What you need to do right now

To add your Australian driver's license to Apple Wallet, you need an iPhone running iOS 15.1 or later, a valid Australian driver's license issued by your state or territory, and access to your license details. Apple Wallet currently accepts licenses from New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland — other states are not yet supported. The process takes about five minutes and involves opening Wallet, selecting the option to add a license, and following prompts to photograph your license and verify your identity.

You must be at least 16 years old to add a license to Wallet. Once added, your digital license appears in the app and can be shown to police or other authorities by opening Wallet and selecting your license. The digital version does not replace your physical license, though it is accepted by authorities in supported states.

Key Takeaways

  • Only NSW, Victoria, and Queensland driver's licenses can be added to Apple Wallet at this time; other Australian states and territories are not yet supported.
  • Your iPhone must run iOS 15.1 or later, and you need to be at least 16 years old to add a license to Wallet.
  • The process requires you to photograph both sides of your physical license and complete identity verification through your phone's camera.
  • Once added, your digital license appears in Apple Wallet and can be shown to police or other authorities by opening the app and selecting your license.

Check your state and iOS version first

Before you start, confirm that your state or territory is supported. NSW, Victoria, and Queensland have rolled out digital driver's license support in Apple Wallet. If you live in South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, or the ACT, this feature is not yet available to you — you will need to carry your physical license.

Check your iPhone's iOS version by opening Settings, tapping General, then About. Look for the iOS version number. You need iOS 15.1 or later. If your phone shows an earlier version, go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest version before proceeding.

Open Wallet and start the addition process

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone — it is usually on your home screen or in the App Library. Tap the plus sign (+) in the top right corner. You will see a list of items you can add: credit cards, boarding passes, event tickets, and others. Scroll down until you see "Driver's License or State ID" and tap it.

The app will ask you to select your state or territory. Choose the one that issued your license. You will then see a message explaining what information Apple will collect and how it will be used. Read this carefully, then tap Continue to move forward.

Photograph your license and provide your details

The app will ask you to photograph the front of your driver's license. Position your license in the frame shown on your screen — make sure the entire card is visible, the lighting is clear, and the text is readable. Tap the camera button to take the photo. The app may ask you to retake it if the image is blurry or incomplete.

Next, you will photograph the back of your license using the same process. After both photos are taken, the app will display the information it has read from your license — your name, license number, date of birth, and expiry date. Check that all details are correct. If anything is wrong, you can retake the photos. Once you confirm the information is accurate, tap Continue.

Complete identity verification

Apple requires you to verify your identity before your digital license becomes active. The app will guide you through a video verification process using your iPhone's front-facing camera. You will be asked to look at the camera, blink, and turn your head slightly — this confirms you are the person on the license.

The verification usually takes one to two minutes. Make sure you are in a well-lit space and that your face is clearly visible. If the verification fails, you can try again. Once verification is complete, your digital license is added to Apple Wallet and ready to use.

How to show your digital license to authorities

When you need to show your license — to police, at a venue, or for age verification — open Apple Wallet and tap your driver's license. Your license details and photo will appear on your screen. You can hand your phone to the person requesting to see it, just as you would with a physical license.

If your phone is locked, you may need to unlock it or authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID before the license details display, depending on your phone's settings and the situation. Police and other officials in supported states are trained to accept digital licenses shown this way.

What to do if something goes wrong

If your photos are rejected repeatedly, check that your license is well-lit, fully visible in the frame, and that the text is sharp and readable. Shadows, glare, or tilted angles often cause rejections. Try again in different lighting or from a different angle.

If identity verification fails multiple times, make sure your face is clearly visible, you are in good lighting, and you follow the on-screen instructions exactly. If you continue to have problems, you can contact Apple Support through the Wallet app or visit apple.com/au/support. You can also contact your state's transport authority — NSW uses Service NSW, Victoria uses VicRoads, and Queensland uses the Department of Transport and Main Roads — though they cannot add the license for you; they can confirm whether your license is may be able to access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my digital license instead of carrying my physical one?

In NSW, Victoria, and Queensland, police and other authorities accept digital licenses shown through Apple Wallet as valid proof of identity. However, it is still wise to carry your physical license as a backup in case your phone runs out of battery, is lost, or malfunctions. Some venues or services may still request the physical card.

What happens if my license expires?

Your digital license will show the same expiry date as your physical license. When your license expires, you will need to renew it through your state's transport authority and then add the renewed license to Apple Wallet. The old digital license will no longer be valid.

Can I add multiple licenses to Apple Wallet?

You can add one driver's license per state or territory to your Wallet. If you hold licenses from both NSW and Victoria, for example, you can add both. You cannot add two licenses from the same state.

What if I lose my phone or it is stolen?

Your digital license is tied to your phone and Apple ID. If your phone is lost or stolen, you can use Find My iPhone to remotely lock or erase it. Your digital license will be removed from the device. You can then add your license to a new phone once you have it set up.

Do I need an internet connection to show my digital license?

No. Once your license is added to Apple Wallet, you can show it without an active internet connection. Your phone does not need mobile data or WiFi to display your license to authorities.