Individual aviation reference numbers

You must have an individual ARN to access our services, or to hold any:

  • licence
  • permission
  • authorisation.

Apply for an individual ARN through myCASA

You can apply for your ARN through our myCASA portal. You need to create an account if you haven't used the myCASA portal before.

  1. Log in to myCASA using your individual account

    Navigate to the myCASA portal and enter your email address and password to log in.

    You can also use Digital Identity to login to the portal.

    To login using Digital Identity, navigate to the myCASA portal and create an account using MyGovID Digital Identity.

    If you can’t create a MyGovID account, you can enter your email address and password to begin creating a myCASA account.

  2. Select ‘Apply for an individual ARN’

    After you have logged in, navigate to the ‘Need an ARN?’ and select ‘Apply for aviation reference number (ARN).

  3. Enter your personal details

    You will then enter your personal details. These include:

    • full name (as it appears on your primary form of identification. For example your passport, birth certificate or drivers licence)
    • address
    • date of birth
    • sex
    • phone numbers
    • nationality.

  4. Submit your identification

    After entering your personal details, you will see a prompt to submit your identification.

    You will only need one type of identification. Most identity documents can be verified online, including:

    • Australian passport
    • Australian birth certificate
    • Australian citizenship certificate
    • ImmiCard
    • foreign passport.

    If you're using a foreign passport, you must be in Australia for us to verify it online.

    We recommend you apply for your ARN when you arrive in Australia to make the process easier.

    If your ID doesn’t automatically verify, you can upload a certified copy of the document instead.

    If you are a permanent resident of Australia, you can still submit a foreign passport if you are currently overseas.

  5. Submit your application

    After you have entered your details make sure to check they match your primary form of identity (including middle names) and submit. You should receive an email with your new ARN after a few minutes from submitting.

Submit online through myCASA 

Follow the previous outlined steps to submit through our online portal, myCASA.

Learn more about how to use the myCASA portal.

OR

Apply for an individual ARN by email

If you cannot apply online, you can apply for an individual ARN by emailing a form to us with certified copies of your identity documents.

To apply through by email, follow these steps:

  1. Download the individual aviation reference number application form.
  2. Enter your personal details and make sure to save it on to your device.
  3. Nominate your 100 points of identification.
  4. Email or post your application.
Individual aviation reference number application form 1162 (PDF, 291.17 KB)

Verifying your identity for applications

Different types of identity documents are worth different points. You can use different combinations of documents to make up your 100 points.

All points of identification must be certified. To see who can certify documents read our Certifying your identity documents page.

Primary documents

You must provide at least one of the following (primary) certified documents. Foreign documents must also include an official translation.

70 points

  • Foreign passport (current)
  • Australian passport (current or expired within the last 2 years, but not cancelled)
  • Australian citizenship certificate
  • Full birth certificate (not extract)
  • Certificate of identity issued by the Australian Government to refugees and non-Australian citizens for entry to Australia.

40 points

  • Australian drivers licence/learner’s permit
  • Current (Australian) tertiary student ID card
  • Photo identification card issued for Australian regulatory purposes (for example aviation/maritime security ID or security industry ID)
  • Government employee ID (Australian federal/state/territory)
  • Defence Force ID card (with photo or signature).

Secondary documents

You must also provide 1 or more secondary certified documents. Foreign documents must also include an official translation.

40 points

  • Medicare card
  • Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) card
  • Centrelink card (with reference number)

25 points

  • Birth certificate extract
  • Birth card (NSW Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages only)
  • Credit card or account card
  • Australian marriage certificate (Registry issue only)
  • Australian divorce certificate (Registry issue only)
  • Change of name certificate (Registry issue only)
  • Bank statement
  • Property lease agreement – current address
  • Taxation assessment notice
  • Australian mortgage documents
  • Rating authority – such as land rates
  • Utility bill – electricity, gas, telephone (less than 12 months old)
  • Reference from Indigenous organisation.
Last updated:
16 Jan 2023
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//licences-and-certificates/aviation-reference-numbers/individual-aviation-reference-numbers
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