The federal government is embarking on a transformative trial aimed at enhancing the security of rental applications, with a focus on limiting the extensive personal information currently shared with real estate agents.

Under the present system, prospective tenants are required to submit a wealth of sensitive data, including driver’s licenses, passports, bank statements, and utility bills. This practice has raised significant concerns regarding data security and the increasing incidence of identity theft.

As a response to these growing threats, the government is exploring innovative solutions, such as the implementation of digital IDs. This trial could potentially leverage government-issued myIDs to streamline the rental application process.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Whatever we can do to minimize people sharing loads of personal data about themselves and then losing control of that, I think, is a good thing.” Her remarks underscore the government’s commitment to safeguarding personal information in an age where data breaches are increasingly common.

“Whatever we can do to minimise people sharing loads of personal data about themselves and then losing control of that, I think, is a good thing,” Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said.

Trials are set to begin next year. Using verified online tools, renters could soon be able to confirm their identities with a simple click rather than giving agents personal documents.

Rental applications are currently highly regulated and differ from state to state. The trials aim to make the process easier while also limiting the amount of sensitive data shared between renters and agents.