WA Photo Card

A WA Photo Card provides anyone aged 16 years or over with a recognised form of personal identity, primarily for use in accessing licensed premises in WA. Find out how to obtain a WA Photo Card or order a replacement.

  What is a WA Photo Card?

The WA Photo Card is a voluntary card to assist people who do not hold a driver's licence or passport in conveniently proving their identity. It is available to people 16 years and older who normally reside in WA.

You have the option of including your address on the card and can choose to have two cards -  one showing your address and one without it.

  • WA Photo Cards are valid for five years.
  • WA Photo Cards cannot be renewed.
  • When your WA Photo Card is within six months of its expiry, you will need to make a new application by completing all the steps again. 

WA Photo Cards have the same level of security as a driver's licence and display the following information:

  • Name.
  • Date of birth.
  • Signature.
  • Photograph.
  • Address (optional).

Keep your WA Photo Card close

Just like a driver's licence, your WA Photo Card holds important personal information about you, so be careful who you give your card to.

It is an offence to lend a WA Photo Card or allow a WA Photo Card to be used by another person.

Only an authorised person under the Liquor Control Act 1988 can confiscate a card. The authorised person is only permitted to confiscate a card from a juvenile (a person under the age of 18) if they suspect the card is forged, false or counterfeit.

WA Photo Cards should only be scanned or copied with your permission.

WA Photo Card fees

The WA Photo Card replaced the WA proof of age card.
Fee type Fee
Application for a WA Photo Card $47.50
Replacement WA Photo Card $33.30
Additional WA Photo Card $47.50
Application for a WA Photo Card: Pensioner or Senior concession $23.75
Replacement WA Photo Card: Pensioner or Senior concession $16.65
Additional WA Photo Card: Pensioner or Senior concession $23.75
Application or replacement or additional WA Photo Card: Aged Pensioner No fee

WA Photo Card concession

You may be eligible to receive a concession of up to 100% on the fees payable for your WA Photo Card.

Please refer to the Concessions page and the Photo Card: Frequently Asked Questions sheet below for more information on your eligibility for a concession.

Opens in a new window Department of Justice: Western Australian Photo Card Act 2014
Opens in a new window Department of Justice: Western Australian Photo Card Regulations 2014

  Step 1:Complete the Photo Card application (Form PC1)

You can download the form below or pick one up from a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional DoT office/agent. If you would like a copy posted to you please contact us.

  Step 2:Attend a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional DoT office/agent

When applying for a WA Photo Card, you must attend a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional DoT office/agent in person. You will need to:

  • Provide proof of identity for an initial application unless you are the holder of an existing WA driver's licence.
  • Holders of an existing WA driver's licence will not be required to provide full proof of identity (POI) when applying for a WA Photo Card. See requirements for subsequent applications below.
  • Holders of an existing interstate/overseas driver's licence are to provide full POI as part of meeting the Gold Standard Enrolment Framework, unless these documents have been previously supplied as part of making application for a WA driver's licence.
  • Holders of an existing WA learner's permit will not be required to provide full POI when applying for a WA Photo Card see requirements for subsequent applications below.
  • Holders of an existing WA proof of age card will be required to provide full POI when applying for a WA Photo Card.
  • Provide the completed application form.
  • Pay a fee (refer to schedule of fees).
  • Have your photograph taken. Supplied photographs will not be accepted*. Your photograph will be taken by the Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional DoT office/agent.

* If you cannot attend in person due to a medical condition, living in a remote area or temporary absence from WA, you may post your completed application along with a Photo Kit (E13) form.

Download the photo kit form below, which includes detailed instructions and the mailing address to post it to.

If you have concerns about your ability to meet any of the proof of identity requirements, please contact your nearest metropolitan or regional DVS centre for assistance.

Subsequent WA Photo Card applications

Applicants seeking a subsequent WA Photo Card must produce the following proof of identity documents:

  • 1 Category B document; or
  • 1 Category A document and 1 Category C document.

  Step 3:Application will be processed and the card is manufactured

The WA Photo Card will be printed and distributed from a secure location to the applicants mailing address.

The process takes approximately 14 days from date of application, depending on mail delivery.

Note:

  • Completed application forms must be presented in person.
  • You must be aged 16 years or over to apply for a WA Photo Card.
  • You must provide proof of identity documents.
  • You must supply a WA residential address.
  • If you’re a visa holder and the name on your visa application does not match your passport, we will request an update to your name on Department of Home Affairs records before you’re issued a WA Photo Card. This may take 1-2 weeks. 
  • It is an offence to give false or misleading information. Penalties will be enforced under the Western Australian Photo Card Act 2014.

Fraudulent applications will be referred to the Western Australia Police Force.

  How to apply for an additional WA Photo Card

Cardholders have the option of including their address on the card, and can choose to have two cards, one showing their address and one without it.

If you want to order an additional card, with or without your address showing, you need to complete a Photo Card application form and select on the form which card you are applying for.

You need to follow the same steps as indicated in the application process.

A fee will be applicable.

  How to apply for a replacement WA Photo Card

If you need to apply for a replacement WA Photo Card you must attend a Driver and Vehicle Services centre or regional DoT office/agent in person.

Subsequent WA Photo Card applications

Applicants seeking a subsequent WA Photo Card must produce the following proof of identity documents:

  • 1 Category B document, or
  • 1 Category A document and 1 Category C document.

If your WA Photo Card have been damaged or destroyed as a direct result of a hazard that has been declared an emergency situation or state of emergency, you may be eligible for a free replacement of the eligible documents.

A hazard means, but not limited to, a cyclone, earthquake, flood, storm, tsunami or other natural event as defined under the Emergency Management Act 2005.

An emergency situation means a declaration made under section 50 of the Emergency Management Act 2005.

A state of emergency means a declaration made under section 56 of the Emergency Management Act 2005.

There is no time limit on the fee exemptions; however, these requests must be related to a hazard declared as an emergency situation or state of emergency.

To obtain a free replacement of your WA Photo Card you must apply in person.

You will need to visit a DVS centre, DoT regional office or agent.

  • Return the plasticised document to DoT for destruction if the card is damaged.
  • Complete the Declared Emergency Situation Damaged Documents/Plates Declaration (E47A) form which includes a statutory declaration stating that the document was damaged or destroyed because of the natural disaster.
  • Provide identification as outlined on the Declared Emergency Situation Damaged Documents/Plates Declaration (E47A) form.
  • Complete the Verification of Identity for Driver's Licence or Photo Card Application (E46) form if all acceptable forms of identification have been destroyed as a direct result of the natural disaster.
  • Have your photo and/or signature captured (if required).

Note:

  • You can use a previous WA Photo Card photograph and signature (valid for 10 years).
  • These images cannot be used for a WA driver’s licence document or learner’s permit card. Similarly, a WA driver’s licence or learner’s permit image cannot be used for WA Photo Cards.
  • Holders of an existing WA proof of age card will need to provide proof of identity when applying for a replacement WA Photo Card.
Page last updated: Thu Jun 20 2024 1:46:04 PM