The ACT Government will be issuing free, new ACT driver licences to local Optus customers deemed most at risk of identity theft or fraud from the recent data breach.

• Hackers release data of 10,000 Optus customers (27 September)

Minister for Business and Better Regulation Tara Cheyne fronted media today to relay details of the breach in relation to ACT residents and the Optus customers most at risk.

Since 1 September 2022 in the ACT, every driver licence issued includes two separate number fields that need to be used together, and match, to verify the licence holder’s identity.

Optus has advised the government that a small number of ACT residents have had both numbers released in the data breach, and these are the Canberrans most at risk of identity theft or fraud. A replacement card is necessary for these residents.

Ms Cheyne said these residents are a “much, much smaller proportion” of customers due to the timing of the change in exposed information on driver licences.

The vast majority of ACT Optus customers have had only one of these fields released in the breach, and the risk of someone using a compromised driver licence for fraudulent purposes is significantly lower.

While Ms Cheyne said this was “good news”, the government believes the number of people affected in the ACT is “in the hundreds” and they are still working with Optus to determine all those impacted.

Customers least impacted will have to pay a fee if they wish to replace their driver licence, but Ms Cheyne said she understands if Canberrans wish to for their “peace of mind”.

The ACT Government has sought assurances from Optus that ACT residents most affected by the breach will be sent a letter by this Friday 30 September to request those people contact Access Canberra and seek to issue a new driver licence.

As soon as a request for a new licence has been sent, the previous licence is deemed invalid and the risk will be seriously mitigated.

Optus will be funding the costs of the new licences and Ms Cheyne said this is “absolutely the right thing to do and the least they can do.”

The affected customers will have their accounts credited with the replacement cost, which is $42.60.

Ms Cheyne said there are still some elements of the breach unknown to the ACT Government and potentially to Optus.

She said the breach has raised “all sorts of questions” about the amount of data held by telecommunication companies and why it is held.

If you have been contacted by Optus and require support, you can contact the Resolution and Support Team by calling 13 22 81 and selecting option one, Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm.

Alternatively, you can visit the Access Canberra Replace Driver Licence page for details on how to replace your driver licence card.

More information, including updated FAQs, can be found at www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au.

Liberals say ACT Government response is ‘just not good enough’

Shadow Minister for Regulatory Services Ed Cocks MLA say the ACT Labor-Greens Government should allow all victims of the Optus hack to replace their driver’s licence like Western Australia and South Australia.

Mr Cocks acknowledged the changes announced were a “step in the right direction” but believes many victims of the hack will still be left
“vulnerable to identity theft and fraud”.

“The ACT Labor-Greens Government are moving too slowly and leaving too many people at risk,” Mr Cocks said.

“This is the third position Labor and the Greens have had in two days. 

“This is unacceptable, and it looks like they have decided a proper response is just too much effort.

“I am concerned about how the Government’s scheme is going to operate. It is arbitrarily limited and there is no doubt that people will fall through the cracks.

“The ACT Labor-Greens Government has admitted that they can change licence numbers when necessary. The question now is why are they unwilling to change them for all affected Canberrans?

“It seems Labor and the Greens are doing the bare minimum and willing to leave a lot of people vulnerable and at risk of identity theft and fraud.

“That’s just not good enough.”

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