myID & Relationship Authorisation Manager

The Auskey system that was used to access ATO services onlinewas retired on 30 March 2020. The new system is called myID. This is a quick guide on setting up myID and Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM) to access either the Tax Agent Portal or Business Portal.

Why is the ATO using myID?

myID (previously know as myGovID) is the Australian Government's Digital ID app, used to securely prove your identity when accessing many government online services. Modern security standards require multi-factor authentication to verify that the person who is logging in is who they say they are. Auskey did not meet those standards, especially where an Auskey was shared or attached to a desktop computer. Auskey also had extensive browser compatibility issues, could not be used on a mobile device, and had a difficult installation process.

Set Up Your myID Digital Identity

To access RAM you need a myGovID myID to login.

myID is your digital identity which makes it easier to prove who you are online. It's like a 100-point ID check but on your smart device. Use your myID to log in to selected government online services. myID is different to myGov.

Three easy steps to set up your myID

1. Download the myID app

Click the icons below or search myID in the App store or Google play. myID is only available for Apple and Android phones and tablets at this time, they plan to add more in time. To use the myGovID app you must have an active internet connection. Only download the myID app from the official app stores.

2. Enter your details

Open the myID app and follow the prompts. You will need to enter your full name, date of birth and email address. The email you use should be a personal email address not a work address. Your myID is yours as an individual and you may be granted access to various entities, personal and those associated with your work. You can only use identity documents once myID you can’t have multiple IDs.

3. Add your identity documents

The identity strength you require may differ depending on the government online service you want to access using your myID.

The ATO Portals requires Standard identity strength you need to add two Australian identity documents such as your:

• driver’s license or learner’s permit

• passport

• birth certificate

• Medicare card

If you want more info on myID, check out the official myID site.

Login To RAM & Link Your Entities

Login to RAM

Go to https://authorisationmanager.gov.au/#/login and login using your myID.

Go to Link your business and fill in your information and click continue. Follow the onscreen direction to link your entities such as trusts, companies, super funds, partnerships, or individual ABNs.

To be able to add your entities you need to be a Principal authority. The principal authority is a person responsible for the business, such as:

• a sole trader

• an eligible individual associate listed on an Australian business number (ABN) in the Australian Business Register (ABR) – for example a trustee, director, public officer, partner, or an office bearer of a club or association

• a primary person (no individual associates listed in the ABR) who needs to manually link an ABN in RAM, such as

• a government representative (authorised contact for a government agency, not including public schools)

• an indirect associate (corporate trustee, deceased estate)

• a responsible authority (company that uses an alternate director, association, not-for-profit or Australian charity, private or public school, including school council or board).

Manually link an ABN in RAM

• Phone 1300 287 539 and select option 3, then option 1 during operating hours

• you’ll need to provide personal details to complete a proof-of-identity check

• checks will be completed to confirm your association to the business

• once confirmed, you’ll receive an email with an authorisation code and summary of the authorisation request

• log into RAM using your myGovID to accept the request and complete the link.

As the principal authority, you need to link your business in RAM before you can authorise others to access government online services on behalf of your business.

Authorised Users & Administrators

To start using government online services on behalf of a business a principal authority or authorisation administrator will need to authorise you to act on behalf of a business.

You’ll be emailed an authorisation request to become one of the following:

• Authorisation administrator– a user who can create and manage authorisations for others

• Authorised user– a user who can work on behalf of a business

• Machine credential administrator (MCA) – a user who can create and manage machine credentials to interact with government online services through business software.

• Basic user– a user who can work on behalf of a business with a basic identity strength in myID. They will need to be re-authorised every 12 months. This is only available for a small number of participating government online services.

The actions you can perform are based on the level of access you've been given. This is either:

• Full access to selected government online services

• Custom access to selected government online services (currently limited to ATO services), or

• No access to selected government services.

Accepting an authorisation code

You'll receive an authorisation code and a summary of the authorisation request via email. Log in to RAM to accept or decline the request. You have seven days before the code expires. Once accepted, you can act on behalf of the business when accessing government online services. You can only have one authorisation for each business you are acting on behalf of. If you have an existing authorisation and accept a new authorisation request for the same business, this will override your existing authorisation.

Security

The Australian Government is serious about your safety and privacy online. You log in to RAM using a digital identity such as myID.

Together, RAM with myID:

• Protects your business, ensuring only you and authorised users can access a government online service and transact for the business

• Gives greater assurance and visibility over who is transacting for your business, enabling you to remove or modify an authorisation at any time

• Protects your identity data. The government online service can only identify who is making the transaction for the business, not your personal information.

Maintain your authorisations regularly and remove any that are no longer valid.

Staying safe online

Your personal information forms part of your identity. Here are some tips to stay safe online and protect your personal information:

• Be cautious with hyperlinks in SMS and emails

• Keep passwords secure and change them regularly

• Don’t share sensitive info via email

• Use antivirus software and keep it updated

• Practice good cyber hygiene

• Store personal documents securely and avoid carrying originals unless necessary