You can add your Australian driver's license to Apple Wallet on compatible iPhones and Apple Watches, but only if your state or territory supports the feature and your license meets the requirements

Apple Wallet in Australia currently supports digital driver's licenses in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. Other states and territories are expected to follow, but the rollout is gradual. To add your license, you need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or later model, or an Apple Watch Series 9 or later. Your physical license must be current and valid — expired, suspended, or cancelled licenses cannot be added.

The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and involves scanning your physical license, taking a selfie for identity verification, and answering security questions. Apple stores the digital version on your device and encrypts it. You do not upload your license to Apple's servers; the data stays on your phone or watch.

Key Takeaways

  • Digital driver's licenses are available in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland through Apple Wallet, with other states rolling out later.
  • You need an iPhone 15 Pro or later, or an Apple Watch Series 9 or later, to store a digital license.
  • Your physical license must be current and valid; suspended, cancelled, or expired licenses cannot be added to Wallet.
  • The setup process requires you to scan your license, take a selfie, and answer security questions for identity verification.
  • Police and authorised officials can view your digital license on your device without touching your phone or accessing other data.

Which Australian states and territories support digital licenses

New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland have launched digital driver's license support in Apple Wallet. NSW began the rollout in 2023, followed by Victoria and Queensland in 2024. The feature is not yet available in South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, or the Australian Capital Territory, though each state has indicated plans to introduce it.

Availability within each state is also rolling out in stages. Not every person in NSW, Victoria, or Queensland can add their license when ready — the feature may be limited to certain age groups, license types, or postcodes during early phases. Check the official transport authority website for your state to confirm whether you can add your license now.

Device requirements and compatibility

Your iPhone must be an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or a newer model. Standard iPhone 15 models do not support digital driver's licenses. If you want to store your license on an Apple Watch, you need a Series 9 or later model paired with a compatible iPhone.

Your device must also be running the current version of iOS or watchOS. Before you start, go to Settings, tap General, then Software Update to check whether your device is up to date. If you are using an older iPhone or Apple Watch, you will not be able to add a digital license, even if your state supports the feature.

How to add your license step by step

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the plus icon in the top right corner. Select "Driver's License or State ID" from the menu. The app will ask you to choose your state or territory; select the one that issued your license.

Next, position your physical license in front of your device's camera and scan the front and back. The app will read the information printed on your license. After scanning, you will be asked to take a selfie for identity verification. Make sure you are in good lighting and your face is clearly visible. The app uses facial recognition to confirm that the person in the selfie matches the photo on your license.

You will then answer a series of security questions to verify your identity. These questions are based on information from your license and your state's records — for example, you might be asked to confirm your address or date of birth. Answer honestly; incorrect answers will block you from completing the process.

Once verification is complete, your digital license appears in Wallet. You can view it, set it as your default payment method if you choose, and share it with police or officials when asked. The entire process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.

What happens when police or officials ask to see your license

When a police officer or authorised official asks to see your license, open Wallet, select your digital license, and hold your iPhone or Apple Watch up to their device. They use a special reader to view your license information without touching your phone or accessing any other data on your device. Your personal information — contacts, messages, banking apps, photos — remains completely private.

You remain in control of what information is shown. The reader can only access the fields that appear on a standard physical license: your name, date of birth, license number, address, and photo. No additional data is transmitted.

Keeping your digital license find

Your digital license is protected by the same security features as your iPhone or Apple Watch — Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode. If your phone is locked, an official cannot view your license without you unlocking it first. If your device is stolen, you can remotely disable the digital license through Find My iPhone.

If your physical license is lost, stolen, or cancelled, you should remove the digital version from Wallet when ready. Open Wallet, press and hold your digital license, tap the three dots, and select "Remove." You can add a new digital license once you receive a replacement physical license from your state's transport authority.

What to do if your state does not yet support digital licenses

If you live in South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, or the Australian Capital Territory, you cannot add your license to Apple Wallet yet. You will need to carry your physical license when driving or when asked by police. Check your state's transport authority website periodically for updates on when digital licenses will become available.

In the meantime, keep your physical license in a safe place and carry it whenever you drive. Some people photograph their license as a backup, though a photo is not a legal substitute for the physical document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my physical license once I add it to Apple Wallet?

No. You must carry your physical license at all times when driving, even after you add a digital version to Wallet. The digital license is a convenience, not a replacement. Police may ask to see either or both versions.

What if my iPhone is out of battery when police ask to see my license?

If your device is powered off or the battery is dead, you cannot show your digital license. This is why you must always carry your physical license. If you are stopped and cannot show either version, you may face a fine or other penalty depending on your state's laws.

Can I add someone else's license to my Apple Wallet?

No. Each person must add their own license to their own device. The setup process requires a selfie and identity verification, so you can only add a license that belongs to you.

What if I move to a different state?

If you move and get a new license issued by a different state, you will need to remove the old digital license from Wallet and add the new one. The process is the same as the initial setup.

Is my digital license valid if I am overseas?

Your digital license is stored on your device and does not depend on internet connection, so it works overseas. However, foreign police and officials may not have readers compatible with Apple Wallet. Always carry your physical license when travelling internationally.