The Western Australian government has allocated $28.2 million to introduce digital driver’s licences through the ServiceWA smartphone application, with the system expected to be fully operational by the end of 2028. Physical driver’s licences will remain available, and the digital version is optional.
Timeline and Rollout
The rollout is scheduled in phases:
- Mid-2026: A pilot of the digital wallet is planned.
- Mid-2027: A trial of the digital driver’s licence is set to begin.
- Late 2027 to End of 2028: The system is expected to become operational, according to statements from different government sources.
Features and Implementation
- The digital driver’s licence will be contained within the ServiceWA app.
- The government is working to make the licence available in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.
- The system is designed to allow age verification at licensed venues. When scanned, the digital ID can confirm that a person is of age without sharing other personal data.
- Assistant Transport Minister Jessica Stojkovski stated that the digital ID will be optional and that the government has no plans to eliminate physical licences.
Security and Timing
“The digital licences are designed to be safer than physical cards because venues will only receive confirmation of age, not full personal data.”
— Assistant Minister Jessica Stojkovski
According to Assistant Minister Stojkovski, the WA Office of Digital Government will collaborate with licensed venues on how to implement the new licences for age verification.
When asked about Western Australia implementing digital licences later than some other Australian states, Stojkovski cited security concerns as a priority. Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson stated that the digital licence would be built to national and international standards to ensure safety and security.