Fake ID cards

For free and confidential legal advice about this topic, please contact us here.

A fake ID is one that doesn’t belong to you, has been made illegally or has been changed (for example to make you look older). Most of the time it’s against the law to make, have or use a fake ID for anything, including to get into a pub, club or bar or to buy alcohol. It’s also against the law to lend your ID to someone else or lie so that you can get a real ID (for example lying about your date of birth or giving fake documents).

If you’re caught doing these things, you could be fined as much as $5,600!

What is a fake ID?

A fake ID is an ID that:

• has been made illegally;
• has been scratched or altered in any way (like to make you seem older); or 
• doesn’t actually belong to you (like a friend’s or brother’s ID).

What are the accepted forms of ID in Tasmania?

In Tasmania, you can prove your age using:

• a photographic driver’s licence; 
• a passport; 
• a photographic Tasmanian Government “personal information” card; 
• a photographic “Keypass identification card”; or
• a firearms licence.

Is it illegal to use a fake ID?

Yes. It’s against the law to use a fake ID to enter a pub, club, bar or obtain alcohol.  The person who suspects that you are using a fake ID can also take the ID from you and give it to police.

If you are caught using a fake ID and you’re under 18, you can:

• be asked to leave the venue immediately and not return;
• have the ID confiscated and destroyed (if it’s fake) or returned to its correct owner (if it’s not yours).
  
• be given an informal caution (not recorded);
• be given a formal caution (this is recorded and might mean you have to complete up to 35 hours of community service); or
  
• be charged, and if you’re found guilty by a court have to pay a large fine: 
  
  • if you’re 17 or above, $1,400;
  • if you’re 15 or 16, $700;  or
  • if you’re younger than 15, $280.

If it is the first time you have been in trouble with the police, it is likely that you will be given an informal caution.

Do I have to tell the police or security my name, age and address?

It’s against the law to refuse to give the police your name, address and date of birth if they suspect you are underage and trying to get into licensed premises or buy alcohol.  If you’re under 18, you can be charged and if found guilty by a court, have to pay a fine of:

• • $7,000, if you’re 17 or above;
  • $700, if you’re 15 or 16;  or
  • $280; if you’re younger than 15.

For more information on your rights when talking to police, please visit our page on police interviews.

What if I’m over 18 and I lend my ID to someone who’s under 18?

It is illegal to lend or give someone your ID who intends to use it as a fake. If you’re over 18 and you give your ID card to someone else, you could be charged and if you’re found guilty by a court, you’d have to pay as much as $5,600.

Is it illegal to make a fake ID?

Yes. It’s against the law to make a fake ID. Making a fake ID includes scratching, changing or forging an ID.  The law is particularly strict when it comes to making a fake driver’s licence.

If you’re under 18 and you’re found to have made a fake ID, then you can:

• be given an informal caution (usually given to you if you have never been in trouble with the police and it isn’t put on your criminal record)
• be given a formal caution (this is recorded and might mean you must complete up to 35 hours of community service); or
  
• be charged, and if you’re found guilty by a court have to pay a large fine:
  
  • if you’re 17 or above, as much as $5,600;
  • if you’re 15 or 16, as much as $700; or
  • if you’re younger than 15, as much as $280.

In the most serious cases, you can be sentenced to 6 months imprisonment even if it’s the first time you’ve done this, or 12 months imprisonment if you’ve made fake IDs before. However, if it’s the first time you’ve made a fake ID, it’s more likely that the police would give you a formal caution.   

What if I lie to get real ID?

It is illegal to lie or give incorrect information in order to get a fake driver’s license. If you do this and you’re under 18, you can:

• be given an informal caution (usually given to you if you have never been in trouble with the police and it isn’t put on your criminal record)
• be given a formal caution (this is recorded and might mean you must complete up to 35 hours of community service); or
  
• be charged, and if you’re found guilty by a court have to pay a large fine:
  
  • if you’re 17 or above, as much as $5,600;
  • if you’re 15 or 16, as much as $700; or
  • if you’re younger than 15, as much as $280.

If you’re under 25 and you have a question about IDs that we haven’t answered here, please ask us a question here and we can give you some free information and advice.

Find information about fake IDs in other states

• The ACT
• The NT
• New South Wales
• Victoria
• Queensland
• Tasmania
• South Australia
• Western Australia