How to Create a myGov Account in 2026: Link ATO, Centrelink and Medicare

A photo of a smartphone held in hand showing the myGov login interface, with an Australian office background

Last updated: July 2026 | Reading time: 10 min

myGov is the single account that connects you to almost every Australian government service you'll ever need — tax returns, Centrelink payments, Medicare, superannuation, and more. If you're new to Australia, or you've been putting off setting it up, getting this sorted properly saves an enormous amount of time and frustration later.

The setup itself takes about 15 minutes. The confusion usually comes from not knowing which services to link, or hitting an identity verification step without the right documents. This guide walks through the whole process clearly so you get it right the first time.

What Is myGov?

myGov (my.gov.au) is an Australian Government portal that gives you secure online access to a range of federal government services through a single login. Instead of creating separate accounts for the ATO, Centrelink, Medicare, and other agencies, you link them all to one myGov account and access everything from one place.

It's free to create, free to use, and you keep the same account for life regardless of how your circumstances change.

myGov vs myID: These are different services. myGov lets you access participating government services in one place. myID is the Australian Government’s Digital ID app, which can be used to prove your identity online and can also be connected as a myGov sign-in option.

What You Can Do Through myGov

🧾

Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

Lodge your tax return, check your refund status, view your income statements, manage your HECS debt, access the FHSS scheme, and update your bank details.

→ Tax return guide

🏛

Centrelink (Services Australia)

Apply for JobSeeker, Family Tax Benefit, Child Care Subsidy, Parenting Payment, and other government support payments. Report income, update details, and manage claims.

→ JobSeeker guide

💊

Medicare

View your Medicare claims history, update your bank account for Medicare rebates, manage your Medicare card, and check safety net status.

🏥

My Health Record

View your health records, pathology results, medication history, and share records with healthcare providers securely.

🎓

Australian Student Loans

Check your HECS-HELP debt balance, view repayment history, and manage study loan details.

→ HECS guide

🏠

Housing

Access the First Home Super Saver scheme, request FHSS determinations, and manage related applications through the ATO portal.

→ FHSS guide

Step 1 — Create Your myGov Account

You can create a myGov account using an email address or an eligible myID Digital ID. This guide focuses on the email setup method because it is the most familiar option for many new users.

1

Go to my.gov.au Open a browser and go to my.gov.au. Click "Create a myGov account." Don't use a third-party app or link — always go directly to the official site.
2

Choose the email setup option and enter your email address Use an email address you check regularly and have long-term access to. myGov sends important notifications here, including security codes and payment confirmations.
3

Verify your email A verification code is sent to your email. Enter it on the myGov site to confirm your address.
4

Create a password Choose a strong password — at least 8 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Write it down somewhere secure.
5

Set up a secret question or passphrase This is used to recover your account if you lose access. Choose something memorable but not easily guessable.
6

Set your sign-in option You can choose to receive a one-time code via email or SMS each time you log in (two-factor authentication). SMS is more convenient; email works if you don't want to give your mobile number.

Use a personal email, not a work or university address. If you lose access to a work or uni email when you change jobs or graduate, you can get locked out of myGov. Use a Gmail, Outlook, or other personal address you'll always have.

Step 2 — Link the ATO to myGov

This is the most important link for most people — it gives you access to your tax return, income statements, HECS balance, and super information.

1

From your myGov dashboard, click "Link a service" You'll see a list of available government services. Select "Australian Taxation Office."
2

Choose your identity verification method The ATO will ask you to verify your identity using information they already hold. You'll need to answer two questions from a list of options.
3

Verification options — choose two Common options include: your Tax File Number plus date of birth, details from a previous Notice of Assessment, a bank account where you've received a tax refund, or details of a super fund account linked to your TFN.
4

Confirm the link Once verified, the ATO appears in your linked services. Click on it to access your ATO account directly.

Linking the ATO for the first time:

Have your TFN and personal details ready. During the linking process, the ATO may ask questions based on information it already holds about you.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be asked about:

Your Tax File Number (TFN)
A Notice of Assessment
An Australian bank account
A superannuation account
A Centrelink payment summary
A dividend statement

The questions vary depending on your tax history, so not everyone will receive the same verification questions.

Step 3 — Link Centrelink

Link Centrelink if you're receiving or planning to apply for any government support payments — JobSeeker, Family Tax Benefit, Child Care Subsidy, Parenting Payment, or others.

1

Click "Link a service" and select Centrelink From your myGov dashboard, add Centrelink to your linked services.
2

Verify your identity Centrelink requires identity verification using your Customer Reference Number (CRN) if you have one, or by answering questions about your personal details. If you've never dealt with Centrelink before, you may need to visit a Services Australia service centre in person with identity documents to create your record first.
3

Access Centrelink through myGov Once linked, you can make claims, report income, update your details, and manage payments directly through your myGov account.

Step 4 — Link Medicare

1

Click "Link a service" and select Medicare
2

Enter your Medicare card details You'll need your Medicare card number, the individual reference number (the number next to your name on the card), and your date of birth.
3

Confirm your name and expiry date Medicare will verify these against their records. Once confirmed, Medicare is added to your linked services.

Once Medicare is linked: Check that your bank account details are current so eligible Medicare benefits can be paid correctly. Depending on how the provider submits the claim, you may still need to lodge or review a claim through Medicare.

Keeping Your Account Secure

myGov holds access to your tax information, government payments, and health records — it's worth protecting properly.

Never share your myGov login details with anyone, including family members. Each person should have their own account.
Use two-factor authentication — the SMS or email code requirement on each login is an important security layer.
Be alert to scams. The Australian Government will never ask for your myGov password, TFN, or banking details via text message or email. If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from myGov or the ATO, report it to Scamwatch and don't click any links.
Update your contact details when you change your phone number or email address. If your contact details are wrong, you can lose access to your account.

ATO impersonation scams are common in Australia. The real ATO will never threaten you with immediate arrest, demand payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, or ask you to click a link to verify your myGov details. If something feels wrong, hang up and call the ATO directly on 13 28 61.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Locked out of your account

Too many failed login attempts will lock your account temporarily. Wait 30 minutes and try again, or use the "Forgot password" option to reset via your registered email.

Can't receive your sign-in code

Check your spam/junk folder if using email codes. If using SMS and not receiving it, confirm your mobile number is correct in your myGov account settings. If you've changed phone numbers and can't access your old number, call the myGov helpdesk on 13 23 07.

Identity verification failing when linking ATO

The information you enter must match exactly what the ATO holds. Common issues: name entered differently (e.g., middle name included or excluded), wrong financial year for a Notice of Assessment, or using a bank account that didn't receive a government payment. Try a different verification combination or call the ATO on 13 28 61 for help linking manually.

Can't find a service to link

Not all government services are available through myGov — state government services (like transport, housing, or licensing) are generally separate. myGov covers federal services only.

Common Questions

Can I share my myGov account with my partner or spouse? ▼

No — each person must have their own myGov account. Sharing accounts is against the terms of use and creates serious security risks. Your myGov account contains your personal tax, health, and financial information that is specific to you. If your partner needs help, they should create their own account and you can help them through the setup process.

I'm new to Australia — can I create a myGov account? ▼

Yes — anyone can create a myGov account with just an email address. The challenge comes when linking services like the ATO, which requires identity verification using information the ATO already holds. If you've just arrived and have a TFN but no Australian tax history yet, linking the ATO can be difficult online. In this case, call the ATO on 13 28 61 and they can help link your account manually after verifying your identity over the phone.

Is myGov safe to use? ▼

myGov uses strong encryption and two-factor authentication, making it as secure as online banking. The risk comes from scams impersonating myGov, not from the platform itself. Always access myGov by typing my.gov.au directly into your browser rather than clicking links in emails or text messages. The official myGov site never asks for your password or TFN via email or SMS.

Can I use myGov on my phone? ▼

Yes. You can use myGov through a mobile browser or the official myGov app. The app lets you access linked services, manage Inbox messages, update account settings and store supported government cards and certificates in its digital wallet.

What if I forget which email I used to create my myGov account? ▼

Try all email addresses you regularly use. If you still can't find it, call the myGov helpdesk on 13 23 07 — they can help you recover access after verifying your identity. This is why using a permanent personal email address (not a work or university one) is so important when setting up the account.

What to Do Next

Once your myGov account is set up and your key services are linked, here's what you can do straight away:

Lodge your tax return — ATO → Tax → Lodge a tax return. Read our full guide.
Check your HECS balance — ATO → Manage study and training support loans. Read our HECS guide.
Apply for government payments — Centrelink → Make a claim. Read our JobSeeker guide.
Update your Medicare bank account — Medicare → Update bank details for faster rebates.
Check your super — ATO → Super → Manage your super to find lost super or check your fund details.

Sources: myGov (my.gov.au), Services Australia, ATO (ato.gov.au)

Disclaimer: This article is general information only. myGov features, linked services, and verification processes may change. Always refer to my.gov.au or call the myGov helpdesk on 13 23 07 for the most current information.

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