The mobile telecommunications industry has worked closely with the Federal Government to produce new ID prepaid identity check forms to assist investigations by police and national security agencies. AMTA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Althaus, said the new prepaid identity check forms would simplify and streamline the current practices of stores being required by law to record customer ID details at the point of sale.

The new common form, which will be used by all retailers, will replace the current practice of using separate forms for each carrier. This should help retailers in their compliance duties.

AMTA has worked closely with Federal Government agencies and the Australian Communications and Media Authority over the past 12 months to improve the data collection processes to record the more than 10 million Australians who choose pre-paid mobile phone services.

AMTA has prepared guidelines for retail store management and checklists to assist retail staff with form completion. AMTA worked closely with 3, Optus, Telstra, Virgin Mobile Australia and Vodafone.

Under Federal Government regulations, the mobile service providers are required to collect, verify and store and, on lawful request, retrieve identity and address information about purchasers and users of pre-paid mobile phone services.

Mr Althaus said the industry had worked closely with Federal authorities in developing a common pre-paid identity check form for use at the point of sale, which was required by law.

The new generic forms would be applicable for all participants in the AMTA process and streamline the supply of important information.

Mr Althaus said: “AMTA and its members recognize industry’s responsibility to work with law enforcement agencies to assist them in pursuing objectives to safeguard our community from security threats and help protect our citizens.

“Industry has stressed the need for practical rules and regulations that do not impose unworkable burdens on business and consumers and result in a high regulatory impact or engagement costs that have to be passed on to consumers.”

The industry’s pre-paid mobile services ID check scheme is designed to facilitate the compliance of carriage service providers for collecting identity information of pre-paid mobile phone service purchasers at the point of sale.

If customers use a credit card to buy their pre-paid service they will not be required to show further proof of identity, however, if they pay with cash, cheque or money order for fewer than five pre-paid mobile services they will have to show either a passport, birth certificate, gun licence, driver’s licence or tertiary student ID card.

Alernatively, two documents, such as a Medicare card, bank passbook, council rate statement or landline telephone bill can be shown.

If customers already have four or more pre-paid mobile services they will have to show proof of ID for the new purchase. This could include either:

Two documents that could include a passport, birth certificate, driver’s licence or a tertiary student ID card or

One document from a passport, birth certificate, gun licence or tertiary student ID card in combination with two documents from a Medicare card, bank account details, council rate statement or a landline telephone bill.

Customers not using a credit card or buying more than four prepaid services will need to take their ID documents to the store when they purchase a prepaid mobile phone. A full list of acceptable identity documents is available on the Australian Communications and Media Authority web site www.acma.gov.au/pre-paid or phone (03) 9963 6800.

AMTA seeks the assistance of retailers in the rollout of the new forms. If there are any questions about the new form or procedures please contact the relevant provider or AMTA.

Download the Guidelines here.

Download the Checklist here.

Download Form for Business, Government or Charity here.

Download Form for Individuals/Private Use here.

Download Sample Completed Form here.

Registered CSPs can order forms here.

FAQs on Prepaid ID Check Forms