, meaning it will be able to be used in other jurisdictions in Australia and around the world like the European Union and parts of North America.
Currently, New South Wales and South Australia are the only Australian states to use digital licences.
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Townsville's trial was meant to start in 2022, but delays pushed it back to April 2023. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Why have there been delays in the digital licence rollout?
The Townsville trial was originally meant to roll out in late 2022. However, that was pushed back to April 2023, in part due to increased demand for security testing following last year's Optus data breach and Medibank hack.
"As technology changes, hackers are becoming more and more sophisticated," Bailey said in November.
"In the current climate, there is increased demand on ... security testing."
In announcing the start of the trial in Townsville, Bailey said he was confident in the security of the app.
"Since inception we have taken the time and put in the effort to make sure that we aren't just delivering the best digital licence but the safest as well," he said.
Fellow MP Les Walker also praised the privacy measures included in the digital licence.
"Security and privacy are a top priority for the project," he said.
"Your private information is stored safely and securely and is encrypted on your device."
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