Understanding Australian Fake ID Laws and How to Spot Them
Explore the Bar Owner’s Guide to Fake IDs, acknowledging the excitement of turning 18 and the importance of ID scanners.
Whether you’re a bar owner or a 17-year-old reveler, there are a few things you should know about Australian fake IDs.
Australian Fake ID Types
For many people, the concept of a fake ID includes purchasing an identification card made in a backroom somewhere. As it turns out, though, there is more than just one type of fake ID in Australia.
The false identification cards that we see in movies are ones that are created without proper authority. Believing they can craft their own IDs, individuals face a rude awakening when encountering establishments equipped with ID scanners.
Real licenses are also used to create some phony IDs, in addition to entirely fabricated cards. Many teenage drinkers who modify their IDs to make them appear older are apprehended. Some people just use a valid identification card that belongs to someone else. However, there could be grave repercussions for anyone who tries these dishonest tactics.
Legal Consequences for Using a Fake ID in Australia
While laws vary depending on where you live in Australia, bartenders or door staff will often notify police if an ID appears fake. It is then their duty to turn the card over to police so that a proper investigation can take place.
You may simply receive a warning or be asked to leave if your fake ID is found. A formal citation could also be awarded to you. But if the police want to press the case—which is more likely if you’ve been apprehended before—you could face criminal charges.
These days, the use of ID scanners in bars and nightclubs is on the rise. ID scanners swiftly detect fake cards, emphasizing the importance of having an ID scanner for clubs and bars to avoid fines.
Fines vary from state to state. In Western Australia, you’ll get a $200 fine (at least) on the spot for using a fake ID. In New South Wales, this fine is around $220. In Queensland, however, the fine varies from $353 to $589.
In the worst case scenario, instantaneous fines might be the best option. There is a good chance that the offender will be fined between $2,000 and almost $5,000 if police officers choose to bring them to court. Periods for provisional licenses may also be extended.
How to Spot a Fake ID
Owners of bars, pubs, or other establishments that serve alcohol have a stake in identifying phony identification documents. Serving children who provide fraudulent identification may have legal repercussions, but there are ways to identify these false cards.
Check for Foils and Holograms
ID cards frequently have holograms or foil as security features. Verify that all features are visible and that the holograms fade as the card is turned.A card is probably false if a hologram is always brilliant.
Scan the ID
Explore the Bar Owner’s Guide to Fake IDs, recognizing that creators of phony ID cards often lack funds for encoding. Verify card validity swiftly with an ID scanner, instantly identifying fakes through networked scanning and authenticity tests.
Many systems also give prompts if they suspect a fake, offering security staff or bartenders questions to ask the presenter of the ID, such as zodiac sign.
Examine More Than the Birth Date
As previously indicated, some people use legitimate identification cards that aren’t theirs, so carefully check that the photo matches the cardholder. It is a serious felony to use a fake ID from Australia; it is not something to be taken lightly. It’s preferable for kids to hold off on drinking until they are eighteen, and for bar owners, be sure to protect yourself by reporting phony identification as soon as you see it.
If you are involved in supplying alcohol in any way and want to protect yourself from legal consequences, contact Scantek today for a free ID scanner trial and keep minors out of your establishment.