Australia's first biometric drivers licence

Queensland Transport has selected Unisys Australia to provide facial image processing technology and services for Queensland’s new digital driver licence. The digital licence is designed to significantly improve security for over three million of the state’s licence holders, streamline administration of the licensing system and reduce identity fraud.

Under the five-year contract, Unisys will provide facial recognition software, facial image capture devices, case management software and associated services.

The smartcard licences will be introduced in a rolling program as existing laminated licences expire and are renewed. As Queensland driver licences are valid for up to five years, it will take approximately five years for digital licences to be rolled out to all licence holders.

“We have used the laminated licence design in Queensland for over 20 years. The new digital licence will deliver a more secure form of driver licence documentation for Queenslanders as it is harder to forge or alter. As a result, it will help reduce the risk of identity theft to Queensland licence holders and give them greater confidence that their personal licence information is being kept secure. It will also enable Queensland Transport to deliver services in a more convenient manner as licence holders will be able to use a card reader or the Queensland Transport website to view, update and transact on their licence and registration themselves,” said Land, Transport and Safety Executive Director Judy Oswin.