Government user

Become a Document Verification Service government user

A government user is an Australian Government organisation connected to the Document Verification Service (DVS) directly or through a gateway service provider.

Who can be a government user

Examples of government organisations that might use the Document Verification Service include:

  • state or territory agencies (such as a road transport authority)
  • Commonwealth agencies (such as Department of Home Affairs).

The Australian Business Number lookup tool is a good place to start if you are unsure about your organisation's status.

Who cannot be a government user

New Zealand government organisations can use the DVS, but are not considered government users for the purposes of the DVS. New Zealand government organisations must complete a DVS registration form online as a business user and connect through a gateway service provider. More information is available on the Business user page.

Local government authorities (such as councils) can use the DVS, but are not considered government users for the purposes of the DVS. Local government authorities must submit a business user application.

Meeting PSPF requirements in pre-employment checks

The Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) sets out what Australian Government organisations must do to protect their people, information and resources. It mandates that as part of pre-employment screening for all personnel, non-corporate Commonwealth entities must verify a person’s identity using the DVS.

Pre-employment screening is one reason government organisations may need access to the DVS. They may also need it to perform other duties. 

Competitive neutrality

‘Competitive neutrality’ requires that government business activities should not enjoy net competitive advantages over their private sector competitors simply by virtue of public sector ownership. 

Competitive neutrality maintains a level playing field between public and private businesses. Your competitive neutrality status determines how you connect to the DVS.

Government users subject to competitive neutrality can only connect through a gateway service provider. These government users are considered commercial entities.

Government users that are not subject to competitive neutrality can set up a direct connection to the DVS or they can choose to connect through a gateway service provider.

To help you make an informed assessment on competitive neutrality in your application, it’s important that you read The application of Competitive Neutrality Policy and Principles to government users.

Government user application times 

It usually takes:

  • 2 to 3 weeks for us to review and approve your application
  • 2 to 3 weeks to set up an indirect connection through a gateway service provider
  • 3 to 6 months to set up a direct connection. 

Connection and usage costs

Gateway service provider connection 

We charge gateway service providers monthly on transaction volumes. If you are a government user that is not subject to competitive neutrality, we will not charge the gateway service provider for your transactions.

Your gateway service provider charges you.

Direct connection

There is a one-off connection fee for government users connecting directly to the DVS. We also charge a one-off fee for each kind of document you want to verify (for example, driver licence or passport). Please see our Identity Verification Services Fees page for more information. 

You can contact us to discuss your payment options. 

How to apply to be a Document Verification Service government user

Follow the steps below to connect through a gateway service provider.

Choose a gateway service provider and enter into an agreement with them.

We cannot recommend a gateway service provider to you, but you can refer to the list of approved gateway service providers.

Complete and submit the Government user application form.

We will send you a participation agreement to sign and return to us once we receive your application.

After this, we will contact your gateway service provider to set up your connection.

Follow the steps below to set up a direct connection.

Follow the steps below for a direct connection.

Complete and submit the Government user application form.

We will send you a participation agreement to sign and return to us once we receive your application.

After this, we will contact you to set up your connection.

We will contact you within one week to discuss your connection.

You should have a formal application decision in 2 to 3 weeks.

Go to Contact us and select the enquiry type ‘Application help – Government’ if you have any questions about applying to be a government user or need help filling out your application form.