Identity verification
Before you can bid at an Australian property auction, the agency has to confirm who you are. Verabid does this once and reuses it across every agency, so you don’t repeat it for each property.
Why it’s required
Real estate agencies have legal obligations to verify the identity of the people they deal with. Completing verification on Verabid satisfies that requirement for every auction you register for — it’s the “verify once, bid anywhere” promise.
What you’ll need
- A current Australian driver licence or passport.
- A phone or device with a camera, in good lighting.
- A few minutes — most checks complete in under a minute.
How the check works
You’ll photograph your ID document and take a short selfie. The selfie is matched against the photo on your ID to confirm it’s really you, and the document details are checked for validity. Verabid uses a trusted identity provider to run this — your raw documents aren’t passed around between agencies.
Tips for a clean first-time pass:
- Lay the ID flat on a dark surface and avoid glare.
- Make sure all four corners and the text are in frame and sharp.
- Use even, front-on lighting for the selfie — no hats or sunglasses.
Name matching
The name on your verified ID is compared with the name on your account and on whichever entity you’re bidding through. If they don’t match exactly — a maiden name, a missing middle name, or a typo — we’ll flag it for the agency to review manually rather than rejecting you automatically. You may be asked for a supporting document (for example, a marriage or name-change certificate).
Bidding through a company, trust, or SMSF
You still verify your own identity as the person operating the account. The entity’s details (ACN/ABN, directors, trustees, beneficial owners) are checked separately, and any other required parties verify their own identity through an SMS invitation. See the guarantee & indemnity guide for who else may need to sign.
Troubleshooting
The check failed or timed out
Retake the photos in better light, hold the camera steady, and make sure the document isn’t expired. If it keeps failing, contact support and we’ll help.
My status says “under review”
That means a person at the agency is checking your details (often a name mismatch). No action is needed unless they ask you for something — you can keep an eye on the status in your Verabid app.
Your privacy
Identity data is sensitive, and we treat it that way — handled under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles. See our Privacy Policy for detail on storage, access, and deletion.