Telstra streamlines customer identity checks with adoption of ConnectID
Australian Payments Plus (AP+) and Telstra have partnered to offer identity verification via ConnectID® to customers activating selected Telstra mobile services.
ConnectID lets customers verify their identity online without having to share personal documents.
ConnectID connects organisations that need to verify people’s identity, like Telstra, with existing trusted sources of that information, such as a bank.
Australian banks CBA, NAB, ANZ (through ANZ Plus) and Westpac are now live with ConnectID, which means millions of people in Australia can use their bank to securely and conveniently verify their identity. Instead of uploading a passport or driver licence, people can simply use ConnectID to verify key information like name, age and address for interactions online. As the network provider, ConnectID does not see or store the identity data, it simply acts as a secure verification bridge between the two parties.
It represents a simple step that can speed up the activation process of selected Telstra mobile services and reduce the amount of personal data people are required to share.
Lynn Kraus, Chief Executive Officer AP+ said, "We are delighted to work with Telstra to bring ConnectID to its customers. In the digital economy there is a vital need to build trust between people and the organisations they interact with. When a major organisation like Telstra enables customer verification without asking for documents to be uploaded, that’s a big step forward.”
Telstra has initially enabled ConnectID for customers activating selected mobile services. Since introducing the new functionality late last year, tens of thousands of customers have used ConnectID.
Michael Griffiths, Executive Director, Operations, Telstra said introducing ConnectID to new selected mobile services represents major progress in making identity verification more seamless and less time-consuming.
“Identity verification is a crucial step; however we know it can be a bit of a hassle for our customers and isn’t always a streamlined experience,”
“By simplifying the process and removing the need to collect and retain original ID documents, ConnectID is a more secure option, and another way we’re helping to protect our customers.”
Available now to all customers seeking selected new mobile services with Telstra, who bank with a participating financial institution. Telstra and Australian Payments Plus are exploring opportunities to expand the roll out to other services.
Telstra media contact:
Name: Stephanie Dawson
Mobile: +61 474 263 104
Email: media@team.telstra.com
Media reference number: 001/2025
Australian Payments Plus Media Contact:
Name: Bruno Bouchet
Mobile: 0411 484 802
Email: Bruno.bouchet@auspayplus.com.au
About Australian Payments Plus
Australian Payments Plus brings together Australia’s domestic payment companies, BPAY Group, eftpos and NPP Australia to shape the future of payments for Australia. Working together benefits Australia’s consumers, businesses and government, creating opportunities above and beyond the needs of payments users of all kinds. We’re inspired by what’s possible today, and what could be possible beyond tomorrow.
AP+ shareholders include Adyen Australia Pty Limited, ANZ, ASL, Bank of Queensland Limited, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, CBA, Citigroup Pty Limited, Coles Group Limited, Cuscal Limited, EFTEX Pty Limited, First Data Network Australia Limited trading as Fiserv, HSBC Bank Australia Limited, ING Bank (Australia) Limited, Indue Limited, Macquarie Bank Limited, NAB, PayPal, Suncorp Metway Limited, Tyro Payments Limited, WBC, Windcave Pty Limited, Wise Australia Pty Limited, Woolworths Group Limited and WorldPay. See http://www.auspayplus.com.au for more information.
About ConnectID
ConnectID is an Australian-owned digital identity solution which makes it easier for customers to verify who they are, using organisations they already trust. ConnectID does not see or store any data, it simply acts as the bridge that connects businesses to trusted and reliable identity data with customer consent, giving individuals more control over how their information is used and shared. ConnectID was the first non-government digital identity exchange to be accredited by the Australian Government and is supported by major Australian banks. ConnectID is an initiative of Australian Payments Plus (AP+) which brings together eftpos, BPAY and NPP Australia as one organisation. To find out more, visit connectid.com.au.
ConnectID began rolling out across participating organisations in October 2023
About Telstra
Telstra is Australia’s leading telecommunications and technology company. We offer a full range of services and compete in all telecommunications markets in Australia, operating the largest mobile and wi-fi networks. Globally, we provide end-to-end solutions including managed network services, global connectivity, cloud, voice, colocation, conferencing and satellite solutions. We have licenses in Asia, Europe and the United States and offer access to more than 2,000 points of presence across the globe. For more information visit www.telstra.com.