1.1 Applicants must supply documents or information from different sources. The only acceptable combinations are: One Category A document plus one document (excluding Category D) which, in combination, confirm name and address; One Category A document and a Centrelink or Veteran’s Affairs verification of income document which, in combination, confirm name and address; At least three Category B or C documents which, in combination, confirm name and address.

1.2 The address shown on any document must be identical to the address shown on the application form and other Category A documents. Dependents If necessary, the identity and number of dependents can be established by a letter to the applicant from Centrelink giving the names of the dependents for which the applicant is receiving Family Allowances.

Documents Sent by Mail

2. Department of Housing will accept POI documents sent through the mail.

2.1 While documents are acceptable when sent through the mail, because of the valuable nature of the documents, Department of Housing would prefer them to be presented in person and applicants will be encouraged to present applications personally where remoteness or disability is not a factor.

2.2 Any Department of Housing mail room receiving POI documents will observe the following procedure:

• The documents will be recorded in a special register immediately;
• They will be photocopied and stamped immediately;
• They will be returned to the applicant by registered post on the same day;
• Photocopies and stamped copies of POI documents will be attached to the application and forwarded to the relevant applications section.

Applicants Born Overseas

3 Applicants may tender documents from and in the language of their country of birth.

3.1 These are unacceptable unless accompanied by a passport or other official document, detailing name at entry and resident status in Australia.

3.2 Documents tendered in languages other than English must be translated by a recognised translator service at the applicant’s cost before being tendered. The translation and the other language document (or photocopies) must be placed on file.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

4. Where feasible, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants will furnish the same POI as other applicants.

Identity Not Established

5. Applicants unable to establish identity to Department of Housing’s satisfaction and whose application has been rejected will have their POI documents and application assessed by Tier One of Department of Housing’s Appeals Mechanism, who will determine the acceptability of POI documentation.

5.1 Applicants must be advised of their right to appeal.

5.2 Bond Assistance Loan (BAL) only. Applicants who are unable to raise the required number of combination of identity documents, will have their documents and circumstances examined by the Manager Bond Assistance, Manager Customer Service or Assistant Regional Manager for immediate approval. If documents are not approved, applicant may appeal through Department of Housing appeals process.

POI (Proof of Identiy) for Subsequent Applications

6. Applicants making a subsequent application may have their original application classed as one Category A document.

6.1 This will apply to applicants whose application has been withdrawn and not reinstated due to such reasons as being past turn for assistance.

6.2 If Department of Housing no longer holds the original application, this will not apply.

6.3 The signature on the original application must match the signature on the new application.

6.4 This will only apply where POI was fully established with the original application.

POI DOCUMENTATION
Category A
Documents in this category are regarded as sound because of the difficulty in obtaining them and because they are less likely to be stolen or illegally obtained.

• Australian passport.
• Certificate of Australian Citizenship.
• Citizenship papers.
• Overseas passport stamped for entry to Australia.
• Original Australian birth certificate for claimant issued more than five years ago.
• Original Australian birth certificate for claimant’s child issued more than five years ago.
• Australian birth extract issued more than five years ago.
• Document of identity issued by Department of Foreign Affairs.

• Child or partner’s original death certificate issued by a government department more than five years ago which shows the applicant’s name.
• Australian Armed Services discharge documents.
• Previous Department of Housing record of application if POI was satisfactory and if claimant can confirm details held on these records. The signature on the claim form must match the signature on any previous file papers.

Category B
These are acceptable documents either because of their personal nature or because of the time they need to be held.

• Original Australian Marriage Certificate issued by a government department.
• Apprenticeship indenture papers.
• Tradesperson’s Certificate of Proficiency.
• Nurse’s Registration Board documents.
• Divorce papers.
• Original Australian Birth Certificate for claimant issued between one and five years ago.
• Original Australian Birth Certificate for claimant’s child issued between one and five years ago.
• Australian Birth Extract issued between one and five years ago.
• Taxation assessment notice.
• Life Insurance policies.
• Change of name (by Deed Poll) more than twelve months old.

• Legal documents such as Restraining Order, Peace Order, Adoption papers, Maintenance agreement, attested Will, Power of Attorney and document of appointment as a JP.
• Child or partner’s original Death Certificate issued by a government department between one and five years ago, which shows the applicant’s name.

Category C
These documents are similar to Category B documents. The difference is that these are only acceptable with qualifications. This category of document should be treated with caution and dealt with in accordance with instructions.

• Prisoner Discharge Certificate (offered on release).
• Hire Purchase agreement, if authenticity is validated.
• Letter from a government department, provided address on the letter matches address on the application.
• Current medical contributions book that is more than 12 months old.
• Motoring organisation membership document that is more than 12 months old, as long as address matches that on the application.
• Bankbook, Credit Union or Building Society accounts showing transactions for at least 12 months.
• Overseas documents if they are offered with a passport stamped for entry to Australia.
• Motor Vehicle Registration papers, showing a cash register imprint as long as they show the same address as that on the application.
• Motor Vehicle Driver’s License as long as they show the same address as that on the application.

• Insurance renewal documents as long as they show the same address as that on the application.
• Change of name, which is less than 12 months old, if offered in conjunction with other, documents showing new name for more than 12 months. This must be accompanied by documents showing that the client was using the new name before changing it legally.
• Legal documents such as: Summons, Bail papers or Traffic Infringement notice, if offered with Motor Vehicle Registration papers.
• Electricity account if address matches claim and there is a cash register imprint.
• Telecom account if address matches claim and there is a cash register imprint.

Category D
Category D documents are those which are NOT ACCEPTABLE to the Department under any circumstances. They are not acceptable because they have no intrinsic value, are usually cheap to obtain and invariably have little or no control at the point of issue.

• Birth Certificate issued less than 12 months ago.
• Birth Extract issued less than 12 months ago.
• Group Certificates are unacceptable unless all of the checks at Category C are carried out.
• Marriage Certificate issued by a Church or non-government body.
• Learner’s Permit/Provisional Driver’s License.
• Employer ID card.
• Student card.
• Electricity, Phone or Gas account, if address does not match claim and the account has no cash register imprint.
• Baptismal certificate.
• Bankbook, Credit Union, Building Society accounts less than 12 months old.

• Credit card.
• Automatic bank teller card.
• Library card.
• Medicare card.
• Union card.
• Shooter’s/Fishing License.
• Video Club membership.
• Sporting awards.
• Social Club membership.
• Youth Hostel card.
• Hospital outpatients card.
• Airline ticket.