What is myGovID?
myGovID is the government's (relatively) new way of easily identifying yourself online. To put it simply, myGovID is a way of identifying yourself and accessing online government services for personal and business matters. Rather than holding numerous passwords and codes for access to the vast sea of government services, myGovID is your single access point to them all.
It’s most commonly used to access business related government services including the ATO Business Portal and the Australian Business Register (ABR), however myGovID can also be used to access myGov services for individuals like Centrelink and Medicare, and will soon be the main gateway for all MyGov services.
What’s the difference between MyGovID & MyGov?
myGov
MyGov has generally been the go to for individuals to log in online and access government services. These services include:
- Medicare
- MyTax
- Centrelink
- Child Support
- My Health Record
You can log in online or on the myGov app using a username, password and usually a text message code to authorise yourself. This is a central hub for services that individuals need to access, rather than businesses or trusts.
myGovID
As mentioned above, myGovID is used to prove your identity online and allow you to access personal and business services. It’s just like having a 100 point ID checker. Eventually everyone will use myGovID to access myGov services altogether. With the myGovID app and website, you can quickly sign-in and access tax, business and immigration services to name a few.
Do I need a myGovID?
Yes, everyone will need a myGovID so if you have not already, you might as well get a head start and set yourself up.
If you are a business owner or company director with a Directors ID, then you’ll already have a myGovID as this is part of the Directors ID setup process.
How to set up a myGovID
- Download the myGovID app to your smartphone from either the Apple Store or Google Play.
- Follow the prompts to set up and verify your identity. It is important you use your personal email address, not a shared business email.
- There are 3 levels of identity strengths; Basic, Standard and Strong, with Strong offering the most trust and more access to services. The Strong identity requires verification of all your identity documents (eg Medicare, Australian Drivers Licence, passport) and a face verification to be checked against your government records.
Benefits of myGovID app for businesses:
- No memorising numerous passwords and codes
- Easy to access government services
- Make tax payments securely
- Access to all tax alerts
- Tax history
myGovID for individuals
myGovID can be linked with a range of personal services that are currently accessed through the standard myGov. At this stage, the following services can be linked and accessed for individuals through myGovID:
- Easily log in to myGov using the myGovID app
- Access Centrelink
- Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)
- Apply for a Unique Student Identifier (USI)
How to link myGovID with myGov
- Make sure your myGovID is all set-up and you have the app downloaded.
- Go to my.gov.au
- Click continue with Digital Identity
- Choose myGovID as your identity provider and select continue with myGov
- Click consent to sharing your information with myGov
- Click continue and sign in with your myGov account to connect myGov and myGovID
- A message on the screen will confirm your myGovID and myGov are now connected.
Next time you go to sign-in to myGov, select continue with Digital Identity to use your myGovID.
At this stage, you cannot access Medicare or Covid-19 vaccine certificates within the myGov app. We will keep this blog updated when things change.
myGovID for businesses
myGovID is a handy access point for accessing online government services for your business or on behalf of a business you’re associated with.
With myGovID you can access the following government services for your business, and more:
- Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM)
- Australian Business Register (ABR)
- Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) online
- Business Registration Service
- Employer Support Payment Scheme
- Online services for business
- Payroll Tax (PTX) Express
- Workforce Australia Online for Businesses
For a complete list of the government services available, check out myGovID’s list of services.
myGovID And Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM)
To access most online services on behalf of a business, your myGovID must be linked to the Australian business number (ABN) in Relationship Authorisation ManagerExternal link (RAM). RAM is a management tool to allow other people to act on behalf of your business across gov services. This allows you to invite team members to your businesses services and give them permissions to access what you need them to.
How to link myGovID with RAM
- Make sure your myGovID is all set-up and you have the app downloaded.
- Use your myGovID to log in to RAM Here: RAM Login
- Click Link your Business and follow the prompts to add your ID to the businesses ABN. To do this, you will need to be an associate of the business - either a director or trustee, otherwise you may need to be invited by someone else.
- To invite others (if needed) on the RAM homepage, go to view or manage machine credentials and cloud software notifications. Make sure the user that you would like to add has their own myGovID. Use their business email address and send them an invite. This will send them a code. Then they will be able log in to RAM using their personal details and the code they received.
We recommend creating a myGovID as soon as possible if you haven’t already. Although it can be a little confusing when getting started, all these things should make your life easier when accessing government services personally or for your business.
If you need a hand setting up, just reach out and we’re always here to help.
Here’s some links for further information:
