Optus data breach: Australian states allowing new driver’s licence numbers

In an unprecedented move, more than half of Australia’s states and territories will allow motorists affected by the Optus data to request a new driver’s licence number.

In the past, it has been next to impossible to change driver licence numbers – which stay with individuals throughout their life. 

Authorities make it tough to change licence details to prevent fraud, and to prevent banned drivers from rorting the system.

However, with almost 10 million Australians affected by the Optus data breach, the New South Wales, Victorian, Queensland, South Australian and Australian Capital Territory governments are allowing motorists to apply for a new driver’s licence number – on strict conditions.

As this article was published, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory had not announced licence number replacement plans relating to the Optus data breach. 

Below is how each state and territory is responding to the Optus data hack.

As reported by The Guardian, motorists in New South Wales will be able to apply for a new driver’s licence number through the Service NSW app after receiving confirmation from Optus that their data has been breached.

While New South Wales motorists will be required to pay a $29 upfront fee for a new licence number, Optus has offered to reimburse those who are affected.

“Customers who have had both their driver licence number and associated card number compromised are expected to be contacted by Optus in coming days and are strongly advised to apply for a replacement licence as soon as possible,” Service NSW told The Guardian.

In Victoria, affected Optus customers can submit a form which requests their licence to be flagged within the Victorian and national licence databases and the Australian Government’s document verification service.

“By flagging records, VicRoads will prevent any unauthorised changes or access to individual information through the Victorian licence database,” said the state’s transport department. 

In addition to this, VicRoads is offering replacement licence cards to impacted Optus customers, free of charge.

Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads says motorists who have been notified by Optus of an exposed driver’s licence number can apply for a new card at one of the state’s customer service centres, requiring evidence of identity and communication of the data breach from Optus.

The Queensland Government will cover the cost of the replacement licences and distribute the new licence through the mail.

South Australia’s Service SA department has announced a similar set of requirements to Queensland, adding motorists with a mySAGOV account should set up two-factor authentication for further protection.

The ACT Government has announced motorists will only be able to apply for a new driver’s licence number if they are a victim of fraud from the Optus data breach.

In the Australian Capital Territory, driver’s licences have a licence number (which remains with the holder throughout their life) and a card number (which changes every time a licence card is replaced).

“Access Canberra currently understands that the significant majority of cases affected by the Optus data breach contain driver licence numbers, but not card numbers,” a statement on the ACT Government’s website says.

“If you have been notified by Optus that a data breach may have exposed your licence details, but no fraud has taken place, Access Canberra is able to replace your licence card, but not the licence number.”

Access Canberra did not clarify whether motorists would be reimbursed the $42.60 replacement driver’s licence fee.

As of midday on Wednesday 28 September 2022, the West Australian, Tasmanian and Northern Territory Governments had not announced specific measures for motorists impacted by the Optus data breach.  

Drive will update this story as more information becomes available.