Notable examples include insurer Australian Health Management which has registered more than 13,000 members to its voice verification platform.

Digital subscription television provider Austar is also using voice biometrics.

One of the biggest facial recognition projects being undertaken in Australia today is SmartGate, an automated border processing system for airports.

SmartGate, which is being used for border control, begins operating at Australian international airports this year at a cost of $61.7 million.

The project is part of the National Identity Security Strategy launched by the federal Attorney General, Philip Ruddock, last year.

Launching the strategy Ruddock identified the lack of consistent standards as a major obstacle to more widespread use of biometrics.

"Closed and proprietary biometric solutions mean that standards are developing in different ways and there is a lack of interoperability across government agencies," Ruddock said.

"This is inefficient and creates increased cost. It is an issue we will continue to examine."