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New data has shown that a record number of Australians are embracing digital Commonwealth statutory declarations available through myGov.
In the 2025–26 financial year, Australians signed more than 270,000 digital statutory declarations, coming to an 84 per cent increase from the previous period.
Launched by the Albanese government in 2024, nearly 450,000 statutory declarations have now been signed digitally.
The accessibility of statutory declarations has increased significantly in recent times, particularly through using myID on myGov, allowing Australians complete the legally binding declaration from their smartphone or computer in roughly four minutes, for free, anytime and anywhere.
This addresses the issue of the growing legal access crisis in regional and remote Australia, which highlights how geographic barriers, resource shortages and digital legal solutions are reshaping access to legal documentation.
During Cyber Security Awareness Month, the Honourable Victor Dominello, a former NSW minister for customer service and digital government, highlighted that digital ID could reduce identity fraud in conveyancing by securely verifying clients without sharing copies of identity documents, minimising data breaches and strengthening protection against property scams and increasingly sophisticated deepfakes.
When it comes to the justice system, with digital legal documentation and online evidence reshaping the justice landscape, social media speculation and internet sleuthing have raised critical questions about fair trials, the presumption of innocence, and the balance between open justice and digital accountability.
The highest number of digital declarations only emphasises the shifting nature of the traditional legal profession towards one saturated with technology usage.
This is further indicated by the fact that lawyers are increasingly encountering clients who have used ChatGPT to research legal issues and prepare documents before seeking legal advice from an actual legal professional.
Speaking exclusively to Lawyers Weekly, on the back of the statement regarding the record number of digital statutory declarations, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland recognised the changing landscape of legal documentation through increased digitisation.
“Digitising legal documents such as statutory declarations can make it easier for individuals and businesses to participate in the legal system and access government and other services when they need them,” Rowland said.
“Digitisation can improve access to justice by reducing practical barriers people may face when completing legal documents such as the need to travel, locate a witness, take time away from work or caring responsibilities, or incur additional costs.
“Digital legal services can be particularly beneficial for rural, regional and remote communities, as well as people with limited mobility, who may otherwise face challenges accessing in-person services.”
