Page 6 of The Australian newspaper on September 11 2001, one month before the launch of the Biometrics Institute
We were founded in Australia on 11 October 2001, with the Australian Taxation Office, Department of Home Affairs, Federal Police, and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade among our first members.
Explore the timeline below to see how we have developed into a global concern with a multi-stakeholder membership spanning over 40 countries.
A quarter-century of collective impact
2026 marks our Silver Jubilee, representing 25 years of independent good practice and thought leadership in the responsible and ethical use of biometrics.
We continue to be closely engaged with our members, regularly releasing viewpoint papers and solutions reports that demonstrate responsible use in practice. This collaboration ensures that expertise from our diverse stakeholder community is shared for the benefit of all. In 2025, our supplier members shared innovation and practical insights in our Members’ concepts and solutions for the future of responsible biometrics report.
To celebrate our 2026 milestone, amongst other activities, we are releasing a new Concepts and Solutions Report: Biometrics – Keeping it Real. This latest edition will focus on the role of biometrics in verifying who is real – exploring how to secure systems, prove presence, remove friction and prevent fraud.
Our anniversary reports
To mark our 20th anniversary in 2021, we released a commemorative report aimed at promoting greater awareness of the biometrics community. You can still download a complimentary copy of the 20-year anniversary report to find out more about our history and the many success stories our members have played a part in.
