SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER
MINISTER FOR FINANCE
MINISTER FOR WOMEN
MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE
MINISTER FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES

THE HON CLARE O'NEIL MP
MINISTER FOR HOUSING 
MINISTER FOR HOMELESSNESS
MINISTER FOR CITIES 

THE HON DR DAN MULINO MP 
ASSISTANT TREASURER AND MINISTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES 

PROTECTING RENTERS AND MAKING APPLICATIONS EASIER

The Albanese Labor Government will make it easier and safer for Australians to apply for rental properties and remove the need to hand over large amounts of personal documents.

Accredited Digital ID providers, CDR data recipients and real estate entities are working with the government as part of the pilot to make it easier and safer to prove who you are when applying for a rental.

Instead of giving a real estate agent copies of your driver’s licence or passport, you’ll be able to confirm your identity online with the click of a button.

Applicants will also be able to show they can afford the rent using the Consumer Data Right (CDR). Rather than handing over bank statements or payslips, renters can securely share verified financial data directly with the agent.

By reducing paperwork and limiting how much personal data renters need to share, the process will be faster, safer and easier for everyone involved.

Quotes attributable to Minister Gallagher

“The Albanese Labor Government is making applications easier and safer for renters trying to get into their new home.

“Applying for a rental shouldn’t take hours and it shouldn’t require mountains of sensitive information like your passport and fortnightly pay slips.“This pilot is a no brainer – it will make people’s lives easier, reduce the risk of data theft, and reduce the burden placed on the real-estate industry.

“This is the latest example of our Government’s focus on using technology to drive better outcomes for people and businesses alike”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities, Clare O'Neil:

“This builds on the leadership taken by the Albanese Government to strengthen renters’ rights across the country.

"National Cabinet’s Better Deal for Renters is driving change in every state and territory. As a result, most states have now banned ‘no grounds’ evictions, limited rent increases to once per year and set minimum rental standards.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Treasurer, Dr Daniel Mulino MP:

“Pilot programs offer new opportunities for government to work with industry to demonstrate impactful and cost-effective solutions for consumers and services across the economy.

“This pilot will help to better protect the personal information of consumers and save them time when accessing important services such as housing.

“It will also give government an opportunity to make sure we’ve got the settings and regulation right to support investments by business in these solutions.

Quotes attributable to Canberran renter Georgie*:

“My roommates and I applied for approximately 7 to ten rental properties before securing the current house.

“It took quite a few hours to get all of the documents together to prove my identity and that I can afford the rent. As I lived away from home in University college, I had to ask my college for documents, my workplace, my parents, et cetera. Having to wait for references and documents from my college and workplace took a few days. 

“The most frustrating part was collecting all the documents to submit for the first application. Once you did it once, it was easy to do it again, but I remember the first application took days for us to complete. 

“I don’t love the idea of sharing private documents, and I work in cyber security, so I am more aware of the risks. However, it is something that I had to come to terms with when applying for rental properties unfortunately. 

“The trial using MyID and CDR-service will provide numerous benefits to a range of people as it would streamline the rental application process, especially when students like myself also work full time jobs.”

ENDS