Identity verification (ID checking) for one-on-one supervised assessments

Identity verification applies only to one-on-one supervised assessments.

Academic staff will inform students in advance that they are expected to have valid photographic identification available for the assessment (e.g., student ID card, driver licence, or passport).

Prior to commencing the assessment, the assessor will request the student to present their identification. For online assessments, this will occur via live camera check.

If a student does not produce identification, or if the identification provided cannot be reasonably verified (e.g., unclear image, name discrepancy, camera limitations), this will be recorded as a data point, and the assessment will proceed as scheduled.

The purpose of this process is to:

  • Support academic integrity monitoring
  • Gather institutional data on identity verification practices
  • Inform ongoing review of supervised assessment processes

Students will not be prevented from undertaking the assessment solely on the basis of non-production or non-verifiable identification.

All identity verification processes are conducted in accordance with university privacy obligations. Identification information is used only for verification purposes and is not retained beyond institutional requirements.

Academic guidance

Identity verification supports academic integrity in one-on-one supervised assessments while ensuring compliance with NSW privacy legislation. The process is designed to be proportionate, low-risk, and procedurally fair.

One

When does ID checking apply?

✔ Applies only to one-on-one supervised assessments

✘ Does not apply to group assessments, written exams, or non-supervised tasks

Two

What academics must do

Before the assessment

  • Inform students in advance that valid photographic ID will be requested.
  • Include this advice in LMS instructions, booking confirmations, or assessment communications.

At the start of the assessment

  • Request the student to present valid photographic ID.
  • For online assessments, conduct a brief live camera check.
  • Visually confirm:
    • The photo matches the student
    • The name aligns with enrolment records

No further details are required.

Three

Acceptable forms of ID

  • Student ID card
  • Driver licence
  • Passport
  • Other government-issued photo ID

You do not need to record ID numbers or any other information.

Four

If ID is not produced or cannot Be verified

If a student:

  • Does not produce ID, or
  • Produces ID that cannot reasonably be verified (e.g., unclear image, minor discrepancy),

You must:

  • Record this as a data point
  • Proceed with the assessment

Students must not be prevented from undertaking the assessment solely on this basis.

Five

What you must not do

✘ Do not photocopy, scan, or screenshot ID

✘ Do not record ID numbers

✘ Do not retain images of ID

✘ Do not deny participation solely due to non-production

✘ Do not collect more information than necessary

The process is visual verification only.

Six

Recording and privacy

  • Identity information must not be retained beyond institutional requirements.
  • Any documentation should record only that ID was requested and whether it was produced/verified.

Why this approach

This model:

  • Supports academic integrity
  • Aligns with privacy minimisation principles under NSW law
  • Ensures procedural fairness

Have further questions

Take a look at our frequently asked questions below relating specifically to identity verification in one-on-one supervised assessments.

Identity verification supports academic integrity and ensures that the enrolled student is the person completing the assessment.

Under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW) (PPIP Act), NSW public universities may collect personal information where it is directly related to a lawful university function and reasonably necessary. Assessment integrity falls within that function.

Yes.

Under NSW privacy law, we may request identification where:

  • The purpose is legitimate (e.g., safeguarding assessment integrity)
  • The collection is proportionate
  • Students are informed in advance
  • We collect only what is reasonably necessary

Our model (visual check only, no copying or retention, no exclusion for non-production) is designed to be proportionate and low risk.

No.

Identity verification applies only to one-on-one supervised assessments.

It does not apply to:

  • Group assessments
  • Non-supervised tasks
  • Integrated assessments conducted in group settings

Academic staff must:

  • Inform students in advance that valid photographic ID will be requested.
  • Include this requirement in subject communications (e.g., communications, LMS, booking confirmation, assessment instructions).

Any valid photographic identification that reasonably verifies identity, such as:

  • Student ID card
  • Driver licence
  • Passport

The assessor only needs to confirm that:

  • The photo matches the student
  • The name aligns with enrolment records

No ID numbers should be recorded or any other information.

If a student:

  • Does not produce identification, or
  • Produces ID that cannot reasonably be verified (e.g., unclear image, camera quality, minor name discrepancy),

This should be recorded as a data point, and the assessment should proceed.

Students are not prevented from undertaking the assessment solely due to non-production or non-verifiable ID.

No.

The process is a visual verification only.

This approach ensures proportionality and procedural fairness.

Recording non-production as a data point:

  • Supports institutional monitoring
  • Enables review of verification practices
  • Reduces legal and equity risk
  • Avoids excluding students inappropriately

It aligns with privacy minimisation principles.

Do not:

  • Deny a student access solely due to ID non-production
  • Record ID numbers
  • Screenshot or store ID images
  • Apply the process inconsistently
  • Request excessive personal information