Replacing personal documents lost in a disaster can be a frustrating and time consuming job. This alphabetical list tells you who to go to and what to ask for to get your papers back in order as smoothly and quickly as possible.
Birth and Marriage and Death Certificates
Australian
If you have lost birth or marriage certificates these may be replaced by contacting The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Ph: 1300 305 021 or 9264 1554,
Or contact them via their web site: http://www.justice.wa.gov.au/
International
Contact the Embassy or Consulate of the country of birth and they will supply the relevant information and forms.
Telephone numbers for the Embassy or Consulate you may need to contact in Australia are listed in the Telephone Business and Government White Pages under the name of the relevant country.
Certificates of Title
Department of Land Information will assist you in replacing destroyed land title certificates. You will need to provide them with your full name (or that of the company who owns the land) and address.
Ph: 9273 7333
Website: http://www.landgate.com.au/
Certificates of Qualification
Consult the institution or professional body from which you obtained your qualification. They should issue a replacement certificate upon provision of your name, address, year of study, name of course completed, and a nominal fee. The National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition may assist with overseas qualifications.
Hotline: 1800 020 086
Email: noosr@dest.gov.au
Citizenship
Australian
To apply for replacement citizenship papers you can visit the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs in person or telephone them and have application papers sent to you through the mail.
You will need three forms of identification with your name on each. For example, a bill, passport and driver’s license. You can send certified copies of these through the mail. Replacement papers take approximately three weeks to process.
Ph: 13 18 81
Website: http://www.immi.gov.au
International
Contact the Embassy or Consulate of your country of birth and they will supply the relevant information. Telephone numbers for the Embassy OR Consulate in Australia that you may need to contact are listed in theTelephone Business and Government White Pages under the name of the relevant country (eg France)
Credit Cards
Contact your bank or financial institution for the correct replacement procedure.
Dog Licenses
These are issued by your local Council. Council telephone numbers are listed in the Telephone Business and Government White Pages under the name of your local City or Town Council.
Driver’s License
It is an offence to drive without a valid driver’s license, so it must be replaced as soon as possible.
You will need to obtain an application for the replacement of your license from your nearest local Metropolitan Licensing Office of Department of Planning and Infrastructure.
The Application must be signed / witnessed by a licensed person who has known you for at least 12 months as proof of your identity. You will be required to provide other proof of identity, such as a passport.
The Licensing Office can supply you with a license on the spot as long as you have the correct identification and signature from a license holder.
Ph: 13 11 56 for Vehicle and Driver Licensing information.
Electoral Roll
The Australian Electoral Commission issues to each elector an acknowledgement card confirming his / her enrolment details.
These cards are not needed when voting. However some institutions and agencies accept them as part of the proof of identity process.
Each elector may apply in writing or in person for their replacement card to the relevant Divisional Returning Officer. Address and telephone numbers for individual officers can be found in the Telephone Business and Government White Pages under “Western Australian Electoral Commission”
Ph: 13 63 06
Website: http://www.waec.wa.gov.au/
For Federal electoral information go to the Australian Electoral Commission webite at http://www.aec.gov.au/
Electricity
At present most West Australian residential electricity is supplied by Western Power. Corporations or individuals with alternative energy suppliers should check the Business and Government White Pages.
Western Power have a 24 hour emergency telephone line – Ph: 1313 51
Gas
Alinta Gas supplies most gas in Western Australia and operates a 24 hour emergency telephone line
- Faults and Emergencies - 13 13 52
- Other inquiries - 13 13 58
Health Records – Personal
Contact your most recent specialist / Doctor/medical practice and / or hospital and request copies be made.
Health Fund Membership Cards
Contact your private health fund and provide them with your name, address and date of birth. Your membership number can be raised on the computer database and given to you on the spot. A replacement card usually takes two weeks to issue. The card is not necessary to make a claim.
Health Insurance Commission - Medicare Card Inquiries
Contact your nearest Medicare office and provide your name, address and date of birth. Your membership number can be raised on the computer database and given to you on the spot. A replacement card usually takes three weeks to issue. The card is not necessary to make a claim. An interim Medicare slip can be obtained by visiting your nearest Medicare office in person. This slip can be used when visiting your doctor or medical centre while you wait for your replacement card to be issued.
Health Insurance Commission - Ph: 13 20 11
Medicare / PBS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Line -
Freecall: 1800 556 955
Insurance – Household, Property, Life
If you have all your insurances with an insurance broker or agent, contact your agent and they can assist you in obtaining policy numbers, copies of relevant paperwork and claim forms if required.
If not the telephone numbers for all major insurance companies in Australia are listed in the Telephone Business and Government White Pages. They will have a copy of your policy on file. You will need to provide them with your name, address and date of birth.
Check your cover with your insurer. Some but not all policies cover food spoilage, demolition, clean up costs and temporary accommodation.
Ensure you make notes of any advice provided to you over the phone and keep your receipts for future claims.
If you have any concerns regarding insurance matters these may be addressed by inquiries through the Insurance Commission of Western Australia - main switchboard Ph: 9264 3333
Investment documents –Share Certificates
Contact the company with which you have an investment, which may include banks and financial institutions, insurance companies, stockbrokers etc.
Licenses for Trading
The Department of Consumer and Employment Protection (DOCEP) issues licenses for Property Services, Business, Home Building and Business Registration. Most of these licenses can be re –issued immediately if the applicant visits the office in person.
Ph: 1300 304 054 or 1300 136 237
Website: http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/
Membership – libraries, clubs, unions and associations
Make a list of all the memberships you have:
- Professional associations
- Sport and recreational associations
- Educational institutions
- Community services organisations
Contact each of them individually and obtain your membership number and a replacement card. They will each have different requirements regarding proof of identity.
Passports
Australian
An Australian passport can be replaced at your local Australian Post office or the Passport office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This will usually take up to 10 working days. You will need a Birth Certificate or Citizenship Papers and two passport sized photographs.
The Australian Passport Information Office is open business hours 7 days a week
Ph: 13 12 32.
Email : passports.australia@dfat.gov.au
Pensioner Concession Cards
Centrelink is the Government agency that is able to provide replacement Pensioner Concession Cards. A replacement card will take approximately one week. If you urgently need your Pensioner Concession Card, a Confirmation of Concession Card Entitlement form can be issued immediately if you visit your nearest Centrelink office. This is valid for two weeks. You will need to provide some proof of identity such as a passport or driver’s license. The address of your nearest Centrelink office can be found in the Telephone Business and Government White Pages under Centrelink.
Ph: 13 23 00
Security passes / keys for work
Advise your security staff, building manager or manager that your passes/keys have been destroyed. They will advise you of the correct procedure for replacement.
Taxation documents
The Australian Taxation Office, your tax professional, accountant, and your employer are all sources of taxation documents.
Ph: 13 28 69
Telephone
Your telephone company will advise you of the correct procedure to follow to replace a faulty or damaged telephone.
Telstra
Ph: 13 22 00 or 13 22 03
Optus
Ph 13 39 37 or 13 13 44
Water
Check the Telephone Business and Government White Pages for details for the Water Corporation.
The 24 hour hotline number is Ph: 13 13 75.
Website: http://www.watercorporation.com.au/
Wills
If your original will has been destroyed you should make arrangements with your legal adviser, or the Public Trustee, to replace your will. For your nearest Public Trustee office look under Public Trustee in the Telephone Business and Government White Pages or Freecall Public Trustee Ph: 1800 642 777.
Replacing Your Personal Records
Contact telephone numbers as at 08 February 2006:
- Western Australian Electoral Commission - 13 63 06
- Australian Taxation Office - 13 28 69
- Business Names Registration - Department of Consumer and Employment Protection (DOCEP) - 1300 304 054 or 1300 136 237
- Centrelink - 13 23 00
- Magistrate’s Court Civil Registry – (previously known as the Small Claims Tribunal) - 9425 2247 or 9425 2248
- Department of Consumer and Employment Protection (DOCEP) - 1300 304 054 or 1300 136 237
- Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs - 13 18 81
- Electricity, Western Power - 13 13 51
- Gas, Alinta Gas - 13 13 52 or 13 13 58
- Home Building - Department of Consumer and Employment Protection (DOCEP) - 1300 304 054 or 1300 136 237
- Insurance Commission of Western Australia - 9264 333
- Land and Property Information –
Department of Land Information - 92273 7373
- Medicare Enquiries - 13 20 11
- West Australian Registry of Birth, Deaths and Marriages - 1300 305 021 or 9264 1554
- Telephone, Optus - 13 39 37 or 13 13 44
- Telephone, Telstra - 13 22 00 or 13 22 03
- Overseas Skills Recognition - National Office - 1800 020 086
- Property and Real Estate – REIWA
The Real Estate Institute of WA - 9380 8222
- Vehicle and Driver Licensing information - Metropolitan Licensing Centre, Department of Planning and Infrastructure - 13 11 56
- Water Corporation - 13 13 75
- Public Trustee – Free call 1800 642 777