Australia DTA Consults on Upcoming “Trusted Digital Identity Bill”

The consultation will facilitate the Trusted Digital Identity Bill, making digital identity systems accessible to the private sector. 

Australia’s Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has published a release paper to parliament, providing consultation on the planned introduction of new legislation, known as the  “Trusted Digital Identity Bill”. The legislation is expected in the second of this year. 

The bill will make it possible for non-governmental organizations to provide digital identification services in Australia for the very first time. 

At the moment, Australia’s digital ID system has been enabled through 75 government services, for the use of over 2.56 million Australians and over 1.27 million businesses. 

Last November, the DTA conducted its first round of public consultation, seeking stakeholder views, development plans, scope and content of the Trusted Digital Identity legislation. 

The DTA stated that the first round of consultation received a positive response, which called for the expansion of the scope of the digital identity system, and for stronger governmental efforts to be enclosed in the law. 

Here’s your chance to influence Australia’s Digital Identity legislation. We’re now engaging with stakeholders and the public by seeking feedback on the Digital Identity Legislation Position Paper. Have your say at https://t.co/pAq76a7Kqx by 5:00pm AEST 14 July 2021. pic.twitter.com/psH7A5wwnX

— DTA (@DTA) June 10, 2021

The current consultation makes up the second phase of DTA’s three-phased comprehensive consultation process. Phase 2 involves engaging with the public and the stakeholders to devise clear policies in the following key areas:

• Structure of the legislation
• Scope of the legislation and interoperability with other systems
• Regulatory oversight of the system and TDIF (Trusted Digital Identity Framework) Accreditation system
• Privacy and consumer safeguards
• Trust mark
• Liability and redress framework
• Penalties and enforcement
• Administration of charges for the digital identity system

The position paper, which is open for comment until 14 July, provides consultation to facilitate the development of the Trusted Digital Identity Bill, expanding Australia’s digital identity system and making it accessible to all the sectors of the economy. 

The bill will also allow entities using other digital identity systems to also apply for TDIF (Trusted Digital Identity Framework) accreditation.

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