Monday, 19 February 2024
Austroads has issued an expression of interest (EOI) for IT companies interested in delivering the next generation of a Digital Trust Service for verifiable credentials.
Austroads is a longstanding authority in verifying Australian driver licenses, having played a pivotal role in the National Document Verification Service (DVS). This transformative initiative to harmonise digital driver licences across all jurisdictions will ensure international alignment and contribute to the growth of knowledge and capability in Australia.
Austroads is seeking to set up a Digital Trust Service (DTS) that establishes and manages a national trust list of issuers of interoperable mobile driver licences (also called digital driver licences) and photo IDs.
Among other requirements, the DTS will develop and maintain the necessary trust framework, security controls, relevant policies, and standards as it relates to digital credentials and identity.
“The service will facilitate partnerships between jurisdictions and industry by establishing an innovation sandpit for all of industry and government to safely trial and test innovative technology, use cases and products,” said Dr Kirsten McKillop, Austroads Director of Digital Identity.
Austroads seeks four capabilities from the market:
- A Digital Trust Service for verifiable credentials partner. This will allow any Australian to securely verify their digital credentials in any state or territory starting with digital licences and photo IDs.
- Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) as a Service. This will allow state and territory governments to buy strong, cost-effective and secure encryption services to protect their credentials.
- National Exchange of Vehicle Driver Information System (NEVDIS) populated verified credential. Since 2009, NEVDIS has provided verification of Australian driver licences (more than 2 million monthly) on behalf of the Document Verification System (DVS). Austroads seeks to partner with a vendor to work with our members to create a reusable, highly secure onboarding process for credentials for off the shelf phone/app store digital wallets.
- Deliver an international showcase using the above platforms to demonstrate global interoperability on a range of use cases for verifiable credentials. Examples of use cases using a digital driver licence could include:
- passwordless authentication to a website with the ability to make payments online
- signing legal documents such as a bill of sale or mortgage document
- supporting a grant or rebate credential that can be used as a disaster payment or voucher as part of a government fiscal stimulus strategy.
“We are also working closely with international counterparts to showcase how European and North American credentials can interoperate and be verified here in Australia and overseas without needing to share data,” said Christopher Goh, Austroads National Harmonisation Lead – Digital Identity.
The showcases will be in October 2024 with details to be announced closer to the date. Austroads previously co-hosted this event with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads in Brisbane in December 2022.
A forum in Sydney on 26 February 2024 will provide an opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification on direction, architecture and solution requirements. Participants can attend the forum in person or online.
Vendors interested in responding to the EOI and participating in the forum will find more information at austroads.com.au/tenders.