Unisys will provide the systems and software for the Department of Immigration to authenticate identity through facial images and fingerprints.

The open tender, first issued November 2005, is specifically for the provision of DIMA's biometric systems and is part of the larger border security upgrade program.

Detention facilities will first roll out the biometrics system after the contract is signed sometime in July 2006.

DIMA has already purchased systems to both store and manage facial images in a central database called the Identity Services Repository.

Allen Koehn, Unisys ANZ public sector managing partner said contract details are still being finalized.