We’ve worked with the Department of Finance and the Attorney-General’s Department to bring digital statutory declarations to all Australians.
Available through myGov, the feature recently took out the Collaboration award at the Institute of Public Administration Australia 2024 Spirit of Service Awards. The awards recognise public sector improvements that deliver positive change for the Australian community.
A statutory declaration - or stat dec - is a statement of facts a person declares to be true and accurate. It can be used as evidence for things like visa applications, insurance or superannuation claims, or for employment and leave purposes.
Digital stat decs mean you don’t need to find an approved witness, such as a police officer or Justice of the Peace, to verify your declaration.
‘This improvement means people can securely complete a Commonwealth stat dec entirely online through myGov. Your Digital ID verifies your identity and meets the witnessing requirements, saving you time and effort,’ said Jordan Sullivan from our Digital Delivery Branch.
Each year, Australian businesses and consumers spend more than 9 million hours preparing, creating and processing more than 3.8 million Commonwealth statutory declarations.
‘Digital stat decs created through myGov can take just a few minutes and are just as legally valid as a declaration made on paper and witnessed in person,’ Jordan said.
‘It’s brought this important legal document into the 21st century and is one way we’re helping make government services simple.’
Watch the video below to learn more about creating a digital Commonwealth statutory declaration.
Read more about digital Commonwealth statutory declarations.