TL;DR: In Australia, get support from IDCARE, report scams to Scamwatch and cybercrime to ReportCyber, and dispute fraudulent accounts. The steps are the same in every state and territory.
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The same steps in every state and territory
This guide applies wherever you live in Australia, including Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia. Reporting runs through national services, so the process does not change by state.
- Get support: IDCARE is Australia's national identity and cyber incident support service, offering help with identity theft and scam recovery.
- Report scams: Scamwatch, run by the ACCC, provides information to consumers and takes scam reports.
- Report cybercrime: ReportCyber is the national portal for reporting cybercrime. The Australian Cyber Security Hotline is 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371).
- Tell your bank: call the bank's fraud line straight away if money has left your account.
- Dispute the damage: use your reports as documentation when disputing fraudulent accounts or charges.
- Change passwords: update any account that may have been exposed, starting with email and banking.
State and territory help
Your state or territory consumer affairs office may offer local guidance. We could not verify a dedicated identity theft page for each one, so start with the national services above.
More guides on this topic
Living elsewhere? See the identity theft reporting guide for another country, or the guide for a third country. If a scammer posed as your bank, see the bank impersonation scams guide.
Identity theft often starts with a leaked email or reused password. A free digital footprint check shows whether your email or number appears in exposed data.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report identity theft in Australia?
Contact IDCARE for support, report scams to Scamwatch and cybercrime to ReportCyber, and tell your bank if money has been taken.
What is IDCARE?
IDCARE is Australia's national identity and cyber incident support service, offering help with identity theft and scam recovery.
What is the Australian Cyber Security Hotline number?
The ACSC lists 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371) for reporting cybercrimes and security incidents.
Is the process different in NSW or Victoria?
The national reporting steps are the same in every state and territory. State consumer affairs offices may add local guidance.
What should I do first if my identity was stolen?
Get support from IDCARE, report to Scamwatch and ReportCyber, tell your bank, and change passwords on exposed accounts.