Accessing online services with myGovID and RAM
To access our online services on behalf of a business or entity you'll need to use:
Together, myGovID and RAM provide simple, secure and flexible access to our online services.
Media: How to get started with myGovID and RAM
https://tv.ato.gov.au/ato-tv/media?v=bd1bdiunw8unkp (Duration: 01:50)
On this page:
Set up your myGovID
Anyone who accesses our online services on behalf of a business or entity will need their own myGovID.
Your myGovID is unique to you and cannot be shared. As it's your personal identity, you should set it up using a personal email address.
To set up your myGovID, download the myGovID app from the App Store or Google Play.
The myGovID app is compatible with most smart devices using:
- iOS 10 or later on Apple devices
- Android 7.0 (Nougat) or later. This excludes devices that use the Android Go operating system, such as Android One.
To achieve a Standard identity strength you'll need to verify two of the following Australian identity documents (your name must match on both):
- passport (not more than three years expired)
- driver’s licence including learner's permit
- birth certificate
- Medicare card.
If your name doesn't match across your two identity documents, you may be able to link your documents using a change of name certificate (Tasmania, South Australia, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory only) or marriage certificate.
See also:
Unable to achieve a Standard identity strength
Employees and authorised access
If you're unable to achieve a Standard myGovID you'll need to complete some extra steps. A principal authority or authorisation administrator will need to authorise you to access our online services on behalf of the business or entity using a Basic myGovID.
Next steps:
Business directors or associates
If you're a principal authorityExternal Link you'll need a Standard myGovID to link your business in RAM.
If you're unable to achieve a Standard myGovID, check whether another principal authority is able to, so they can link the business in RAM.
If no principal authority is able to achieve a Standard myGovID, then you won't be able to use myGovID at this time. You can use alternative lodgment options, such as cloud-based Standard Business Reporting (SBR)-enabled software or a registered tax agent. We are continuing to expand the identity documents you can use to establish your identity, so you may be able to use myGovID in future.
Link your myGovID to an ABN in RAM
To access our online services on behalf of a business or entity, your myGovID needs to be linked to the Australian business number (ABN) in RAM.
Find out how to link your myGovID to a business or entity in RAM by selecting your role:
Principal authority (including primary person)
As the principal authority, you need to start the process for a business or entity by linking your ABN to your myGovID in RAM. The principal authorityExternal Link is either a:
- sole trader
- eligible individual associate listed on an ABN in the Australian Business Register (ABR) such as a trustee, director or 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 or Australian charity.
Once linked, you can access our online services on behalf of your business or entity and start authorising others to act on behalf of your business or entity.
Next steps:
Authorised user or administrator
If you access our online services on behalf of a business or entity, you'll need to set up a myGovID. You'll use your myGovID to log into RAM and accept an authorisation to act on behalf of a business or entity online.
Authorisation administrators are able to set up authorisations for others in RAM.
See also:
Business software user
If you use Standard Business Reporting (SBR)-enabled software to interact with our online services, you'll need a machine credential.
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 credential using RAM.
Before creating a machine credential, the principal authority needs to set up a myGovID and link their ABN in RAM. They can then create a machine credential or authorise a machine credential administrator to do so.
Next steps:
See also:
Support
Fact sheets
Videos
For further support see the 'Help' sections on the:
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.
Find out how to use myGovID and Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM) to access our online services for a business or entity.