This is Benson
Benson has been sleeping rough in Canberra for about 6 months now
and needs to get some ID to apply for public housing
But in all the moving around
Benson only has a few documents with him and can’t find his passport
or his birth certificate which he was told he needed
We can help
Normally you need a passport or birth certificate to get an ACT Proof of Identity card
But if you have been homeless, or can’t find them
there are other ways to get an ID card
and our team at Street Law can help
First you need to work out exactly what forms of ID you can find
Access Canberra will accept: Driver’s licence
Medicare Card
Centrelink or Pension Card
Bank, Debit or Credit Card
Working with Vulnerable Peoples Card
Health Care Card
Student ID
Marriage certificate
Foreign passport
Bills or letters with your current address
You should get together as many of these forms of ID as you have
If you can’t find any
usually your bank will be able to reissue you with a bank card
if you go into the local branch and answer some questions
Centrelink should also be able to give you a Centrelink card if you visit a local office
Please contact Street Law for assistance if you cannot get any ID at all
Then, you need to go to an Access Canberra office near you
When you get to your local Access Canberra Centre
explain that you do not have a birth certificate or passport
but you have brought all the other forms of ID you can find
There is a small cost for Access Canberra to process your application
Check the cost with Access Canberra or Street Law
You will need to pay with a bankcard, not cash
If you have any trouble, and you are experiencing
or at risk of homelessness in the ACT
contact Street Law and a lawyer like Michelle can help you speak with Access Canberra
Once you have your Proof of Identity card
we may also be able to help you apply and pay for your Australian birth certificate