The 100-Point ID Check for Rentals Explained (2026)
Last updated: March 2026 | Reading time: 7 min | Pillar: Smart Renting
This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, contact a tenancy advocate or solicitor in your state.
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You've found the perfect rental. You've attended the inspection. Now the agent wants 100 points of ID — and you're not sure what counts, what you need, or why they're asking.
The 100-point ID check is standard practice across Australian rental applications. Get it right and your application moves forward. Get it wrong — or submit incomplete ID — and you go to the bottom of the pile. This guide explains exactly what counts, how to reach 100 points, and what to do if you don't have the standard documents.
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Quick Answer
The 100-point ID check requires documents totalling at least 100 points. An Australian passport (70 points) plus a driver's licence (40 points) gives you 110 points — the simplest combination. If you don't have a passport, a birth certificate (70 points) plus a driver's licence (40 points) also works. Always aim to exceed 100 points.
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Why Agents Require 100 Points of ID
The 100-point check is used to verify your identity and reduce the risk of rental fraud. It's the same system used by banks and government agencies. For rental applications, it helps property managers confirm:
- You are who you say you are
- Your identity documents are genuine
- Your rental history and references can be verified against your actual identity
It's not about distrust — it's standard practice, and every applicant goes through it.
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The 100-Point ID System: Document Values
### Primary Documents (70 Points Each)
These are your highest-value documents. One primary document gets you most of the way there.
| Document | Points | |----------|--------| | Australian passport (current or expired within 2 years) | 70 | | Foreign passport (current) | 70 | | Australian birth certificate | 70 | | Australian citizenship certificate | 70 | | Pension card (issued by DVA) | 70 |
### Secondary Documents (40 Points Each)
These are government-issued photo ID documents.
| Document | Points | |----------|--------| | Australian driver's licence | 40 | | Australian learner's permit | 40 | | Proof of age card (government-issued) | 40 | | Medicare card | 25 |
### Supporting Documents (25 Points Each)
These supplement your primary and secondary documents.
| Document | Points | |----------|--------| | Medicare card | 25 | | Credit or debit card (with name) | 25 | | Council rates notice | 25 | | Utility bill (electricity, gas, water) | 25 | | Bank statement (recent, with name and address) | 25 | | Centrelink card | 25 | | Student ID card | 25 | | Employment ID card | 25 |
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The Easiest Combinations to Reach 100 Points
| Combination | Points | |-------------|--------| | Australian passport + driver's licence | 70 + 40 = 110 ✅ | | Birth certificate + driver's licence | 70 + 40 = 110 ✅ | | Foreign passport + driver's licence | 70 + 40 = 110 ✅ | | Australian passport + Medicare card | 70 + 25 = 95 ❌ (need more) | | Birth certificate + Medicare card + bank statement | 70 + 25 + 25 = 120 ✅ | | Driver's licence + Medicare card + 2 utility bills | 40 + 25 + 25 + 25 = 115 ✅ |
Always aim for 110+ points — exceeding 100 shows thoroughness and removes any doubt.
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What If You Don't Have Standard Documents?
### No Australian Passport
Use your birth certificate (70 points) as your primary document. If you were born overseas, use your foreign passport.
### No Driver's Licence
Use a government-issued proof of age card (40 points) as your secondary document. Available from your state's transport authority.
### New to Australia (International Renter)
- Foreign passport (70 points) + visa documentation
- International driver's licence (check if accepted — varies by agent)
- Bank statements from your home country (supporting document)
- Employment contract or letter from Australian employer
Tip for international renters: Agents may ask for additional documentation to verify your right to rent in Australia. Have your visa grant notice ready.
### No Fixed Address (Recently Arrived)
If you don't yet have utility bills or bank statements at your new address, use: - A letter from your employer confirming your address - A statutory declaration confirming your address - Bank statements from your previous address (recent)
### Young Renter (Under 25, No Passport)
- Birth certificate (70 points)
- Learner's permit or proof of age card (40 points)
- Medicare card (25 points)
- Bank statement (25 points)
Total: 160 points ✅
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Tips for Submitting Your ID
### Quality Matters
- Scan or photograph documents clearly — blurry photos get rejected
- Ensure all four corners of the document are visible
- Use good lighting — no shadows or glare
- For colour documents (passport photo page, driver's licence), submit in colour
### What to Submit
- Certified copies are sometimes required — check with the agent
- Digital copies are accepted by most online application platforms (1Form, Ignite, Snug)
- Originals may be required for in-person applications
### Privacy and Security
- Never email unencrypted copies of your passport or birth certificate
- Use secure application platforms (1Form, Ignite, Snug) rather than email where possible
- Ask the agent how your documents will be stored and when they'll be destroyed
⚠️ Important: Agents have no legitimate reason to ask for your Tax File Number (TFN). Do not provide it. If an agent asks for your TFN, this is a red flag.
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What Agents Can and Cannot Ask For
### Agents CAN ask for: - Government-issued photo ID - Proof of income (payslips, tax returns, bank statements) - Rental history and references - Employment details
### Agents CANNOT ask for: - Tax File Number (TFN) - Information about your race, religion, or national origin (for discriminatory purposes) - Medical information (unless directly relevant to the tenancy) - Information about your family planning intentions
If you believe an agent is asking for information they're not entitled to, contact your state's anti-discrimination body or tenancy authority.
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The Tenant Passport: A Better Way to Verify Your Identity
A Tenant Passport is a portable, verified rental history that you build once and share with any property manager — instantly. It includes your verified identity, rental history, payment record, and references in a single, professional document.
Instead of scrambling to gather 100 points of ID for every application, your Tenant Passport presents your verified identity and rental credentials in one place — giving property managers confidence before they've made a single phone call.
💡 RentWize Tip: Build your Tenant Passport with RentWize — verified identity, rental history, and references in one portable document. Share it with any property manager, instantly. [Build your Tenant Passport →](https://rentwize.com.au)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to provide original documents or copies? A: Most online applications accept digital copies. Some agents may ask for certified copies or originals for in-person applications. Check with the agent.
Q: What is a certified copy? A: A certified copy is a photocopy that has been signed and dated by an authorised person (JP, solicitor, police officer, etc.) confirming it's a true copy of the original. You can get documents certified at Australia Post, police stations, or by a Justice of the Peace.
Q: Can an agent reject my application because of my ID documents? A: An agent can reject an application if you can't reach 100 points or if your documents appear invalid. They cannot reject you based on your nationality or the type of documents you hold (e.g., foreign passport vs. Australian passport).
Q: How long do agents keep my ID documents? A: This varies by agency. Under Australian privacy law, personal information should only be kept as long as necessary. Ask the agent about their data retention policy.
Q: What if my driver's licence has my old address? A: This is fine — agents understand that addresses change. Your driver's licence is still valid as an identity document even if the address is outdated.
Q: Do I need to provide ID for every application? A: Yes — each application requires its own ID submission. However, platforms like 1Form store your documents securely so you can reuse them across multiple applications.
Q: Can I use a digital driver's licence? A: Some agents accept digital driver's licences (available in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, and ACT). Check with the agent — acceptance varies.
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Related Articles
- [How to Write a Rental Application That Gets Accepted →](/how-to-write-rental-application)
- [Rental Cover Letter Template That Actually Works →](/rental-cover-letter-template)
- [The Pet Resume Template Landlords Actually Like →](/pet-resume-template)
- [Rental Inspection Checklist: How to Pass Every Time →](/rental-inspection-checklist)
- [Renting with Pets in NSW: Your Rights Explained →](/renting-with-pets-nsw)
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Your Identity. Your Rental History. One Passport.
RentWize's Tenant Passport combines your verified identity and rental history into a single, portable document — so you never have to scramble for ID again. Stand out from 50+ applicants before the property manager makes a single call.
[Build your Tenant Passport with RentWize →](https://rentwize.com.au)
Don't get stung. Get Wize.
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This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, contact a tenancy advocate or solicitor in your state.
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