The last time I went to pick up a product (AirPods) it required government issued photo ID (Australian driver's license), even though I had the Apple Store app which made the purchase installed on my phone.
Bought my iPhone 6S from Apple in Ausralia: ID required under Australian law.
Very likely the person also bought a phone with a sim/service, hence being asked for ID (under Australian law.)
My guess is that they paid online for in-store pickup, and Apple asked for ID to confirm they're the one that made the purchase. In which case that's an Apple thing, not a government thing.
Bought my iPhone 6S from Apple in Ausralia: ID required under Australian law.
Very likely the person also bought a phone with a sim/service, hence being asked for ID (under Australian law.)
In Australia, do you need to show ID when you buy random electronics for cash? If you pay cash in an Apple Store, do you need to show ID?
Buying Apple hardware used, at swap meets etc, seems the best option. As long as it's not been stolen, anyway. But you can test for that, before paying.