Access ATO online services securely with myID
The Australian Government’s myID app is the most secure way to prove who you are when accessing ATO online services through myGov.
Using myID to access our online services will automatically set your online access strength and help protect your personal information against identity crime, including tax fraud.
Follow these steps to secure your sign-in:
- Set up your myIDExternal Link to a Strong or Standard identity strength – if you already have a myID, go to Step 2.
- Go to myGovExternal Link, select Sign in with Digital ID and follow the prompts to sign in and connect your myID.
- Select Australian Taxation Office from your linked services – your online access strength is now set based on the identity strength of your myID (either Strong or Standard).
Continue using your myID with the same (or higher) identity strength when accessing our online services in future.
Keep using the highest online access strength
Once you’ve accessed ATO online services using your myID, you've set your online access strength and should continue using your myID to sign in. This is because it’s the most secure access method.
Your online access strength is based on the identity strength of your myID when you signed in. For example, if you sign in using a myID with a Strong identity strengthExternal Link, your online access strength will be Strong. Whenever you sign in to ATO online services, you’ll need to use your Strong myID.
If you disconnect your myID from your myGov account or unlink from the ATO, your online access strength is not affected. This means if you later attempt to relink or access ATO online services you will need to use your myID (with the same or higher identity strength). Your online access strength remains in place to protect you against identity crime, including tax fraud.
Your online access strength only applies to ATO online services through myGov or the ATO app. It doesn't apply to your myGov account or other linked services.
Stronger is better
Strong is the highest level of identity strength and online access strength you can achieve. If you can, we recommend you secure your sign in with Strong.
There are 3 online access strengths:
- Strong – you signed in to ATO online services using a myID with Strong identity strength.
- Standard – you signed in to ATO online services using a myID with Standard identity strength.
- Not set – you used an alternative sign-in method to access ATO online services, for example a code sent by SMS, passkey or the myGov code generator app.
You can view your online access strength under Personal details in ATO online services or My details in the ATO app.
Set your online access strength to Strong by simply increasing your identity strength in the myID app to StrongExternal Link and using it to access ATO online services. Strong identity strength is more secure as it requires you to verify both your ID documents and photo in the app.
Why should I use myID?
Using your myID to link to or sign in to ATO online services:
- provides better account security – unlike multifactor authentication, myID requires you to verify your ID in the app making it harder for fraudsters to impersonate you
- gives you a flexible sign-in option – your myID isn't locked to a specific mobile number or device, so you can use it if you get a new phone number, don't have mobile phone coverage or are overseas
- sets your online access strength – which means you need to continue using your myID (with the same or higher identity strength) to access ATO online services through myGov. This is because it's the most secure access method.
Compromised accounts
Using a Strong myID is the most secure way to access ATO online services and helps protect yourself against further identity crime, including tax fraud.
If your identity has been compromised in the past and you have additional security measures on your ATO online services account, there are extra benefits to setting your Strong online access strength.
By signing in using a Strong myIDExternal Link, you or your registered agent no longer need to contact us each time you want to access ATO online services.
You can find further support at Get secure and ongoing access online with myID.
Need more help?
Check out our Set your online access strength with myID fact sheets. These walk you through the set-up process and explain important information.
Support is also available:
- if you're having trouble verifying your IDExternal Link in the myID app
- if you need to set up your myID againExternal Link (for example, on a new phone)
- if you've received the error that your sign in method doesn't meet minimum access requirements
- to help you with issues you experience when accessing or linking to ATO online services.