Identity service provider

What is an identity service provider

An identity service provider (IDSP) is a private sector organisation that does business in Australia or New Zealand. IDSPs access the Document Verification Service (DVS) to do identity checks on behalf of other organisations.

As an IDSP, you are not allowed to share the result of an identity check. Instead, you are allowed to give your clients an identity opinion.

You connect to the DVS through a gateway service provider (GSP).

If you are a GSP, you can also access and use the DVS as an IDSP. However, you must sign a separate IDSP participation agreement. You cannot access the DVS as an IDSP under your GSP participation agreement.

Your role as an IDSP

As an IDSP, you help your clients (known as ID service clients) confirm a person’s identity documents by requesting a DVS check on your client’s behalf.

For example, you may provide:

  • pre-employment identity proofing
  • legal services
  • conveyancing
  • anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing identity assurance.

To provide this service, you must enter into a contract directly with each of your clients.

Limits on how you can use the DVS

As an IDSP, you are allowed to:

  • see the result of a DVS check
  • create an ‘identity opinion’ to give to your client.

An identity opinion is a likelihood or confidence rating that the person being verified is who they say they are. For more information about identity opinions, go to Identity opinions.

As an IDSP, you must not:

  • allow any third party to use your connection to the DVS, unless you have appointed this third party as your information match agent
  • connect to the DVS on behalf of any third party
  • share the results of a DVS check with any other person or organisation, including your ID service clients.

Applying to become an IDSP

To become an IDSP, complete the IDSP application and supporting documentation. All IDSP connections are required to go through a GSP.

Please follow the steps below.

To become an IDSP, you must:

All IDSPs are required to nominate an approved GSP before submitting your DVS application. 

If you have questions about the process of nominating a GSP, please contact us at ivs.manager@ag.gov.au.

Once you have nominated your GSP, complete the DVS Online Registration Form.

Once submitted, we will send you a formal application decision in 2 to 3 weeks. In this time, your GSP will advise if you meet the criteria for access to the DVS.

If you have any questions about applying or need help filling out your application form, please contact us at ivs.manager@ag.gov.au.

Once you submit the DVS online registration form, the IVS Manager will send you an IDSP participation agreement to sign. Return your signed agreement to ivs.manager@ag.gov.au

Find out more

If you are already an IDSP, you can access more information by logging in to the DVS SharePoint User Portal or Guidance for Users.

If you have questions about accessing the portal or need other guidance, please contact us at ivs.manager@ag.gov.au.

This information is not, and should not be taken as, legal advice.