The State Government has committed $28.2 million in the 2026-27 State Budget to move WA driver’s licences into the ServiceWA digital wallet, with the credentials expected to go live in 2027. The same funding package will also deliver a State Digital Identity — the broader identity layer that will sit behind future online government services.
Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson framed the announcement as a modernisation piece. “These changes are designed around how people live and work today. Having key credentials available digitally means less paperwork, fewer delays, and greater convenience for individuals, employers and organisations who rely on them every day,” he said.
What will actually change
The digital licence will live in the ServiceWA digital wallet. Holders will be able to control how much information they share at any given checkpoint. Rather than handing over a card that displays a full name, address, date of birth, and licence number, they can share only what the situation calls for, whether that’s proof of age at a bottle shop or confirmation of licence status at a roadside stop.
“By providing these services digitally we are making them easier for people to access whilst lowering the chances of theft and fraud,” Dawson added.
The State says credentials will also be verifiable in near real time, which reduces the risk of someone presenting an expired or cancelled licence that looks fine to the naked eye.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti linked it to the SmartRider upgrade that now lets passengers tag on and off with their phones — the same logic of carrying fewer things. “We know most Western Australians carry their phone every day, so we’re making it easier to carry your driver’s licence with you too,” she said.
“It is all part of our commitment to delivering smarter services that support a more efficient economy and a better experience for the community.”
The $28.2 million also covers an upgrade to the WA Relationship Authorisation Manager — the tool that businesses use to interact with the State Government. The State Digital Identity piece is the bigger-picture play: a verified identity credential that future online government transactions can hinge on.
A firmer go-live date inside 2027 hasn’t been announced.
