Queenslanders will need to provide two unique numbers on their driver’s licence to verify their identity to open a bank, internet, phone or utilities account.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the new “two-factor” verification comes after the Optus data breach in September, which has resulted in thousands of people applying for new licences over the last month.
From Thursday licences won’t be acceptable as a form of ID unless people quote the unique card numbers as well as the licence number.
Optus revealed the cyber attack had potentially exposed the personal data, including the driver’s licence numbers, of almost 10 million customers on September 23.
The Queensland government offered to replace the licence numbers of those caught up in the breach, which could be almost 665,000 people, according to their own estimates.
The transport department, which usually processes about 30 licences a week, has received more than 170,000 applications since September 28.
The premier is expected to unveil more details about the driver’s licence plan in parliament on Thursday.
© AAP 2022
