Resource

Australian name change checklist

Your old name touches more places than you'd think: 66 kinds of organisation. From your driver licence to your pet's microchip, all grouped and ordered below. Covers marriage, divorce, deed poll and gender-affirming changes, all 8 states.

Last checked 28 July 2026. Corrected whenever a provider changes.

After marriage Divorce Deed poll All states
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First: do you need a legal name change?

Married in Australia, taking or adding your partner's surname? Your marriage certificate is enough, no registration needed, skip to Step 1.

Married overseas, deed poll, or affirming your gender? Register a change of name with BDM first. Deed poll guide

1Identity first
2Federal government
3Passport
4Banks and financial
5Super and insurance

+ 3 more groups: work, home and lifestyle

One order. Nothing missed.

1 The order

One checklist, eight groups, in order

Every place that still holds your old name lands on one ordered list, grouped into eight phases. Nothing gets missed.

Each group unlocks the next: your driver licence first, because almost everywhere else accepts it as proof on its own.

Generic checklist
Sarah Taylor's plan Bendigo Bank Hostplus GloBird Energy

Built around Sarah

2 Your providers

Your real bank, super fund and retailer

This checklist doesn't know your bank is Bendigo, your super is Hostplus, or your retailer is GloBird.

Your plan swaps every generic entry for your real organisation, with the exact step for that one.

Every type we track

Only what applies to Sarah

3 Only what applies

We track 66 kinds of organisation

Your plan lists only what applies to you: your bank accounts, super funds, insurers and subscriptions.

No scrolling past places that have nothing to do with you.

The checklist, in the fastest order

Each group unlocks the next. Do your driver licence first: most places accept it as proof on its own.

1Identity first - unlock everything else

Do these first. Your driver licence is proof almost everywhere else.

  • Driver licence - your state transport authority, in person or onlineFirst priority
  • Proof of age card - update at the same time, if you have oneIn person
  • Birth certificate - not usually required, worth checking your state's rulesOptional
State-specific: driver licence Most states want you in person for a new photo, each under its own authority name. The link and phone number for all 8 states.

2Federal government

Do the ATO and Centrelink together. Mismatched linked names take longer to fix than the first update.

  • Medicare card - phone 132 011 or a service centre, not myGov1-2 days
  • myGov - nothing to change directly. It copies your name from linked services, so Medicare, ATO and Centrelink updates flow throughNothing to do
  • Australian Taxation Office - in myGov: ATO online services, then My profile, then Update name and titleNo myGov access? Call 13 28 61. Checked electronically, nothing to upload.About 2 minutes
  • Centrelink - call 132 850 with your Customer Reference NumberPhone only
  • Electoral roll (AEC) - update your enrolment at the AEC websiteOnline
  • Home Affairs - visa holders and permanent residents, if requiredIf applicable

3Passport

Slow to process. Fine to leave until after your ID and government steps if you are not travelling soon.

  • Australian passport - no change of name form. Fill in the standard application at passports.gov.au. Lodge in person at Australia Post with your ORIGINAL certificate and current passport2-6 weeks
Your passport may be free Free with the same expiry date if your name is changing by marriage, divorce or reverting, and 2+ years remain. Under 2 years, or a deed poll change, the normal fee applies.

4Banks and financial

Banks vary the most on this list. Most need a branch visit. All 29 banks we track.

  • Commonwealth Bank - any branch, no appointmentBranch
  • ANZ - app-only if ANZ Plus is your sole account and photo ID already matches. Otherwise a branch appointmentApp or branch
  • Westpac - branch, with an ORIGINAL registry document, not the ceremonial oneBranch
  • NAB - branch. Update your licence first so your photo ID matchesBranch
  • Every other bank - the method genuinely differs. Up is app-only, Ubank phone-only, Macquarie needs a witnessed statutory declarationVaries a lot
  • Credit cards - contact the provider if separate from your bankVaries
  • PayPal and digital wallets - update in account settingsOnline
  • Home loan / mortgage - contact your lenderImportant
  • Personal loan or car finance - contact the lenderIf applicable
  • Share registry - Computershare, Link Market Services etc, if you hold sharesOften forgotten

5Superannuation and insurance

  • Superannuation fund - member portal or call your fundDo not delay
  • Second or third super funds - check the ATO for lost super tooIf applicable
  • Life insurance - contact your insurerImportant
  • Health insurance - update via your fund's app or websiteOnline
  • Car insurance - update your policyPhone or online
  • Home and contents insurance - update your policyPhone or online
  • Income protection insurance - contact your insurer or brokerIf applicable

6Work and study

  • Employer / HR - payroll, email, staff directoryEarly priority
  • Professional licence - AHPRA, Law Society, Engineers Australia etcIf applicable
  • University or TAFE - update via the student portalIf applicable
  • LinkedIn - update your profileOnline
  • Work email and systems - coordinate with ITVia IT
  • Business registration (ASIC) - directors and sole tradersIf applicable
  • ABN records - update via ABR if you have a businessIf applicable

7Home and utilities

  • Electricity provider - email, phone, or onlineEmail or phone
  • Gas provider - if separate from electricityEmail or phone
  • Internet / NBN provider - contact your ISPEmail or phone
  • Mobile / phone plan - Telstra, Optus, Vodafone or otherOnline or store
  • Water utility - contact your state water authorityPhone or online
  • Local council rates - contact your local councilPhone or mail
  • Real estate agent - notify your agent if rentingIf renting
  • Strata or body corporate - if you own in a complexIf applicable

8Loyalty, subscriptions and lifestyle

These get forgotten. Travel loyalty points in an old name can cause issues.

  • Qantas Frequent Flyer - update via your profileTravel ID must match
  • Velocity Frequent Flyer - update via your Virgin accountTravel ID must match
  • Other airline programs - Emirates Skywards, KrisFlyer etcIf applicable
  • Flybuys / Woolworths Rewards - update your loyalty accountOnline
  • Road toll account - Linkt, E-Way etcOnline
  • Gym membership - visit or email your gymIn person or email
  • Doctor / GP records - ask your practice to updatePhone or in person
  • Dentist and other health practitioners - next visitNext visit
  • Pet microchip registry - often overlookedOften forgotten
  • Email address - new one, or keep the oldPersonal choice
  • Streaming services - Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, Apple etcOnline
  • Postal redirect - Australia Post, if you've movedIf moved
  • Will and estate documents - contact your solicitorLegal document
  • Enduring power of attorney - check with your solicitorAsk your solicitor

Where this list stops

This list is generic. Yours would not be.

It doesn't know your bank is Bendigo, your super is Hostplus, or your retailer is GloBird.GloBird needs an email, not a phone call. It can't order the 66 for you, or fill anything in.

That's the part we do: your real providers, in your order, each with the exact step. Powered also fills the official forms and writes every message.

What you getFree, right hereYour plan, from $25
Every organisation typeIncludedIncluded
The fastest orderIncludedIncluded
The traps that cost moneyIncludedIncluded
Your actual bank, super fund, retailerGeneric names onlyIncluded
Official forms, prefilledNot includedPowered plan
Every email, AI draftedNot includedPowered plan
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What catches people out

Six things that cost people time

The ones most guides miss.

1. Medicare cannot be done in myGov

There's no myGov button for it. Call 132 011 or visit a service centre. myGov only holds contact details and a preferred name.Done on the call. Your Medicare number never changes. New card in about 3 weeks.

2. Your new passport is probably free

Changing name by marriage, divorce or reverting, with 2 or more years left on your passport? The replacement is free, same expiry date.

3. Getting a copy certified is free

A JP, pharmacist, police officer, accountant or Australia Post agent certifies a photocopy at no charge. Get several certified in one visit to avoid delays. Only an extra original certificate from your registry costs money.

4. The wedding-day certificate is not the one they want

The celebrant's decorative copy has no legal standing. Organisations want the official one from Births, Deaths and Marriages, including Westpac, CBA and the passport office.

5. Most banks still make you visit a branch

Of 29 banks we track, only Up, ANZ (sole ANZ Plus account) and AMP handle it online. Macquarie wants a witnessed statutory declaration. Every bank's method.

6. Married in Australia? No deed poll needed

Your marriage certificate alone is legal proof for taking, adding or hyphenating a surname. You only need a formal change of name for an overseas marriage, a brand-new name, or a given name change.

Step-by-step by place

Specific updates, one at a time

Driver licenceYour most important first update.Read more → MedicareDone on one phone call, no form to fill in.Read more → PassportA new passport in your new name.Read more → Bank accountsEasy once your ID is updated.Read more →

Common questions

Name change checklist FAQ

Do I need to register a name change after getting married in Australia?

No. If you married in Australia and are taking or adding your partner's surname, your official marriage certificate issued by Births, Deaths and Marriages is your legal proof. You do not register anything separately and you do not need a deed poll. You simply present the certificate to each organisation on this list. You only register a formal change of name if you married overseas, want a brand new name, or are changing a given name.

What order should I change my name in Australia?

Start with your driver licence, because almost every other organisation accepts it as proof on its own. Then Medicare on 132 011, the ATO and Centrelink. Then your passport if you travel. Then banks and superannuation. Then your employer, professional registrations and utilities. Leave loyalty programs and subscriptions until last. Working in this order means you stop having to carry your certificate everywhere after the first step.

How many places do I need to update when I change my name?

It depends on your life: how many bank accounts, super funds, insurers, loyalty programs and subscriptions you hold. The Surname Switch app tracks 66 kinds of organisation, plus the named providers within them, such as your own bank or super fund, so your plan lists only the ones you actually use.

How long does it take to update your name with all organisations?

Sending the notifications takes a few hours once you have the wording ready. Processing is what takes time and it varies: Medicare updates on the call with a new card in about three weeks, banks take 3 to 5 days, and a passport takes 2 to 6 weeks. Loyalty programs and subscriptions are usually instant.

What proof do I need to change my name?

For marriage, the official marriage certificate from Births, Deaths and Marriages, not the decorative one your celebrant gave you on the day. For a formal change, your change of name certificate. Many organisations also want current photo ID alongside it, which is why the driver licence goes first.

Can I change my name online in Australia?

Some of it. The ATO takes about two minutes through myGov, and most loyalty programs and subscriptions are instant online. But your driver licence usually needs an in-person visit because most states take a new photo, Medicare needs a phone call on 132 011 rather than myGov, a passport must be lodged in person at Australia Post, and most banks want you in a branch.

Can I change my name for free in Australia?

If you married in Australia, yes. There is no government fee because your marriage certificate is already your proof. If you need to register a formal change of name, your state registry charges roughly $130 to $220, paid directly to them. Getting copies of your certificate certified is free at a Justice of the Peace, pharmacist or Australia Post.

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