Fact sheet: Supporting your Aboriginal clients to access our services

On this page:

• Why a birth certificate is important
• Types of help available
• Help your clients apply.

About this resource

This resource is for organisations who support members of the Victorian Aboriginal community experiencing disadvantage. It has been created to help you help your clients get their life event certificate (e.g. a birth certificate).

We have also created resources for specific client groups, such as people experiencing homelessness. For more information, see Supporting people experiencing disadvantage.

Why a birth certificate is important

A birth certificate is the primary identity document used to establish a person’s identity. Everyone needs a birth certificate to access:

• Government benefits
• Education
• Childcare 
• Employment
• Opening a bank account
• Help with housing.

Access to a birth certificate is a universal human right (External link). A birth certificate can form part of a person’s connection to their birth family and their cultural identity. It can also provide someone with information they may not already know — for example, where they were born.

The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria (BDM) records life events for the Victorian community and issues certificates. While this page references birth certificates (as the most common certificate requested by someone experiencing disadvantage) the advice is relevant for our other certificates too.

For people born outside of Victoria, contact the Registry in the state or territory where the birth occurred. If you cannot contact the relevant Registry, email bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link) and we can help.

Get the right information

We are here to help! If in doubt, contact us to discuss. It’s important you have the right information. 

Our Aboriginal Outreach Team is here to help mob, and provide culturally-sensitive services.

To learn more about this work, see Koori services.

To contact the team, please email bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)

Types of help available

The ways we can help people experiencing disadvantage include:

 

Help with proof of identity exceptions

Proof of identity exceptions

The easiest way for a person to prove their identity is with their driver licence (if it confirms residential address) and passport.

 

However, some customers can’t meet BDM’s standard proof of identity requirements. 

For these customers, we have a proof of identity exception policy. The policy supports organisations to help clients who can’t meet the standard requirements. It provides guidance on what documentation to provide.  

To request more information, email bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link).

Help your clients apply

To help your client apply:

1. Apply offline: If requesting a fee waiver, your client will need to apply using a paper or emailed form. Request one by emailing bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)
2. Print and sign. You may need to help your client print and/or complete the forms.
3. Attach: Your client must attach all the required attachments at the time of applying. Refer to the instructions for specific groups, below.
4. Email all documents together to bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)

Help for specific client groups

There are specific steps you should follow if you are helping: 

• People experiencing homelessness.

We have general advice for the following groups:

• Aboriginal  and/or Torres Strait Islander prisoners
• Refugees
• Survivors of family violence
• People affected by natural disasters.

We also have:

•    Information in other languages about BDM’s services
•    Information in other languages about registering a birth.
 

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