myGovID will be used to access your myGov account - confusing? Maybe a bit.

From 1 April 2020, myGovID will replace AUSkey as the new secure login service with the ATO and other government agencies. It's a new digital identity provider that utilises the security features on a user's device (such as fingerprint or face detection), allowing the user secure access to government online services.

It is currently in public beta testing phase and available for download across the Apple App Store and Google Play.

myGovID is different - but related - to the myGov account. myGov is essentially a portal where users gain access to a range of government services online. Many people will have created a myGov account to interact with Medicare, for example. The recent introduction of STP reporting has resulted in a large number of people setting up myGov accounts.

We are finding that many clients have discovered that once a myGov account is set up, the ATO sends their correspondence to that portal as their default communication channel - and clients don't always realise this until much later.

So, if you've set up a myGov account, you will likely receive SMS messages from the ATO regarding correspondence - but we suggest you always login to the site away from the SMS message (scammers love it when people click on links in messages - tips on how to spot a scam ).

posted 12/11/2019