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Set up your access to Online services for business

Set up your access to Online services for business (text version).

Last updated 10 March 2024

MyGovID and RAM

For simple, secure and flexible access to Online services for business, you will need both:

  • myGovID – an app you download to your smart device that lets you prove who you are online
  • Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM) – an authorisation service that allows you to act on behalf of a business online once you've linked your business with your myGovID.

Who needs to use myGovID and RAM?

You’ll need to use myGovID and RAM if you:

  • use Online services for business
  • use Access Manager
  • access other government online services for business, such as the Australian Business Register (ABR)
  • need to authorise others (such as your employees) to access government online services on behalf of your business
  • are a tax professional using Online services for agents.

Benefits of using myGovID and RAM

It’s simple – use your myGovID to unlock multiple government online services including Online services for business.

It’s flexible – use your myGovID on the go, anywhere and anytime.

It’s secure – myGovID uses security features in your device to protect your identity and information.

It’s streamlined – use RAM to manage all your authorisations in one place.

myGovID is different to myGov

myGovID is an app you download to your smart device which lets you prove who you are and log in to a range of government online services, such as Online services for business and your myGov account.

Your myGov account lets you link to services like the ATO, Centrelink, Medicare and more.

You'll need a compatible smart device

You’ll need a compatible smart device. The myGovID app is compatible with most smart devices but performs best on devices using the latest operating system or previous two versions

Note: If you incur expenses associated with setting up and using your myGovID to access online services, you may be able to claim a tax deduction.

You'll also need two Australian identity documents – such as your passport, driver’s licence, birth certificate, visa (using your foreign passport) or Medicare card.

Your name should match on these two documents. However, if you’ve had a change in name, you may be able to verify this using a marriage certificate or change of name certificate (Tasmania, South Australia, Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory only).

Get started in a few simple steps

You only need to set up once; then you can use myGovID again and again to access our online services.

Step 1: Set up your myGovID

To set up your myGovID:

  • download the myGovID app, available from the App Store or Google Play
  • follow the prompts to enter your full name, date of birth and email address. Use a personal email address that belongs to you and is not shared
  • verify your two identity documents – if you're verifying your Medicare card, it will appear as an option after you verify your first document.

Note: If you have trouble scanning your identity documents, you can select Edit to change the details or enter the details manually.

For more information, visit mygovid.gov.au/set-upExternal Link.

Step 2: Link your myGovID to your business using RAM

You must be the principal authority (business owner or person responsible for the business) to link your business’s ABN to your myGovID.

Where 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.

If no one else has linked, go to info.authorisationmanager.gov.au/principal-authorityExternal Link to find out how to link your business.

Step 3: Log in to Online services for business

You've now finished setting up myGovID and RAM.

Your myGovID app will only be used for the log in step. When you log in to Online services for business a four-digit code will appear at the login screen when you enter your email address. You need to enter this code in the myGovID app. Log in to Online services for business.

Additional steps

Set up authorisations in RAM

Use RAM to authorise others to act on behalf of your business (for example, if you have employees who access Online services for business on behalf of your business).

Employees

Before you authorise employees, check they have set up their myGovID. As myGovID belongs to them and not the business, your staff should set it up using their personal email address.

When you authorise an employee in RAM, you need to enter their legal name (which matches the name used to set up their myGovID) and an email address. They will then receive an authorisation request by email and have seven days to accept it using their myGovID.

Note: If you need to customise someone’s access and permissions, you will be directed through RAM to use Access Manager.

Tax or BAS agents

The process for authorising tax or BAS agents outside your business (for example, tax professionals who are not your employees) is different. Your agent will contact us to work on your behalf and access your records through their online services. This means you won’t use RAM to authorise them.

Using software to report to us

If you use cloud-based Standard Business Reporting (SBR)-enabled software, you don’t need to take additional steps – your software provider will do this for you.

If you use desktop or locally hosted software (not cloud), you may need to undertake additional steps – visit info.authorisationmanager.gov.au/machinecredentialsExternal Link

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