Advertisement

Optus hack: How to get a free driver’s licence replacement

Optus store front and Australia money notes.
If your details have been compromised, you may be able to replace your driver’s licence for free. (Source: Getty)

If you’ve been caught up in the Optus data breach, you may be able to change your driver’s licence number and get a replacement card for free.

Optus has now sent emails or SMS messages to customers whose identification document numbers, such as driver’s licences and passport numbers, were compromised because of the cyber breach.

So far the NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia governments have announced that affected Optus customers can replace their driver’s licences for free. Here’s what we know so far.

New South Wales

You can apply for a new NSW driver’s licence through Service NSW, with Optus to reimburse the cost.

If you have a digital driver’s licence, you can get an interim card number issued immediately via the Service NSW app. A new plastic card will be issued within 10 business days.

“The cost to replace your driver’s licence is $29 and will be charged by Service NSW at the time of application – reimbursement advice will be issued by Optus to customers in the coming days,” Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said on Twitter.

Victoria

Victorians can get their licence number replaced and can request through VicRoads to have their licence record flagged in case of future fraud.

“We will request Optus repays the cost of the new licences to the Victorian government,” a spokesperson for the state’s Transport department said.

Queensland

Impacted Queenslanders can get a replacement driver’s licence with a new licence number free of charge. This can be done via a Main Roads customer service center.

"An Optus data breach notice or written notification from an enforcement authority is required, along with evidence of identity for the new licence," Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said on Twitter.

The Department has set up a hotline to help at (07) 3097 3108 from 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

South Australia

South Australian drivers can get a replacement driver’s licence for free, the premier confirmed.

Service SA has advised people to visit a Service SA centre and bring any documentation from Optus.

“Once your licence number has been changed, a new driver’s licence card will be produced and posted to you,” Service SA said.

“Your new licence will be immediately available digitally through your mySAGOV account and on the mySAGOV app.”

ACT

ACT drivers have been told to call Access Canberra on 13 22 81 and leave their details. There is no word yet on whether the replacement licence will be free or not.

“All customers who do this will be contacted by Access Canberra once the next steps are identified,” the ACT government said in a statement to SBS.

Western Australia and Tasmania

On Wednesday, WA and Tasmania both confirmed the replacement fee will be waived for those affected by the hack, with Optus footing the bill.

What about the Northern Territory?

We are still to hear from the Northern Territory government about what affected customers can do about their driver’s licences.

What can I do if I’ve been affected by the Optus hack?

Cyber security experts have outlined several steps you can take to proactively defend yourself:

  1. Identify your most vulnerable accounts and secure them

  2. Lock your SIM card and credit card if possible

  3. Improve your cyber hygiene, including checking what information about you is available to cyber criminals through HaveIBeenPwned.

For more information you can also visit the Australian Cyber Security Centre.

Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter, and subscribe to the free Fully Briefed daily newsletter.