Has your boorai’s birth been registered? Does your boorai have a birth certificate?
It's never too late to register.
You will need to provide a birth certificate when you:
- Enrol your boorai in kinder and school.
- Access benefits like Centrelink and Medicare.
Your growing boorai may need their birth certificate when they apply for a:
- Bank account
- Driver's licence
- Passport
- Tax file number.
How do I register a birth?
It's never too late to register a birth.
Registering a birth is free. You can register online. It takes about 30 minutes.
The hospital doesn’t do this for you.
Who needs to register the birth?
Usually, both parents need to register a birth.
It’s sometimes possible for one parent to register.
If you need help, please email our Marguk-bulok koolin-ik Team (Aboriginal Outreach) at bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)
Learn more about registering a birth.
Family violence concerns
When registering birth, our priority is the safety of you and your family.
If you have concerns about your safety, please let our Marguk-bulok koolin-ik Team (Aboriginal Outreach) know.
If you tell us that you have concerns for your safety, we can protect your information.
For example, we don’t have to tell the other parent your address or contact details without your consent.
We may ask you to provide some documents to support your concerns.
Learn more about how we can protect your safety when registering a birth.
Registering a birth later in life
Sometimes, a birth needs to be registered at a later stage of life. If this is the case, email bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link) for support from our Marguk-bulok koolin-ik Team (Aboriginal Outreach).
Aboriginal commemorative birth certificate
BDM also offers an Aboriginal commemorative birth certificate. It combines artwork by three of Victoria's well-known Aboriginal artists:
- Vicki Couzens
- Lee Durroch
- Treahna Hamm.
Each artist depicts an element of birth in a way that recognises and celebrates Victoria's Aboriginal heritage.
You can apply for the Aboriginal commemorative birth certificate at the same time as your legal birth certificate.
You can’t use the Aboriginal commemorative birth certificate as:
• Legal proof of identity, or
• Confirmation of Aboriginality.
To prove your identity, you will need your legal birth certificate.
BDM does not provide Confirmation of Aboriginality. If you need one, contact your local:
• Aboriginal Land Council or
• Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation.
They are responsible for providing Confirmation of Aboriginality.
About the photos on this page
Shakara Basso (Wemba-Wemba) with Djaran O’Brien (Yorta-Yorta & Wemba-Wemba). Photo by Michael Jalaru Torres (Djugun & Yawuru).