Accessing online services with myGovID and RAM

What is myGovID and RAM

myGovIDExternal Link is the Australian Government's Digital Identity app. Download it to your smart device to prove who you are when logging in to a range of government online services. It is different to a myGov account.

RAMExternal Link is an authorisation service that allows you to act on behalf of a business online when linked with your myGovID. You'll use your myGovID to log in to RAM.

Together, myGovID and RAM allow you to access our online services on behalf of a business or entity.

myGovID is changing to myID

Soon myGovID will be changing to myID. The app will have a new name and new look, but you’ll continue to use it in the same way.  

There is nothing you need to do. You will still have:  

• Your same details: there’s no need to set up a new myID. Your login details (including email address) and identity strength remain the same.  
• Continued use: your existing app should automatically update to myID. You can also manually update it from the App Store or Google Play once it’s available.  
• Access to services: you can still use the app to securely access a range of government online services.

As we say goodbye to myGovID and welcome myID, our commitment remains to provide you with a more secure and flexible way to prove who you are online.  

Find out more at myGovID.gov.au/DiscovermyIDExternal Link. 

Our online services that require myGovID

You need to use myGovID to log in to:

• Online services for business
• Online services for agents
• Online services for digital service providers
• Online services for foreign investors – you'll also need to register and may have some extra steps to access Online services for foreign investors
• Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) online
• Access Manager
• Australian Business Register (ABR)
• ABR Explorer
• Departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP) online application system.

View a list of all government online servicesExternal Link you can access using myGovID.

Set up your myGovID

Your myGovID is unique to you and can't be shared. As it's your personal Digital Identity, you should set up your myGovID using a personal email address. You should not use a shared or work email address.

Set up your myGovID in 3 steps:

1. Download the myGovID app from the App Store or Google Play. The app is compatible with most smart devices.

External Link  External Link

Only download the myGovID app from the official app stores listed above. Avoid the non-genuine versions of the myGovID app, available from other sources.

2. Enter your details – open the myGovID app and follow the prompts to enter your full name, date of birth and personal email address.
3. Verify your identity – all of our online services can be accessed using a myGovIDExternal Link with a Standard or Strong identity strength. If you have trouble verifying your identity documents or photo, refer to Verifying your identityExternal Link.

Unable to achieve a Standard identity strength

Business directors or associates

If there's no principal authorityExternal Link with at least a Standard myGovID who can link the business in RAM, you won't be able to use myGovID at this time.

Your business will need to use a different lodgment option like Business software or a registered tax agent.

Employees

If you can't achieve a Standard myGovID, you may be able to use a myGovID with a Basic identity strength to access some of our online services. You'll need to complete some extra steps.

For more information, see Accessing our online services with a Basic myGovID.

Link your myGovID to a business using RAM

To access our online services on behalf of a business or entity, you need to link your myGovID to the business using RAM.

How you link to myGovID depends on whether you're a:

• Principal authority (including primary person) – person responsible for a business or entity
• Authorised user or administrator – someone who acts on behalf of a business or entity.

Before an authorised user or administrator can link their myGovID in RAM, the principal authority must link their Australian business number (ABN) in RAM first.

Principal authority (including primary person)

As the principal authority, you need to start the process by linking your ABN to your myGovID in RAM. This must be done before you or others can access government online services on behalf of the business.

If a principal authority or authorisation administrator is already acting on behalf of the business online, they can authorise you in RAM to act on behalf of the business.

The principal authority is either a:

• sole trader
• eligible individual associate listed on an ABN in the ABR such as a
  • trustee
  • director
  • partner
• primary person (no individuals listed as an associate in the ABR) such as a
  • director of a corporate trustee
  • authorised contact for a government agency
  • responsible person for an Australian charity.

To link the business in RAM as a principal authorityExternal Link, you need a Standard or Strong myGovID.

Once linked, you can access our online services on behalf of your business or entity and set up authorisationsExternal Link for others to act on behalf of your entity.

Authorised user or administrator

To access our online services on behalf of a business or entity, a principal authority or authorisation administrator needs to authorise you in RAM.

Once you receive an authorisation request, use your myGovID to log in to RAM and accept the authorisationExternal Link. You have 7 days to accept or decline the authorisation request before the code expires.

The principal authority is the person responsible for the business or a business associate – for example, a sole trader, trustee, director or public officer.

Authorisation administrators can set up authorisationsExternal Link for others in RAM.

Business software user

If you use Standard Business Reporting (SBR) enabled software to interact with our online services, you'll need a machine credentialExternal Link.

If you use cloud-based SBR-enabled software, your digital service provider will build the credential into your software.

If you use desktop or locally hosted software, you'll need to create a machine credentialExternal Link using RAM.

Support

You can find more information on:

• myGovID HelpExternal Link
• RAM HelpExternal Link
• myGovID – claiming deductions for phone and internet expenses for a business
• myGovID expenses you can claim as an employee.

Videos

You can watch this video to learn more about business experiences with myGovID and Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM)External Link.

Trademarks and attributions

Android, Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries and regions. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.