ASIC Cost - Please Explain?

[MagnumPI]

Just completed the first stage of an ASIC renewal. $256 and some cents on the end for a 2 year validity period. That's nearly $11 a month.

That is before the cost of getting the photos done and the time required in attending the now ridiculous requirement to have an interview with a 'qualified agent' who presumably only works during Monday to Friday business hours, so I have to organise time off work.

For comparison, a 10 year NSW driver's licence is $334 or $167 with the 50% discount under the 'Fair Go For Safe Drivers' scheme. That works out to under $2.78 a month or $1.39 with the discount.

Perhaps a more relevant comparison would be an Australian passport, where the renewal cost is $282 for 10 years, a cost of $2.35 a month.

This might seem like penny pinching - and it isn't, thankfully I can afford it - but why is the cost of getting an ASIC so much higher than a driver's licence or a passport? Arguably the tech involved in making a passport costs a lot more, given that the ASIC is just a !!!!ty plastic red card.

Also, why is it that the cost through Aviation ID (the one CASA recommends) more expensive than other third parties that I found through Google after doing a bit of research - e.g. one says their fee is $223. Are these third parties legit or a scam?

[Clare Prop]

Maybe CASA should have put it out to tender as the so-called "CASA ASICs" are done by a private company. I understand that's normal for government contracts.

There are plenty of alternatives out there as you saw from Google.

[YPJT]

A big reason for the steep increase in prices is that as of 01 Aug 2017, all applicants are required to do a face to face ID verification with the issuing body or their agent. It is when you get agents doing the ID check for the issuing body that the additional costs come it. Unfortunately, there was no way around this. People in remote parts of Australia are really struggling getting ASIC renewals now.

Some issuing bodies had to go to Australia Post and enter into very expensive agreements for them to do the ID checks. Not only the cost of setting up the account, on top is the individual cost for the applicant having your ID checked and not all Australia Post outlets can do the ID verification.

The cheapest option is for you to go and do a face to face application with one of the issuing bodies listed on the Department's website.

Arguably the tech involved in making a passport costs a lot more, given that the ASIC is just a !!!!ty plastic red card.

The passport definitely has more security features but the machine to put the pretty foil strip overlapping your photo is quite an expensive bit of kit.

[Lead Balloon]

But think of all the security benefits. You can’t put a price on security!

[StickWithTheTruth]

I understand the cost of having agents and issuing people's ASICs isn't a full time job, however I did not enjoy dealing with my agent. He was difficult to pin down to his office, was more interested in his other business and had the worst attitude which basically suggested that I knew nothing and he knew everything. That was in the 10-15 mins that I dealt with him. Pity those that have to have an interview.

[rioncentu]

Magnum, don't go trying to make sense of ANYTHING to do with the ASIC at all.

I love how this new face to face system requires the agent to "verify your operational need"

So after all the hoop jumping, background checks, photos and forms, it's still up to the dude you collect from to "verify your operational need".

Band head against wall.

[Lead Balloon]

But we are, after all, presumptively all terrorists, SWTT.

[StickWithTheTruth]

The best part about the agent nowadays is that you don't have to get your documents witnessed like you used to.

[megan]

After retirement I got an ASIC in the mail. Just had to have some cosmetic surgery and change my name and I was good to go. Never held one, nor applied for one in my entire life.

[thorn bird]

I tell people overseas the ASIC is my ISIS membership card.
Thats about how useful it is.

[YPJT]

So after all the hoop jumping, background checks, photos and forms, it's still up to the dude you collect from to "verify your operational need".

Two different things here. The ID verification is making sure the applicant is who they say they are. Verifying the operational need is not giving every man and his dog an ASIC just because they ask for it.

[Ixixly]

Now usually I'll be the last one to try and make an excuse for CASA, but wouldn't the big difference between getting a Passport and getting an ASIC be the sheer number of people doing so? Ie sharing the cost of Passports between millions of people as opposed to ASIC being shared between Tens of Thousands?

I still think they're a useless pile of garbage but the cost does make some sort of sense to me when I think about it that way.

[Dick Smith]

ASIC not required in the USA , the home of September 11, for most pilots.

Drivers licence photo ID OK.

[rjtjrt]

Originally Posted by Ixixly

Now usually I'll be the last one to try and make an excuse for CASA, but wouldn't the big difference between getting a Passport and getting an ASIC be the sheer number of people doing so? Ie sharing the cost of Passports between millions of people as opposed to ASIC being shared between Tens of Thousands?

I still think they're a useless pile of garbage but the cost does make some sort of sense to me when I think about it that way.

If that is the case, why not outsource it to Passport people, and thus amortise the cost of both passports and asic amoungst a bigger number of “sales”.

[KittyKatKaper]

Originally Posted by rjtjrt

If that is the case, why not outsource it to Passport people, and thus amortise the cost of both passports and asic amoungst a bigger number of “sales”.

Because the main purposes of large organisations are empire-building and self-preservation.

Uttering the magic word 'security' is sufficient to keep politicians in line and preserve the gravy train.

[mostlytossas]

Now come on fellas. I'm sure we all feel so much more secure wearing that nice little red photo around our necks. It not only purifies you and prevents baldness, but makes you immune from personal or missile attack.What terrorist would dare threaten a wearer of an ASIC? I know when I go to bed each night I sleep so much better knowing I have my ASIC to protect me!It is that same warm fuzzy feeling that you get standing in a cold ocean and piss your pants.

[MagnumPI]

Now $280 for a 2 year renewal through AviationID Australia.

Is there anywhere substantially cheaper?

Was the government supposed to be taking ASIC issuance back 'in house' or did I just imagine it?

[Bosi72]

I recently obtained an electronic CASA crew licence for a Google wallet.
As part of the identification process I had to face a phone camera for about a minute whilst the app was doing some terminator-style vision processing.
Even though I didn't shave for 3-4 weeks, the app still recognised my face.

I don't see why the cost of ASIC/AVID is high when it can be processed electronically and they already have the system in place which cross-check the data across multiple agencies.


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[thunderbird five]

Your face was impressive?

[Ascend Charlie]

And your current ARSLIC* isn't any kind of proof of who you are when it's time for renewal. Brilliant.





*Australian Really Secure Legitimate Identification Card