Sign in issues
You may not be able to sign in to your myGov account because you:
- changed your mobile phone number
- went overseas and no longer have access to your Australian mobile number
- deleted the myGov Code Generator app
- can't answer your secret question
- forgot your password.
If you forget your password, reset it by selecting Forgot password on the myGov sign in page.
When you can't sign in to your myGov account, you can either:
- recover your account using myID
- sign in using a passkey, if you've created one
- create a new myGov account and relink to the ATO.
Recover your account using myID
If you used a code sent by SMS, Answer a secret question or the myGov Code Generator app as your sign in method, you can use myID to recover your account.
To recover your myGov account, download the myID app and set it up to a Strong identity strengthExternal Link.
Your name, date of birth and email address for your myGov account must match the details you use to set up your myID.
After you set up your myID, you can recover your account:
- Go to the myGov sign inExternal Link page.
- Enter your username and password and select Sign in.
- Select I didn’t get my code, I can't answer my question or I can't access my app.
- Select Continue with Digital ID.
- Sign in with your myID – you'll need to enter the code that appears on screen in your app.
Once you’ve recovered your account, if you access ATO online services with your Strong myID you’ll set your online access strength. This means you must always access ATO online services using your Strong myID. This is because it's the most secure access method.
Create a new myGov account and relink to the ATO
If you can't recover your account using myID, you need to create a new myGov account and relink to the ATO.
You can choose to use a different email address when creating your new account. If you want to use the same email address, the myGov help desk must release it. Contact the myGov help desk:
- In Australia, phone 13 23 07 and select option 1.
- Outside Australia, phone +61 1300 169 468.
Avoid losing access in future
Where you can, we recommend using myID for secure and flexible access to ATO online services.
If you're unable or choose not to use myID, we recommend enabling a back-up sign in option:
- In myGov, go to My account.
- Select Account settings.
- Select Sign in settings and follow the prompts.