How to Set Up myID and Use It to Sign In to myGov in Australia

If you deal with the Australian Taxation Office, Medicare or Centrelink online, you will keep meeting two similar names: myGov and myID. They are not the same thing, and mixing them up is the most common reason people get stuck. myGov is the portal where you reach government services in one place. myID is the Australian Government Digital ID app on your phone, formerly called myGovID, that proves who you are when you sign in.

Setting up myID takes patience the first time, because identity checks are strict by design. Once it is done, signing in becomes quicker. Here is how to do it properly.

Before you start

You will need a smartphone, a personal email address you can access, and identity documents. In most recent versions of the app, you need to be at least 15 years old. Have your documents ready before you begin, because stopping halfway to find a passport or licence is where most people lose momentum.

Common documents include an Australian passport, a driver licence, a Medicare card and a birth certificate. You will not need all of them. Most services, including myGov, need at least Standard strength, which usually means verifying two Australian identity documents.

Make sure you download the genuine app. Search for myID in the official App Store or Google Play store and check that the publisher is the Australian Taxation Office. Do not download it from a link in a text message or email, and never enter your details on a website that claims you must set up a new myID. Scammers have used the name change from myGovID to myID as a lure, and the tax office warns that you do not need to set up a new identity because of the rename.

Step 1: Download myID and create your account

Open the App Store or Google Play on your phone, search for myID, and install the app published by the Australian Taxation Office. Open it and choose to create an account. Enter your full name as it appears on your identity documents, your date of birth and a personal email address.

Choose a strong password for the app and, if your phone offers it, turn on fingerprint or face recognition for quicker access later. The app will send a verification message to your email address. Open that message and follow the link or code to confirm the address belongs to you. If the message does not arrive within a few minutes, check your spam folder before requesting another one.

Step 2: Verify your identity documents

Inside the app, follow the prompts to verify your identity. You will be asked to select documents and enter the details exactly as they appear on them. Type names, numbers and expiry dates carefully. A single mistyped character can cause a failed check, and repeated failures can lock the process for a time.

For most people, verifying two documents is enough to reach Standard strength. Some services need Strong strength, which requires more verification. The app will tell you what level you have reached and what else you need for the next level. If a document is rejected, check the details against the physical card or booklet, correct the error and try again.

Step 3: Set your sign in preferences

Once your identity is verified, check the security settings in the app. Turn on biometric sign in if you use it on your phone, and make sure notifications are allowed so you can approve sign in requests promptly. Your phone itself is now part of your security, so set a screen lock if you do not already have one, and keep your phone software up to date.

Take a moment to note which email address you used for myID. You will need that same address every time you sign in to a service with myID. If you change email addresses later, update it inside the app rather than creating a second identity, because duplicate identities cause confusion and can block access.

Step 4: Sign in to myGov with myID

Go to myGov in your browser and choose the sign in option for myID. Enter your myID email address on the sign in page and request a code. Open the myID app on your phone, where you will see the code to enter or a prompt to approve. Enter the code shown, or approve the request in the app, following the exact prompts on screen.

If you already have a myGov account, this links your verified identity to it for future sign ins. If not, create one and choose myID as your sign in option during setup. After your first successful sign in, test it again by signing out and back in.

Step 5: Keep myID working when life changes

If you get a new phone, install myID on the new device and sign in with your existing email address and password before you wipe the old phone. Your identity is tied to your account, not to one handset, but the transfer works far more smoothly when both phones are available. If you have already wiped the old phone, follow the recovery prompts in the app and be prepared to verify your identity again.

If your name changes, or a document is renewed, update the details in the app when prompted. If you lose access to your email address, recover that first, because it is the key to your myID account. Treat any message asking you to click a link to reconfirm myID with suspicion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is myID the same as myGovID?

Yes, in practical terms. myID is the new name for the Australian Government Digital ID app formerly called myGovID. The name changed in November 2024, but existing users kept the same details and identity strength, and the app works the same way.

What identity strength do I need for myGov?

Most services, including myGov, need at least a Standard strength identity, which usually means verifying two Australian identity documents. The app shows your current strength and what is needed for the next level.

What should I do if my identity verification keeps failing?

Check every detail against the physical document, including spelling, numbers and expiry dates, and try again with current documents. If the problem continues, check that you are using the genuine app from the official store and follow the help prompts inside the app rather than trusting a link sent by message or email.