Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM) is the Australian Government service that lets you act online for a business. You sign in with a Digital ID such as myID, link your ABN once, then authorise staff or advisers to use government online services on the business's behalf. To link a business online as a principal authority, your myID needs a Strong identity strength.
That Strong requirement is where most people get stuck. A Standard myID is enough to act for a business once someone has authorised you, but not to link the business online yourself. If you can't get to Strong, there's a phone route instead.
Here's the whole process in the order you'll do it.
Who can link a business in RAM
You link the business as its principal authority, the person responsible for it. RAM lists:
- a sole trader,
- an eligible individual associate on the ABN in the Australian Business Register, such as a director, trustee, partner, public officer or office bearer of a club or association,
- a primary person, where no individual associates are listed, holding a role such as director or public officer of a corporate trustee, authorised contact of a government entity, or executor of a deceased estate after probate.
Step 1: get the right Digital ID strength
| What you want to do | Identity strength needed |
|---|---|
| Link your business online as a principal authority | Strong |
| Link your business by another method, if you can't link online | At least Standard |
| Act for a business as an authorisation administrator or authorised user | At least Standard |
| Act for a business as a Basic user | Basic, but only for services that accept it |
Currently myID is the identity provider RAM uses. The strength also has to meet the minimum for the service you'll use, so a Basic user can't reach a service that needs Standard or Strong.
Step 2: link your business online
Before you start, check your details are up to date on the Australian Business Register. You need to be listed as the sole trader or an eligible individual associate, and your name must match the name on your Digital ID. Then:
- Sign in to RAM with your Digital ID and select Link my business, giving consent to be redirected to the ATO to find your business.
- Add your personal postal or residential address as the ATO holds it.
- Select the business or businesses you want to link.
- Enter an email address, which can differ from your myID email, and verify it with the code sent to you.
- Review the summary, accept the declarations and submit.
Once linked, your authorisation type shows as Principal authority, and any other principal authorities already linked get an email telling them you've linked.
To check the ABN you're linking, use my guide to ABN Lookup.
If you can't link online
If you're a primary person, or you can't link online, RAM's alternative is a phone proof-of-identity check. You need at least a Standard myID, and your name must match official records. For up to 7 businesses, phone 1300 287 539, select option 3 then option 1 during operating hours. After the checks, you'll get an email with an authorisation code, which you must accept within 7 days by selecting Accept an authorisation for a business in RAM. For 8 or more businesses, there's a bulk form after the same phone check.
Links made this way show as Government representative, Indirect associate or Responsible authority and last up to 12 months, with email reminders before they expire.
Step 3: authorise staff, bookkeepers or advisers
Principal authorities and authorisation administrators can add others. Before you do, check with the person that their Digital ID strength meets the services you'll give them, their full name matches their Digital ID, and their business email is only accessible by them.
- In RAM, select View or manage authorisations, machine credentials and cloud software notifications.
- Pick the business and select Add new user.
- Choose Standard user for a Standard or Strong myID, or Basic user for Basic.
- Decide whether they should be an authorisation administrator or machine credential administrator, or just an authorised user.
- Tick the organisations and services they can access, then send the request.
Basic users can only be authorised for up to 12 months at a time, and only limited services accept them.
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When someone leaves the business
Because you can change or remove authorisations at any time, make it part of your offboarding checklist. Remove a departing employee's access on their last day, and check whether they were an authorisation administrator, since administrators can create and manage access for other people. If a bookkeeper or adviser stops working with you, do the same. Your own access as a principal authority stays in place unless you're removed as an eligible individual associate of the business in the Australian Business Register.
If the link fails, see my guide to linking the ATO to myGov.
Why it's worth setting up
RAM's own pitch is simple: link once and you get easier access to tax, grant applications and employee super services, with less paperwork. You can also view, change or remove anyone's access at any time, which matters when a staff member leaves. Our guide to super for sole traders covers one of the services you'll reach through it.
Only approve a myID request you started yourself, because scammers copy government prompts. Here's how to spot a myGov scam.
My advice: give each person the least access they need and review it every quarter. It takes five minutes and stops old logins becoming a back door.
Frequently asked questions
What is Relationship Authorisation Manager?
RAM is the government service that lets you act online for a business. You link your ABN using a Digital ID like myID and authorise others to act for the business.
What myID strength do I need for RAM?
Strong to link your business online as a principal authority. At least Standard to link another way, or to act for a business once authorised.
How do I link my business in RAM without a Strong myID?
With at least a Standard myID, phone 1300 287 539, select option 3 then option 1, complete a proof-of-identity check, then accept the emailed code within 7 days.
Can my accountant use RAM for my business?
Yes. As a principal authority you can authorise them as a Standard user and choose which services they can access.
How long does a RAM authorisation code last?
Codes sent after a phone link must be accepted within 7 days.
