Our Strong identity, strong spirit campaign relies on the support of Aboriginal community organisations to share the word.
You can use these resources to help promote the importance of birth registration and birth certificates to your community.
On this page
Credits
Photographs by Michael Jalaru Torres (Djugun & Yawuru). Featured artwork by Rebecca Atkinson (Moiradu/Bangerang & Kerrupmara/Gunditjmara). You can learn more about the meaning behind this artwork.
Flyer
We’ve produced a one-page A4 flyer to help promote birth registration to new and expecting Aboriginal parents.
You can share the flyer via email, or print copies to distribute to your community.
To download the flyer in PDF format, see Downloads below.
Flyer text
This will help them for their whole life!
Why is it important to register a birth?
Birth certificates help give Aboriginal kids a great start in life. Adults need them too.
You need to register you boorai’s birth to get a birth certificate.Birth registration is free, and it’s never too late to register - you won’t get into trouble!
Birth certificates help you:
- enrol your child in kinder and school
- access benefits like Centrelink and Medicare.
Everyone needs a birth certificate to get a:
- bank account
- driver’s licence
- passport
- tax file number.
How do I register?
Registering a birth is easy, and you can register online at bdm.vic.gov.au
It only takes about 30 minutes. The hospital doesn’t do this for you.
If you need help, or don’t have access to the internet, call us on 1300 369 367. We’re here to help.
Who needs to register a birth?
Usually, both parents need to register a birth. The Department of Justice and Community Safety acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.
It’s sometimes possible for one parent to register – for example, if you don’t know where the other parent is.
Identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is important when registering a birth – it helps us build better services for your community.
Family violence
We can register a birth while making sure we don’t put your safety at risk.
Please let us know if you don’t want the other parent to know your address because of safety reasons.
How do I get a birth certificate?
You can buy a birth certificate when you register a birth, or do it later.
Birth certificates cost money but help with fees is available.
BDM’s Aboriginal Relationship Officer
Our Aboriginal Outreach Team works in community and is here to help.
If you need help with any of BDM’s services, please contact the team at bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)
Visit bdm.vic.gov.au/koori
Email bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)
Fact sheets
We've produced two fact sheets to assist Aboriginal community organisations.
To download the fact sheets in PDF format, see Downloads below.
For accessible versions, see:
- Supporting your Aboriginal clients to access our services
- Helping your Aboriginal client apply for a birth certificate.
Posters
You can download Strong identity, strong spirit posters and display them in your location.
You can choose the poster design(s) that best suit your audience:
- Register your boorai’s birth
- Register your baby’s birth
- It’s never too late to register your child’s birth (child)
- It’s never too late to register a birth (adults)
- It’s never too late to register your child’s birth (family)
- Need your birth certificate? (adult)
- Need your boorai's birth certificate?
To download the posters in PDF format, see Downloads below.
Poster text
Register your boorai’s birth
Strong identity, strong spirit.
Register your boorai’s birth and get their birth certificate.
This will help them for their whole life!
Help with certificate fees is available.
Visit bdm.vic.gov.au/koori
Email bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)
Register your baby’s birth
Strong identity, strong spirit.
Register your child’s birth and get their birth certificate.
This will help them for their whole life!
Help with certificate fees is available.
Visit bdm.vic.gov.au/koori
Email bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)
It’s never too late to register your child’s birth (child and family)
Strong identity, strong spirit.
It’s never too late to register your child’s birth and get their birth certificate.
We’re here to assist you.
Help with certificate fees is available.
Visit bdm.vic.gov.au/koori
Email bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)
It’s never too late to register your birth (adults)
Strong identity, strong spirit.
It’s never too late to register your birth and get your birth certificate.
We’re here to assist you.
Help with certificate fees is available.
Visit bdm.vic.gov.au/koori
Email bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)
Need your birth certificate (adult)
Need your birth certificate?
Our Aboriginal Outreach Team is here for you.
You may need your birth certificate to access services, get a licence, find a job, or study. It’s never too late to get one.
Need assistance with fees, or don’t have photo ID? We can help!
Visit bdm.vic.gov.au/koori
Email bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)
Need your boorai's birth certificate?
Need your boorai's birth certificate?
It will help them their whole life.
Need help to apply? Our Aboriginal Outreach Team is here for mob.
Contact them today!
Visit bdm.vic.gov.au/koori
Email bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)
Videos
We’ve produced two videos for the campaign, which you can share online or show at your location:
- It’s never too late to register a birth (External link) (1 min approx.)
One of our Aboriginal Relationship Officers speaks about the importance of birth registration and birth certificate possession, and dispels myths about registering a birth.
Watch and share the video via YouTube (External link). - BDM's Aboriginal Relationship Officer (External link) (1 min approx.)
One of our Aboriginal Relationship Officers speaks about the ways we can support Aboriginal customers.
Watch and share the video via YouTube (External link).
Sharing the videos on social media
See below for suggested text to include when you post the videos on social media.
Watch the videos
Suggested social media post: 'It's never too late to register a birth'
Birth certificates give Aboriginal kids a great start in life, in school and in their community. Adults need them, too. You need to register your boorai’s birth to get a birth certificate. It’s never too late to register – you won’t get into trouble. BDM can help you with fees, and proving your identity. They also have an Aboriginal Outreach Team to assist community. Contact them at bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link) and learn more at bdm.vic.gov.au/koori
Suggested social media post: 'BDM's Aboriginal Relationship Officer'
Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria has an Aboriginal Outreach Team who work in community. They are available to assist Aboriginal customers who need help accessing their services, like getting your birth certificate. Contact them at bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link) and learn more at bdm.vic.gov.au/koori
Social media tiles
Share these tiles on your organisation’s social media account to help spread the word about the campaign. See below to download the tiles, and view suggested text to include in your post.
Remember to direct your followers to visit bdm.vic.gov.au/koori for more information.
Suggested social media post: Parents
Birth certificates give Aboriginal kids a great start in life, in school and in their community. Adults need them, too. You need to register your boorai’s birth to get a birth certificate. It’s never too late to register – you won’t get into trouble. BDM can help you with fees, and proving your identity. They also have an Aboriginal Outreach Team to assist community. Contact them at bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link) and learn more at bdm.vic.gov.au/koori
Suggested social media post: Adults
Need your birth certificate? Our Aboriginal Outreach Team is here for mob. You may need your birth certificate to access services, get a licence, find a job, or study. It’s never too late to get one.
Need assistance with fees, or don’t have photo ID? We can help! Contact us at bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link) and learn more at bdm.vic.gov.au/koori
Partner with us
If your organisation is interested in other ways to promote the campaign and increase access to our services, please email bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link).
Downloads
Download copies of our flyer and posters below.
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