Proof of identity

Keeping your account secure is a responsibility we don't take lightly.

Identifying people is an important part of our obligation to prevent fraud, money laundering, and terrorism financing in Australia, so you may need to prove your identity (ID) before we can process some requests, including:

• Applying for a withdrawal, benefit payment, or transfer
• Applying to open an Income Stream or Beneficiary Account
• Asking us to change your name in our records, and
• Changing the bank account you nominate for withdrawals and pension or income stream payments.

We may also need to identify non-members as part of a Family Law or insurance claim.

Verification of your proof of ID is effective for a year. During that 12 months, you generally won't need to provide your identification again for subsequent requests unless your details change (e.g. your name, bank account, etc.). However, because verifying our members' identities is an important security measure in protecting your benefits, you will need to verify your identity for relevant requests received after that 12 months. We may also ask you to provide additional proof of ID at any time if required.

There's two ways you can provide proof of your identity:

1. Electronic ID verification through Members Online
2. Providing ESSSuper with physical certified copies of documents.

Providing proof of ID electronically

Through Members Online you can provide your proof of ID electronically. If your name and either your date of birth or residential address (or both) in our records match the details on your documents, you can verify your identity online by providing the details of two government-issued ID documents such as your Australian passport, driver's licence, and/or Medicare card.

This only takes a few minutes and is part of making a request through Members Online (when required).

Physical certified copies of ID documents

You can send certified copies of your ID documents to us by post or bring them to our office in person if you:

• Don't have access to Members Online
• Aren't a member of ESSSuper, or
• Need to provide document types which are unavailable through Members Online.

Please note:

• Please only post certified copies of your proof of ID to ESSSuper. Do not send your original documents.
• You must include your membership details (e.g. member number or account ID) when providing physical certified copies of ID documents. This could be by including the document with a form or cover letter, or writing on the document in a place which does not obscure any details. This is not a regulatory requirement, but is essential to adequately identifying that the document belongs to you and can be included with your request.

What is a certified copy?

A certified copy is simply a photocopy of your ID (including front and back if required) that has been verified by an authorised certifier. They will add notes and sign the copy to verify that it is a genuine and accurate copy of the original ID document.

How are documents certified?

You can get your proof of ID documents certified in three steps:

1. Organise your documents and work out what proof of ID you need to provide
2. Take the original and a clear copy of your selected documents to an approved certifier who will verify that the original documents have been sighted and that the copies are true and accurate copies of the originals, and
3. Ensure that the certifier sights the original, signs the copy confirming it is a true copy of the original, and provides their name, the date of certification, and the category/occupation that qualifies them to certify documents.

What does a valid certification look like?

When checking if your document has been certified correctly, you need to ensure the certifier has:

• Written or stamped the words "I certify that this document is a true copy of the original" or "Certified true copy"
• Written or stamped their full name
• Written or stamped their qualification to verify themselves as an authorised certifier, and their registration number associated with the qualification (if applicable)
• Signed the document
• Dated the document within the last 12 months, and
• Certified all pages of the identification document

Example:

Each page of the copy must be certified as a true and complete copy of the corresponding page of the original document, except for the last page which must be certified to the effect that the copy of the document is a true and complete copy of the original document.

Acceptable documents as proof of ID

For most requests, a current Australian driver's licence, passport, or proof of age card containing your photo (issued under a state or territory law) are all acceptable forms of identification.

We can also accept a current driver's licence, passport or similar travel document issued by a foreign government, if it contains your photo and signature. Any documents not in English must be accompanied by an English translation prepared by a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd (NAATI).

If you're unable to produce one of the identity documents listed above, you have the option to provide two documents: one from each of lists A and B below.

Who can certify documents?

More information

The information we need to verify your documents

Your full name and either your date of birth or your residential address (or both) on the documents you provide must match the details we have for you in our records. If the details don't match, or the documents you provide are out of date, we won't be able to use the documents to verify your identity. You will need to provide a certified copy of your current documents.

If your details in our records don't match the details on your documents

If the residential address we have on file for you isn't correct, you can edit/update this in the My details section of Members Online.

If your name and date of birth in our records (you can check these in the My details section of Members Online) don't match the details on your documents, you will need to update what we have on file:

• Name: Download a Change of name form, available in the Forms section of Members Online. The completed form and a certified copy of your identification/linking document(s) must be posted to ESSSuper at the address on the form.
• Date of birth: Please contact us.

A linking document proves a relationship exists between two (or more) names. For a change of name, suitable linking documents include:

• A marriage certificate or certificate of registration (if you are on a relationship register) issued by the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Office (ceremonial certificates cannot be accepted)
• A deed poll or change of name certificate from the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Office.

If you've reverted to your maiden name, we will require your marriage certificate (from the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Office) showing your original maiden name and your married name.

Note: To transfer your super into or out of ESSSuper, your details in our records must match your details with the other super fund.

Acting on behalf of a member

If you're submitting a form on behalf of an ESSSuper member, you will need to provide:

• A certified copy of the Guardianship papers or Power of Attorney
• A certified copy of your proof of identity as the holder of the Guardianship or Power of Attorney, and
• A certified copy of the member's proof of identity.

Each page of the copy must be certified as a true and complete copy of the corresponding page of the original document, except for the last page which must be certified to the effect that the copy of the document is a true and complete copy of the original document.

The information on this page is a guide only and we may request additional details or documentation if required.