Tens of thousands of identity documents are reported lost in the Australian post each year, according to government figures obtained by 7.30.

The data shows around 3,200 Australian passports were reported "lost in the post" over the past three years after being sent via registered mail.

More than 70,000 Queensland driver's licences and photo ID cards were also declared lost in the post by customers over the same period.

The Queensland government says 25,000 identity documents were reported lost in the post in the last financial year.

While the number of passports and licences declared lost in the post only represents a very small proportion of the millions sent each year — around 1 per cent or less — identity theft experts have described the figures as "concerning".

IDCare founder Dav

See Full Page