What is it?
MyGovID is a combined Federal and State government digital proof of identity system. It allows you to log into several Federal and State Government systems and portals without having to provide identification documents or login details. You enter your email address the app will provide you with a code to authenticate you into the government website/system.
Why do I need one?
The list of government services using the identity verification system is rapidly growing. We started with it over 12 months ago as a way for our staff to log into the ATO tax agent system. Since then it has been used as identity verification for a number of new systems including: MyGov, Centrelink, DirectorID, ServiceWA, Online Services for Agents, Online Services for Business, Relationship Authorisation Manager, ATO Business Portal, Australian Business Register, RevenueWA, RevenueSA, Export Market Development Grant application. The list will only grow and whilst many of these systems still provide another way to login, soon MyGovID will be the dominant method.
How do I set one up?
You need a smartphone, two identity documents, an email address (you can’t share email addresses) and be 15 or older.
Go to the Google Play/Apple App Store and download the MyGovID app (not to be confused with the MyGov code generator). It looks like this:
Enter your details in the App. Name, DOB, email address.
Enter your identity document details. I find that the best documents to use are your Australian passport, Drivers licence and Medicare card. Tip – enter the details manually, the card scanning option does a very poor job.
Use your personal email for myGovID
While you may use it for work, your myGovID is your personal digital identity. Your myGovID can be used for both personal and business matters. To ensure you have ongoing access to your myGovID, you should set it up using a personal email address, not a shared or work email address. If you need to update your email address go to My identity in your myGovID app and select your myGovID email.
Contact us if you have any issues and we will do our best to help you work through them.
