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Online Identity Verification FAQs

Online Identity Verification (OIV) is a system that lets us confirm your identity by checking details of an Australian ID document, without you having to come in and meet us face to face. We use this to reduce fraudulent applications.

What is OIV?

Online Identity Verification (OIV) is a system that lets us confirm your identity by checking details of an Australian ID document, without you having to come in and meet us face to face. We use this to reduce fraudulent applications.

Protecting your privacy is both a legal requirement and important to us as your trusted banking provider. We have strict processes and guidelines in place to ensure your information is safe and secure.

In the event that your information were stolen, you would be easily able to confirm your identity with our OIV system through a simple selfie on your device sent through to us. Our systems would then match this up with the photo on your ID.

Frequently asked questions

  • As an AUSTRAC registered financial institution, we are required by law to verify an individual’s identity prior to providing access to our products and services. 

    Ensuring that those who apply for our products are who they say they are not only protects the wider public from identity fraud, but also limits the ability of fraudsters to open accounts with us.

  • Valid Australian Driver’s Licence/Learner’s Permit OR Current Australian Passport.

    1. SMS – A SMS with the Online Identity Verification link will be sent to your mobile number that was used for the application. 

    2. ID – Take a photo of either your Driver’s Licence or your Australian Passport, from which we will read your details.

    3. Selfie – Then you take a selfie, we will match against the photo from your ID Document.

    4. Submit – Lastly you check that the details are correct and submit!

     

  • It takes less than 5 minutes from start to finish, and you’ll be provided with a result as soon as you’re done!

  • Verification can be done on any smart device that has a camera, including laptops with webcams. Though for best results, we recommend using a smartphone less than 5 years old.

  • You can either visit one of our branches or download and complete a Proving Your Identity form to have documents certified and returned to us.

  • Yes. Your device will need to be connected to the internet to be able to communicate with our systems.

  • Yes. If your verification attempt fails or is interrupted for any reason, you can follow the link again to restart the Online Identity Verification process.

  • Once you start Online Identity Verification you must finish the process in one session. If you need to stop at any time, you can always begin a new one by following the link provided to you again.

  • You can contact our customer service team from Monday to Friday, between 8am to 6pm AEDT on 1300 654 822 (if calling from overseas: +61 3 4053 5555) or you can email us on info@bankfirst.com.au.

  • There are three possible outcomes of the Online Identity Verification (OIV): Submitted, Cancelled or Error.

    If you receive an Error, please refresh the page to reattempt. If the error persists, please contact us on 1300 654 822 (if calling from overseas: +61 3 4053 5555).

  • We use Online Identity Verification to ensure a fast, secure and reliable verification of your identity. If you do not wish to proceed we will have to verify your identity the old-fashioned way: by downloading our Proving Your Identity form and having them certified and returned to us.

  • As per Bank First Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Finance (AML/CTF) Program we may request our existing members to re-verify their identity every 5 years, in order to comply with AML/CTF Act 2006 requirements and to ensure your identity verification information are current.

  • Your privacy is always our top priority. When completing Online Identity Verification, a secure connection is established between our verification service and your device.

  • No, your Online Identity Verification result applies only to your individual identity verification with us. We do not share this information with any other financial institution.

  • At this time only Australian driver’s licences and passports are supported by Online Identity Verification.

    To complete your verification with alternative ID verification documents please download a Proving Your Identity form and have your ID documents certified.

  • Example: Driver’s licence has my surname after marriage and my passport has my maiden name. 

    Unfortunately you may not be able to complete Online Identity Verification process instantly in this case. 

    You can either visit one of our branches or download and complete our Proving Your Identity form and provide a certified copy of your formal marriage certificate or change of name certificate issued in Australia.

  • If you are having difficulties scanning your ID document, you may not be attempting the scan under optimal conditions, to ensure the best outcome please follow the steps within the Online Identity Verification.

  • If you encounter any error messages, wait and try again. If the error persists, please note it down and call our customer service team from Monday to Friday, between 8am and 6pm AEDT on 1300 654 822 (if calling from overseas: +61 3 4053 5555).

  • All personal information we collect during Online Identity Verification process will be treated as per the Bank First Privacy Policy.

  • If you wish to obtain a copy of your information, or have your information removed, you can make a request as per the Bank First Privacy Policy.