Guide

How to upload documents for an online application

Instructions for uploading documents when you apply for a NSW Government service or support online.

When you apply for a NSW Government service or support, you might need to provide details from a document to confirm your identity or prove your eligibility. Sometimes we'll ask you to upload a copy of the document to confirm your details.

Make sure your name, address and all the details requested are clearly visible when you submit your documents.

Cover your tax file number

If you are providing a document with your tax file number, we recommend you cover your tax file number before uploading documents. If we need your tax file number, we'll ask for it.

File name and format

When you start your online application you'll get instructions for uploading files. 

Generally the file must:

  • be saved in the format requested such as JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, TIF
  • be less than 6 MB in size
  • include letters and numbers only in the file name (no spaces or special characters).

Help with files and formats

The Australian Government's Be Connected program has short articles and tips to help you manage, save and share files.

If you have digital documents

Save your digital documents in the required file format to the device you'll use for your application, ready to upload.

If you have paper documents

Here are some options if you only have a paper copy of the document you need for your online application.

Get a digital copy from the document provider

  1. Ask the document provider to email you a copy of the document.
  2. Save the attachments as files to the device you'll use for your application.
  3. Upload the documents when you apply online.

Scan the document

If you have a document scanner:

  1. Scan the documents.
  2. Save the scanned documents on the device you'll use for your application.
  3. Upload the documents when you apply online.

If you need help, you can contact your local library, print shop or post office and ask if they can scan your documents. Fees may apply.

Take a photo of the document

If you do not have a document scanner:

  1. Take a photo of the documents with your phone.
  2. You can either:
    1. save the photo of the document to a location where you can upload it when you apply online, or
    2. send the photos of your documents to an email account on the device you'll use for your application.
  3. Upload the documents when you apply online.

Troubleshooting for photos of documents

If you used a phone or tablet to take a photo of your documents, the file may be in HEIC (high efficiency image coding) format. Some online applications do not allow files in this format.

To convert a photo of a document to an accepted format:

  1. Email the photo to yourself.
  2. Open the email on a computer or tablet.
  3. Open and save the image of your document as a JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG or TIF file.

Alternatively, you can change your camera settings to disable HEIC, take the photo and then turn HEIC back on.

Stay safe online

If you need to email a document to yourself so you can access it on another device:

  1. Save the document to a location where you can upload it with your application.
  2. After you save the document, delete the email with the file. 

The Australian Cyber Security Centre has helpful tips for email account security.

Last updated: 4 March 2025