To log in to myGov, go to my.gov.au, select Sign in and choose one of 3 options: your Digital ID (such as myID), a passkey, or your myGov username and password plus a code. Passkeys and myID are the most secure choices, and if you can't get a code by SMS, either of them will still get you in.
Most people only ever use the username, password and SMS code route, so it's the one that breaks most often. myGov now pushes everyone towards passkeys and Digital ID, and once you've set one up you can switch your password off entirely.
Below is each sign in option, the fixes for the problems myGov's own help pages list most, and the one setting that can quietly unlink the ATO from your account.
The 3 ways to sign in to myGov
| Option | What you use | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Digital ID (myID) | The myID app plus a 4-digit code shown in your browser | You need at least a Standard ID strength and your Digital ID connected to myGov first |
| Passkey | Your phone or computer's fingerprint, face recognition, PIN or a security key | You can register up to 3 passkeys in one myGov account |
| myGov sign in details | Username and password plus a code by SMS, an authenticator app or the myGov Code Generator | The myGov Code Generator app is being retired, so pick another code option |
There's also a fourth fallback: secret questions and answers. myGov calls it the least secure option, and it isn't enough for some linked services, which matters more than people expect (see the ATO section below).
How to sign in with a passkey
A passkey replaces your password with your device's own security, such as Face ID, a fingerprint or your screen lock. You'll need an Apple device on iOS 16, iPadOS 16 or macOS Ventura or later, an Android device on Android 9 or later, Chrome or Edge on Windows, or ChromeOS.
To create one, sign in the usual way first, then:
- Select My account or Menu, then Account settings.
- Under Sign in settings, go to Passkeys and select Manage.
- Select Create passkey and follow the prompts to verify your account.
- Follow your device's prompts, then select Save.
Next time, go to my.gov.au, select Sign in, then Sign in with passkey. myGov says to create passkeys only on a trusted device you own and don't share.
The catch most people hit is syncing. A passkey saved in your password manager (say, iCloud Keychain) works on your other devices that use the same password manager. A passkey saved on one device or a security key only works there, and devices with different password managers won't share it, so you'll need a passkey on each.
How to sign in with myID
Your Digital ID has to be set up, at Standard strength or higher, and connected to myGov before this works. Then:
- On the myGov sign in page, select Sign in with Digital ID.
- Choose myID and enter your myID email address.
- Select Get code. A 4-digit code appears in your browser.
- Open the myID app with your password, face or fingerprint, then enter or accept the code.
- Review your details and select Consent.
If you sign in with myID and then link or open the ATO, that sets your online access strength. From then on you'll need myID at the same or a higher strength every time you open ATO online services. It doesn't affect myGov itself or your other linked services. Our guide to the Australian tax return deadline covers what you'll usually be signing in to do there.
Signing in with your username and password
Your username can be your unique myGov username (2 letters followed by 6 numbers, emailed when you created the account), your email address, or your mobile number if you've set it up. Then you add a code from SMS, an authenticator app or the Code Generator. If you'd rather use an authenticator, our walkthrough of how to use Google Authenticator shows how those 6-digit codes work.
Your password needs 10 to 64 characters, at least one letter and one number, and no repeated or sequential runs like AAAA or 1234. myGov suggests a passphrase instead: at least 4 random words, plus numbers or symbols, at least 14 characters long.
Common myGov login problems and fixes
Your SMS code didn't arrive
myGov's checklist: check you've got reception, turn flight mode off, restart your phone, make sure it has storage free for messages, check blocked or junk folders, and update its software. If none of that works, use myID, a passkey or the myGov app instead.
Your email or mobile stopped working as a username
This one confuses lots of people. If myGov detects unusual sign in activity, it turns off your email address and mobile number as usernames. You then can't sign in with them, and password reset codes won't arrive by email or SMS. You'll need your unique myGov username and current password, which you can get with Forgot username.
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Your account is locked
Too many wrong attempts locks the account, and myGov emails you your unique username. Enter that username and your current password, select the button to open your locked account, then enter your security code, answer your secret question and set a new password. Until you've done this, myID, passkeys and the myGov app won't work either.
Nothing works
If your account isn't locked, you can recover it with your Digital ID. If it's locked and you can't open it, myGov says you'll need to create a new account and relink your services. To reuse the same email address, contact the myGov helpdesk.
The relinking steps are in my guide to linking the ATO to myGov.
The setting that can unlink the ATO
The ATO and the NDIS need more security than secret questions. If you remove your last passkey and your only other option is secret questions, myGov unlinks the ATO online service and NDIS from your account. Before you remove a passkey, make sure you've got another strong option like myID or an authenticator in place.
You also can't remove a passkey while you're signed in with it. Sign out, sign back in with your password or Digital ID, then remove it.
A stronger identity strength comes from myID, and my guide to setting up myID explains it.
My advice
Set up a synced passkey on your phone and connect myID, then switch your password off. You'll still need the password for a few settings, like your secret questions and recovering your account, so store it in a password manager rather than forgetting it. And if a text asks you to sign in through a link, don't tap it: type my.gov.au in yourself.
Frequently asked questions
What are the ways to log in to myGov?
There are 3 sign in options: a Digital ID such as myID, a passkey, or your myGov username and password with a code from SMS, an authenticator or the myGov Code Generator. Secret questions are a fallback, and myGov calls them the least secure option.
Why can't I log in to myGov with my email address?
If myGov detects unusual sign in activity, it turns off your email address and mobile number as usernames. Use Forgot username to get your unique myGov username, then sign in with that and your current password.
How many passkeys can you register on myGov?
You can register up to 3 passkeys in one myGov account. If you use a physical security key, myGov recommends creating more than one passkey in case the key is lost or stolen.
What strength of myID do I need for myGov?
You need at least a Standard ID strength, and your Digital ID must be connected to your myGov account before you can use it to sign in.
Is the myGov Code Generator app still available?
The myGov Code Generator app is being retired. myGov suggests switching to your Digital ID, a passkey or the myGov app as your way to sign in.
