• According to Dreyfus the $11 million allocated in the 2024–25 budget will be used for the app over a four-year period.

To counteract cyber criminals who exploit stolen credentials such as Medicare cards and passports, the government is gearing up to introduce a new application. The app will promptly inform users if their details are being used by malicious actors.

In a media release Dreyfus said the mobile application will allow an individual to be notified, in real time, if someone is using their identity without their consent.

“Individuals will then be able to act immediately to control their identity credentials by enabling or disabling their use for verification.

“These changes will give Australians full control of when and how their identity credentials are being used and allow them to disrupt illegal use of their identity.”

“The register enables people who have had their personal details stolen to quickly lock down their information to prevent their data being used for identity crime and theft,”

“This in turn disrupts black market sales of stolen personal documents and illegal activities that rely on those stolen credentials, including scams, money laundering and fraud.” Dreyfus said.

The register was set up after the Optus data breach to prevent the verification of breached identity documents and data and to enable swift locking of compromised details for individuals impacted by data breaches, safeguarding their identities.

The app’s launch follows closely on the heels of reports exposing a surge in the theft and misuse of Commonwealth credentials.

Approximately 25,000 Australians were recommended to seek identity support services in the last fiscal year alone, marking a 26 percent increase since the 2020–2021 period.

This funding is in addition to the $3.3 million provided by the Government in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook to enhance the Register.