When will every Australian get a digital driver’s licence? Here’s what no one’s telling you

Millions of Australians are already flashing their digital driver's licences from their smartphones, leaving others stuck with their scuffed plastic cards.

The uneven rollout has created a frustrating postcode lottery—and sparked political squabbles over who’s to blame for the delay.

As some states race ahead, others are still treading water, waiting for a national standard to catch up.

South Australia first hit the accelerator in October 2017, with New South Wales following two years later, Queensland joining in late 2023, and Victoria launching its statewide rollout in May 2024.

But three jurisdictions—the ACT, Western Australia, and until recently, the Northern Territory—have stayed parked on the sidelines of this digital revolution.

The ACT’s cautious gamble

The ACT has become a focal point in the debate, with its government insisting on a ‘cautious approach’ while critics accuse it of bureaucratic delay.

Finance Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith famously compared the decision to the Beta versus VHS format war of the 1980s, warning against investing in the wrong technology.

‘Some will be too young, maybe, to remember this, but what we want to avoid is investing in a Beta video recorder just as we realise that the rest of the world is moving to VHS as standard,’ she told The Canberra Times.

Her analogy hit home for many.

With 349,730 licence holders in the ACT, officials argue that rolling out an isolated system now could waste money if Australia later adopts a unified digital licence standard.

The debate reached boiling point when Liberal MP Ed Cocks successfully pushed a motion for the rollout, winning rare tripartisan support.

‘I hope when she goes into that negotiating room, she brings a little bit more enthusiasm to the possibilities and the positive future that this could bring,’ Cocks said, urging the Finance Minister to act faster.

National harmony on the horizon

Yet the ACT’s cautious stance may soon pay off.

Austroads has been working behind the scenes with all states and territories to ensure their systems align under the ISO 18013-5 international standard.

This global framework—planned for launch between 2025 and 2026—will guarantee that digital licences are secure, consistent, and recognised nationwide.

The technology is already proving its worth, with delegates from Europe, the United States, and Australia successfully testing cross-border verification at U.S. airport security checkpoints during a recent summit in Sydney.

What this means for your daily life

For seniors and others tired of rummaging for their ID, the appeal is obvious.

Digital licences mean no more bulky wallets or misplaced cards when picking up prescriptions, visiting the bank, or collecting parcels.

Enhanced encryption and real-time verification will safeguard personal data while reducing the risk of fraud—a major concern for older Australians wary of digital identity theft.

Once the system is fully interoperable, users will even be able to present their ID seamlessly across state borders or in participating countries abroad.

The momentum is building

Momentum is building nationwide.

The Northern Territory recently announced a $20.66 million budget for digital licences, with trials set to begin in late 2025.

That leaves Western Australia and the ACT as the last jurisdictions without firm rollout dates.

The ACT government has committed to releasing a progress report by December 2026, mapping out when residents can expect digital licences.

Collaboration with other states—especially New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia—is already underway to address enforcement and venue verification across borders.

The bigger picture

The broader vision extends well beyond convenience.

The digital licence rollout marks a crucial step in Australia’s modernisation of digital identity infrastructure, integrating with biometric verification systems and international standards for secure data exchange.

While the wait may frustrate those left behind, the coordinated approach promises a stronger, more unified national system in the long run.

After all, as the Finance Minister’s Beta versus VHS analogy reminds us, sometimes the slow route leads to a smoother finish.

While the shift to digital licences promises fewer hassles and greater security, keeping track of licence details still requires attention.

Even small oversights—like missing a renewal notice—can quickly turn into expensive mistakes.

One recent story highlights just how costly that can be when a simple lapse goes unnoticed.

Read more: Check your licences: Local woman's licence oversight costs her over $650

Would you trust your digital driver’s licence over a plastic one—or do you still prefer the old-school reliability of the card in your wallet?