What is a shared secret?
During the registration process we ask you to provide information to answer two shared secrets. These shared secrets help prove your identity before we allow you to use our online services.
Shared secret information is specific personal information relating to you that is provided to us by either yourself or by certain organisations and institutions.
The details you enter will need to match our records. These can be details from:
- a notice of assessment (NOA) (issued within the last five financial years)
- bank account details (interest bearing investment account from the last two financial years or the account provided to us for income tax refunds)
- a PAYG payment summary (provided by your employer, from either of last two financial years)
- a dividends statement (from either of the last two financial years)
- a Centrelink payment summary (from either of the last two financial years)
- a superannuation account member contribution statement (from any of the last five financial years).
Only shared secrets where we have information available for you will be visible for selection. Some shared secret information is provided to us progressively by information providers (for example, a PAYG payment summary from your employer) throughout the income year, with most available by mid-August.
What is a notice of assessment?
A notice of assessment (NOA) displays your tax refund or tax owing on your taxable income. You receive a NOA from us after you've lodged your tax return. You need a NOA issued within any of the last five financial years.
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View an example of a notice of assessment
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Why do I get an error message when using a notice of assessment (NOA) as a shared secret?
After an income tax return is processed, data from the NOA is uploaded weekly for online registration use. If you have specified information from a recent NOA and you received an error you can try a NOA from an earlier year, as the most recent NOA information may not be available yet.
You can use details for assessment notices issued within the last five financial years.
What is a PAYG payment summary?
Your PAYG payment summary (formerly known as a group certificate) is provided to you by your employer at the end of each financial year.
A PAYG payment summary shows your total taxable income for the financial year and the tax your employer withheld.
If you have specified information from a recent PAYG payment summary and you received an error you can try a payment summary from an earlier year, as the most recent payment summary information may not have been provided by your employer.
You can use a payment summary received from the last two financial years.
What is a dividend investment number?
A dividend investment number will appear on any dividend statement you may have received. A dividend statement outlines the distribution of profits from investments in shares you hold. You will need one of your dividend investment numbers valid from any of the last two financial years.
What is a Centrelink payment summary?
A Centrelink payment summary outlines your total taxable benefits amount issued from Centrelink for the financial year. You will need one of your Centrelink payment summaries from any of the last two financial years.
Which bank account details do I need?
You can use any interest bearing investment account from the last two financial years. Do not use your mortgage offset account or everyday account. Your bank reports this information to us by the 15th August each year.
You can also use bank account details that may have been provided to us when lodging your income tax return for refund purposes.
If you use a registered tax agent, and they receive the refund on your behalf, the bank details reported to us may be those belonging to your tax agent.
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If you need to update/check your bank details phone 13 28 61, between 8.00am and 6.00pm Monday to Friday to speak with a customer service representative.
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Which superannuation account details do I need?
You can generally use details from any of your super account member contribution statements you have received from your fund within the last five years.
However, sometimes the member account number reported to us may not match the member number or account number reported on your statement. If this occurs, you will need to use one of the other shared secrets to register.
For example, for Commonwealth public service schemes (CSS and PSS), the Australian Government service number on your statement is not the account number reported to us.
Why did I receive a message stating I am unable to verify?
This means we are unable to verify your identity online. You will need to phone us on 13 28 61, between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Sections within Individuals
Last Modified: Friday, 31 May 2013