One Australian territory is dragging its feet on digital driver’s licences, insisting on a “cautious approach” while other states, including Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, power ahead.
The ACT Government say they’re waiting to ensure the technology aligns nationally. But critics argue the time for testing the waters has long passed. Western Australia and Northern Territory are also lagging behind.
Authorities in the ACT said the delay is about getting it right — not rushing into a system that might soon be outdated. A spokesperson previously told Yahoo News that “any changes would require a review prior to commencement to understand the needs of the 349,730 current licensees in the ACT.”
But to critics, it’s been branded bureaucratic hesitation dressed up as prudence, especially as other jurisdictions have already proven digital licences can work smoothly and securely.
Finance Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the government’s main concern is that launching a standalone system now could lead to wasted investment if Australia later adopts a unified digital licence framework.
“Some will be too young, maybe, to remember this, but what we want to avoid is investing in a Beta video recorder just as we realise that the rest of the world is moving to VHS as standard,” Stephen-Smith said, The Canberra Times reported.
Other states, including Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, have powered ahead with digital licences. Source: VicRoads/Getty
When will the ACT catch up with Australia?
A progress report is due in December 2026, outlining when Canberrans can expect to swap their physical driver’s licences and proof-of-age cards for digital versions. The ACT will collaborate with New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia to explore how cross-border enforcement and venue acceptance could work.
Stephen-Smith said the technical demands of developing a digital licence that functions across jurisdictions were considerable.
“The ACT government is actively engaged in a significant national initiative led by digital and data ministers, which I am now a member of, and their supporting officials. And this work is focused on establishing consistent, secure and interoperable digital identity processes across jurisdictions,” she said.
The Legislative Assembly motion calling for the rollout of digital licences was introduced and amended by Liberal MP Ed Cocks, who criticised Stephen-Smith for her cautious tone.
“I think it’s about time the government got on and got it done, and it sounds like we’re going to have that happen,” Cocks said.
“But I hope when she goes into that negotiating room, she brings a little bit more enthusiasm to the possibilities and the positive future that this could bring than she brought to the debate today.” His amended motion received tripartisan backing in the Assembly on Wednesday afternoon.
Stephen-Smith noted that Australia’s digital and data ministers had agreed to adopt the international standard for digital personal identification, known as ISO 18013-5, as the basis for the country’s digital driver’s licence systems.
What other jurisdictions are yet to roll out digital licences?
In August, an ACT Government spokesperson told Yahoo News it remained “committed to delivering more ACT Government services online” and was “collaborating closely with other states like Queensland and Victoria to understand the implications from their trials to inform future decisions.”
The government is also strengthening features on its existing digital account platform, which it said will form the foundation for future online services, including digital licences.
Meanwhile, Western Australia — one of the last remaining states yet to roll out a digital licence — is also exploring its options, a Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure spokesperson told Yahoo in August.
“The Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) is undertaking early work with Austroads and other state transport authorities towards the future implementation of digital driver’s licences in WA. This work is focusing on security of information, data protection and interoperability across different jurisdictions.”
The Northern Territory remains the only other jurisdiction yet to introduce a digital driver’s licence, and it has not publicly confirmed when or if it plans to do so.
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