How to verify your client's identity

Verification of Identity (VOI) is an Australian Registrars’ National Electronic Conveyancing Council (ARNECC) requirement for banks to identify their customers prior to registering a mortgage with the state/territory land titles registries. It is also required for banks to satisfy their obligations for Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) purposes.

As part of your agreement with Macquarie, you’ll need to:

• Verify your client’s identity digitally using NextGenID in ApplyOnline. If your client is unable to digitally verify their identity, VOI will need to be completed manually and in-person by completing our Home Loan Identification Form
• Maintain and retrieve any information or documentation relating to an application in an auditable manner for seven years from the date the loan is repaid
• Provide any information or documentation regarding the introduction, identification, or verification of a client if we request it. Please note, this information must be provided within 72 hours from the time of request. 
  
  

Documents to use identity verification

A valid Australian driver’s licence and a valid passport can be used to verify your client’s identity. Australian passports can be expired for up to two years for identity verification purposes.   

If your client doesn’t have a valid Australian driver’s licence or valid passport, you can submit two government-issued documents (such as a Medicare card or birth certificate) alongside an Australian driver’s licence or passport.
 

How to capture identification

Use one of the following options to help you capture identification, applicant consent and your broker declaration:  
 

Digital ID using NextGenID

A secure digital experience to verify your client’s identity in person or remotely. With NextGenID the process is:

• completed via your client’s mobile phone
• requires valid and physical forms of ID
• reduces your manual input of identification documents into ApplyOnline
• can be used for multiple applications.

Learn more about NextGenID.

Manual Home Loan Identification Form

If your client is unable to complete digital ID, an in-person manual verification of identity can be completed using our Home Loan Identification Form.

As part of this process we’ll need you to:

• Complete the Home Loan Identification Form for VOI and AML purposes
• Sight and certify genuine original documents (photocopies are not acceptable). VOI must be completed for all applicants
• Ensure the client is the same person shown in the photo ID documents and their name is identical to the name on the loan application and is consistent across all documents. A marriage or change of name certificate will need to be provided if applicable.
   

Australia Post identity check 

Identity verified by Australia Post:

• Available at authorised post offices   
• Cost: $39 .

Birth certificate: Where the customer doesn’t have a full birth certificate, they should endeavour to meet one of the other identity options set out in our VOI and AML/CTF form instead. 

Visa types: We generally accept all visa types that demonstrate your client’s Australian permanent residency. Loans are subject to credit approval. 

 Two primary documents: As we only have a small branch network, we’re unable to identify clients face to face. They need to supply two primary forms of identification to be properly identified so that we meet safe harbour. 

Different names on their identity documents: All identity documents provided should have matching names. Where there are discrepancies between names, we will require a marriage certificate or change of name certificate to explain the discrepancy. 

Documents issued overseas: Expats and foreign resident borrowers still need to undertake the VOI in-person interview in Australia or at an overseas Australian High Commission/Consulate/Embassy. The borrower will also still need to provide the identification documents set out in our VOI and AML/CTF form. If the identity documents are not in English, an appropriate translation certificate will need to be provided from a registered licensed translation service domiciled in Australia. 
 

Is VOI the same as AML?  

While VOI and AML both involve verifying the identity of the customer, they have different document requirements. Our VOI and AML/CTF form allows for both AML and VOI to be conducted. 

We cannot accept an incomplete VOI and AML/CTF form. When a land titles registrar is registering a mortgage and is not satisfied by how VOI was conducted, they can refuse to register the mortgage. Land titles registrars can also remove registered mortgages if they’re subsequently dissatisfied with how VOI was initially conducted.  

You’ll need the Land Title Verification of Identity form (Australia Post).  

This form is used to perform an identity verification for property and land purchase, sale and transfers.