Australia Post's Digital iD taps into NFC on iPhones

Australia Post has wasted no time bringing NFC capabilities to iPhone users of its Digital iD app following the launch of Apple’s new iOS 13 operating system.

An update to the app on Friday now allows iPhone users to complete the full Digital iD process needed to create a digital photo identity, without needing to visit an AusPost shopfront.

Using the NFC reader in one last four generations of iPhones (iPhone 7 and up), users with iOS 13 can scan their ePassport to finalise the identity verification process in Digital iD in just minutes.

The update has been made possible with the launch of iOS 13 on Friday, which allows the NFC reader on iPhones to scan a wider range of smartcards and tags, including NFC-enabled passports.

Until now, NFC on iPhones has largely been limited to contactless payment processing through Apple Pay.

The update brings iPhones into line with Android devices, which have supported the verification of ePassports on Digital ID for more than a year.

AusPost’s head of Digital iD Margo Stephen said the development would make it easier for people to obtain a digital photo ID using the app, which is already used more than a million time a year to verify identity.

“We’re really proud of this Digital iD release, which continues to demonstrate how we’re improving the way Australians transact and securely manage their identity and stay in control of their data,” she said.

She said school leavers and university students were some of those most likely to use Digital iD for identity verification.

“Both international and local students in Australia see the value we’ve provided with Digital iD,” she said.

“It allows them to verify their identity once, and then use their phone to re-use that identity online and in person.

“Students love Digital iD as it means they won’t risk losing valuable ID documents like their passport on a night out, which can be expensive to replace and even put them at risk of identity theft.”

This is particularly true of Keypass within the Digital iD platform, which is an accepted proof of age document that can be used to enter licenced venues or purchase alcohol in Victoria, Tasmania, the NT, Queensland and the ACT.

The service can also be used as part of AusPost’s recently launched a platform for businesses and government to verify the identity of job applicants, dubbed Workforce Verification.

In July, Digital iD was accredited as a trusted identity service provider under the government’s federated identity scheme last month.