How to Set Up myGov in Australia

Set Up myGov: Your Digital Gateway to Australian Government

myGov is the Australian government's single sign-on hub. It links you to tax, Medicare, welfare, and other services. You'll use it to apply for a TFN, enrol in Medicare, and manage government documents. Setting up takes 10 minutes.

What Is myGov?

myGov is a secure online portal that connects you to multiple government agencies. Instead of creating accounts with each service separately, you log in to myGov once and access everything linked to your account.

Services you can link to myGov:

- ATO (Australian Taxation Office): Tax file number, tax returns, refunds.
- Services Australia: Medicare, Centrelink (unemployment, family payments), child support.
- ASIC: Business registration, company details.
- DVA (Department of Veterans' Affairs): If you're eligible for veteran benefits.
- NRS (National Relay Service): Communication support.

For most new migrants, you'll use myGov to access ATO and Medicare.

Before You Start

You'll need:
- Email address (personal or work)
- Phone number (any number, including international)
- Password (at least 8 characters, with numbers and letters)
- A document to verify your identity (passport, driver's licence, Medicare card)

Step 1: Create Your myGov Account

1. Go to my.gov.au in your browser.

2. Click "Create an account." Look for the blue button on the homepage.

3. Enter your email address. Use a personal email you check regularly. This is how the government contacts you.

4. Create a password. At least 8 characters. Include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and a symbol (e.g., MyPass123!).

5. Enter your phone number. Any phone number works, even international. The ATO will text a verification code to this number.

6. Enter your name and date of birth. Exactly as shown in your passport.

7. Review the terms. Read the privacy and security notice. Tick "I agree."

8. Click "Create account." You'll see a confirmation message.

Step 2: Verify Your Identity

Within 24 hours, myGov will ask you to verify your identity. You have two options.

### Option 1: Verify with a Government Document (Recommended)

1. Go back to my.gov.au. Log in with your email and password.

2. Click "Verify your identity." You'll see two options: Government document or Australian bank account.

3. Choose "Government document." Upload a digital copy of your passport. Take a clear photo or scan both the front and back pages.

4. Check your email. Within 24 hours, myGov will send a confirmation that your identity is verified.

Time: 24 hours.

### Option 2: Verify with an Australian Bank Account

1. Link your bank account. If you've already opened an Australian bank account, you can use it to verify instead.

2. Enter your account details. BSB (bank-state branch) and account number from your bank.

3. The bank will deposit two small amounts (AUD 0.01 to AUD 0.50) to your account.

4. Return to myGov and enter those amounts. This confirms you own the account.

5. Verification complete. myGov will confirm within 1 hour.

Time: 1-2 hours (depending on when your bank processes deposits).

Tip: If you haven't opened a bank account yet, use the government document option. It's faster and doesn't require a bank.

Step 3: Link the ATO Service

Once your identity is verified, link the Australian Taxation Office so you can apply for a TFN.

1. Log in to myGov. Use your email and password.

2. Click "Link an organisation." You'll see a link to add services.

3. Search for "Australian Taxation Office" or scroll to find it.

4. Click "ATO." You'll be taken to the ATO's secure portal.

5. Answer security questions. The ATO will ask questions to verify you. Examples:
- "What was the postcode of your address in [country] five years ago?"
- "What is your passport number?"
- Dates of visa grants or employment history.

6. Return to myGov. Once verified, the ATO service is linked. You'll see it on your dashboard.

Time: 5-10 minutes.

Step 4: Link Medicare (If Eligible)

If your visa qualifies for Medicare (permanent resident, skilled migrant, certain temporary visas, or RHCA countries), link Services Australia.

1. From your myGov dashboard, click "Link an organisation."

2. Search for "Services Australia." Or scroll to find it.

3. Click "Services Australia." You'll be taken to their secure portal.

4. Answer security questions. Similar to the ATO, they'll ask questions to verify your identity.

5. Return to myGov. Once verified, Services Australia is linked. You can now apply for Medicare.

Time: 5-10 minutes.

Your myGov Dashboard

Once set up, your myGov dashboard shows:

- Linked services: ATO, Services Australia, ASIC, etc.
- Inbox messages: Government agencies send important letters here.
- Document storage: Your tax returns, Medicare card details, etc.
- Action required: Links to TFN applications, tax returns, or other tasks.

Check your myGov inbox weekly for government messages.

Common Issues and Solutions

"I verified my identity, but the ATO or Medicare link isn't working."

- Wait 24 hours. Sometimes verification takes time to sync across agencies.
- Manually link again. Click "Link an organisation" and re-enter your details.
- If it still fails, call the ATO on 13 28 61 (08:00 am–18:00 pm, Monday to Friday). They can manually enable the link.

"The security questions are asking about Australian addresses, but I've never lived here."

- Answer as best you can. If you can't answer, click "I don't know" and the system will ask different questions.
- If all questions fail, the agency will send you a letter or SMS with a verification code. Follow the link in the SMS to verify instead.

"I'm getting an error when I try to create my account."

- Clear your browser cookies. Use a different browser (Firefox, Safari, or Chrome).
- Disable pop-up blockers or browser extensions.
- Try again on a different device (phone, tablet, laptop).

"Can I link myGov to my spouse's account?"

- No. Each person has their own myGov account. Your spouse needs to create a separate account.
- You can't view each other's accounts. This is by law (privacy).

Keeping Your myGov Secure

1. Use a strong password. At least 8 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.

2. Enable text message verification. When you log in from a new device, myGov texts a code to your phone.

3. Don't share your password. Not with your employer, migration agent, or family.

4. Check for phishing emails. The ATO never asks for personal details via email. If an email asks for your password, it's fake. Delete it.

5. Update your contact details. If you change your phone number, update myGov within 7 days. This ensures you receive verification codes.

Accessing myGov on Your Phone

1. Download the myGov app. Search "myGov" in the Apple App Store or Google Play.

2. Log in with your email and password.

3. Set up Face ID or fingerprint (optional but recommended).

4. You can now apply for TFN, check Medicare status, and manage services from your phone.

Tip: The app is easier to use than the website on mobile.

What to Do Next

1. Create myGov account today. It takes 10 minutes.
2. Verify your identity within 24 hours. Use a passport or bank account.
3. Link ATO within 24 hours of verification. You'll answer security questions.
4. Apply for TFN via ATO. Once linked, click "Tax file number" under ATO services.
5. Link Services Australia if you need Medicare.